FRIED GREEN JOY

If you are like me, the past week or so has been such a tomato tease! Every morning I am out in the garden like Christmas morning hoping for my tomatoes to be ready, comparing the description of them to what I can see on the vine, giving them a little squeeze that maybe they are softening. The grape Juliette's are just turning, I can't help picking them and bringing them in so I can watch them change color on my counter. I am drawn to every recipe that features this almighty fruit, but only frustrated that it's just not time yet!!!! Waiting, thinking about tomorrow, this weekend, next week....

Black Vernissage

Dester

bounty on the counter

My sister was coming for brunch yesterday and I wanted to make something special that would be so delicious that she and her husband would hurry back.....I love being with them! I woke up dreaming about the luscious BLTs with a SilverSun Ranch fresh-laid fried egg we had last summer, but was again reminded that my tomatoes are still green. Then it hit me "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade"....or in this case...

Fried Green Tomatoes

What a blast, not only because I was getting a tomato fix, but I was creating something new. I got around the problem of waiting for tomorrow and putting off my joy. Sterling, my sister and her husband all got into this creation, made suggestions and waited with anticipation as we fried the tomatoes. With smiles we ate our creation....the crunchy exterior with a tangy, soft center of the tomatoes, the salty, richness of the bacon, the creamy spice of the Remoulade and a runny yoke.

Although we were completely satisfied, we had to try the tomatoes on their own with each person's favorite pepper sauce.....mine being Chipotle Tabasco.

Go with the flow, modify, create and get your JOY today and everyday!

FRIED GREEN BLT

3/4 cup Mayonnaise

1/4 Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon pickle juice (sweet or dill, your choice)

several shakes pepper sauce (this is to your taste)

1 teaspoon horseradish

4 large Green tomatoes (you will want extra slices with hot pepper sauce!)

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 egg beaten

1/2 cup buttermilk or milk

1 cup Panko 

1/4 cup high heat oil

8 slices Applewood smoked bacon, but you can always have more pork!

4 eggs

1 Avocado sliced

6-8 Romaine lettuce leaves 

1 cup Micro Arugula

Mini pan rustic or favorite bread

sea salt

ground pepper

Mix first 6 items together and let set for an hour or two so the flavors come together. This is essentially a Remoulade sauce, but be creative and add what sounds delish to you!

Cut tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices, salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 

With 3 shallow bowls mix flour and Cajun seasoning in bowl #1, egg and buttermilk or milk in bowl #2, and panko in bowl #3. 

Heat oil in large skillet. dip tomatoes in bowl order and place in skillet. Don't crowd or they will steam and not get crispy. Once brown on both sides, place in a dish with a paper towel in a slightly warm oven.

Cook bacon.....your joy, bendy or crispy.

Fry eggs sunny side up. I love them runny.

Bread...toasted or not.

Lavish Remoulade on bread.

Layer on bread the bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado, fried egg, sprinkle micro arugula, sea salt and ground pepper. If you put the top layer of bread make sure it has Remoulade sauce too.

Glass of cold white wine.

JOY!!!!

Serves 4

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

BAD HAIR DAY ?

PRUNE

Like us, plants can have bad hair days. Maybe they need water or nutrients, but often it is just the need for a good pruning or cleaning up. How would you like a spent, brown flower or leaf hanging off your finger?

I grew up not liking Geraniums. That was until I traveled to Italy and experience how beautiful this plant can be. It's almost fluorescent flower against the deep green leaf trailing down an ancient wall.

What made the Italian Geranium so spectacular was that they are honored and maintained. The dead flowers and leafs are always removed not only allowing the plant to shine, but also giving it room to shoot out another glorious bloom. Once I got this, my love affair began and I have been taking pickings from everywhere, sharing them with all that appreciate their beauty. They are so easy to start, as are begonias, another flower love of mine and so very tolerant.

BUT this all began with the simple lesson of pruning.

It is a sort of magic....it lightens the load, brings new life and can be so rewarding for the plant and you. A silent meditation, a mental cleansing and for sure, instant gratification at the huge difference you make.

My best escape at the annual family lake trip when the sibling rivalries are peaking, is to take a mental vacation and clean and prune my mother-in-laws huge Geraniums. I can concentrate on a affirmation or simply just zone out. Yikes, now they will know my secret!

It can also be a rediscovery. You would be surprised what lies under or behind an unruly plant. The other day while deadheading my iceberg roses and re-noticed the lovely trunk of a white birch tree hidden the roses. In a few short minutes, not only were the roses now shimmering with movement, but a second dimension was uncover behind them.

Now is a perfect time to take a look around and see who is hiding and needs a summer trim? Spring has done it's job growing and a good haircut before the hot summer months when energy needs to be stored will be much appreciated.

* prune early in the morning, same for cutting flowers or edibles

* make sure your shears are clean an sharp.

* rose and really woody trimming should not go into the compost........DO you have one? If not, this is a perfect day to start one.

* dress appropriately. I love to bikini garden, but is not it. You will be reaching into dark spots and handling a lot of sticky, sharp foliage. Cover your arms and legs. Use a salve on your hands before putting on your gloves. ALWAYS wear glasses and sunscreen.

* thank your garden before you start.

While your are pruning your physical garden, consider what else needs to be cleaned up or pruned in your life. A closet, a job or "friend" that makes you nuts, saps your energy or is just so overwhelming you are stuck and not living your full potential or enjoying it?

Some are easily repaired with a little effort, folding the pile of t-shirts neatly, making a TO DO list or having an honest conversation with your "friend". Although sometimes it is more drastic and a hard prune is necessary.

I recently faced this with a "friend". I was feeling sapped of energy and unproductive and realized that this "friend" I was spending a lot of time with really didn't like me. She spent most of our time together criticizing me if I didn't respond in a emotional manner she felt was right or teasing me in a subtle, but hurtful way. The other part of the time she spoke negatively about her other "friends", family and the world. The relationship was not enriching or fluid with a give and take that comes so easily with my other friends. In fact, most of my other friends didn't want to be around this person. I tried to set my boundaries and speak honestly about my needs to see if my "friend" would come half way, no luck and in fact it was met with high drama, another wasted energy. SO, even though the circumstances would be challenging, I removed this evasive and negative plant from my garden of friends. It was miraculous how much unperceived stress this relieved! I don't dread a text, my morning walk or a weekend of hiding out. I have no ill will toward her and wish her the desperate healing she needs. When our paths cross, I will be kind, but I am not sacrificing myself, my family or friends and perpetuate a negative energy.

We all deserve the best and can only obtain it with belief and practice.



"Give a lot, expect a lot, and if you don't get it, prune" Thomas J Peters