Papa’s Corn Salad

Remember Corn Salad – Lessons From a Lifetime of Cooking #5 ?

Well, I’ve already doctored up the recipe and made a batch to go along with a grilled burger. You’ll need:

  • One 10 ounce package of frozen organic corn
  • 1 or 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/ 4 cup red onion, finely minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded cut into small cubes
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • about 1 tsp honey
  • 1 handful fresh rinsed and minced parsley,
  • 1 handful fresh rinsed and minced basil
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Do this:

  • Put the bag of corn in the microwave and do not follow the instructions on the bag
  • Cook for four minutes, carefully remove the bag from the microwave, open while not trying to burn yourself, dump into a colander and rinse with cold water. Allow to drain and dry.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix the dressing ingredients lime juice, vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the garlic and red onion. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Add the corn, tomatoes, cucumber, basil, parsley. Toss.
  • Cover and refrigerate. Serve lightly chilled or at room temperature.

You’ll have enough for four healthy servings. Don’t forget the Feta cheese or forget the Feta cheese if you want to keep the salad vegan.

Took a taste. Nailed it.

(again, this is not an actual picture of the salad but an AI generated picture of the salad which looks awfully close to the real thing)

The Tomato Plant – 2014 Final Update

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The final tomato.  As you can see, the plant has stopped budding, all flowers have fallen off, and there has been no new growth for some time.

2014 Summary – 6 total fruit, 3 edible.

(unless this little fella ripens…)

The two pots of basil also did not do well.  Some folks have no difficulties growing basil  I seem to have the opposite effect on herbs.  The purple basil died during a short heat spell.  The other sweet basil plant (you can see the tip of the plant in the SW corner of the picture) is anemic.

Reminds me of the summer I tried to grow cilantro.  It’s easier for me to pay fifty cents at the store when I want fresh cilantro.

Memo to Self – scratch “farmer” of list of possible second act careers.

The Tomato Plant – 07.29.14

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We harvested our first tomatoes from the plant.  They actually came off the plant several days ago but I couldn’t bring myself to eat them.

But tonight that all changed.

TACOS!  Simple, fast, yummy.

The big boy got cut up.  The little one was spared.

Update 08.04.14

I broke down and ate the little one yesterday.

The Tomato Plant 06.17.14

Tomato Plant 06.17.14

My little green tomato has a new little buddy. The leaves and stalks eaten by the flea beetles have wilted and died off the vine. Our friends from across the street have experience with garden tomatoes. I was warned about squirrels and birds.

Huh???

Happy Father’s Day 2014

Someone gave my wife and several of her coworkers tomato plants.  While some folks didn’t want to have anything to do with a tomato plant, the tiny, green six inch tall plant came home one night.  It was re-gifted to me.  I decided to stick it in a pot and see if I could grow tomatoes.  The tomato plant got big real quick.  Which brings me to Father’s Day.  I never thought I would be out on Father’s Day buying a tomato cage and something to dissuade flea beetles from eating my plant.

Nothing in life is free.  The bug stuff and cage cost over $15.00.

I have a classic case of the brown thumb and can kill any plant assigned to me for care.  I hope I get some tomatoes out of this.