The earliest of fruits and vegetables have already made their way into the kitchen. The greens have grown well, though I think our Great Lakes lettuce is slightly bitter and I don't know that we will grow that variety again. The blackberries don't even make it into the kitchen, but are eaten right off the vines by my 6 year old who looks forward to blackberry season all year.
My husband recently brought home a Hatch chile pepper plant. I'm sure the locals are familiar with these New Mexican peppers which, in my opinion, totally live up to the hype. My Mother's Day lunch consisted of enchiladas filled with chicken, homegrown hatch chile peppers*, shiitake mushrooms and caramelized onions. The peppers made the dish. Even my husband admitted as much and he's indifferent to trendy foods.
Stone Fruit Tea Cake from Rustic Fruit Desserts (love this book!)
I made this Stone Fruit Tea Cake for tonight's movie watching date (The King's Speech, finally). I made the dough, wrapped half to freeze, then made this tiny version in a 6 inch cake pan. Modifications: I used a mixture of blueberries and strawberries that we froze last year. I also added maybe a half a teaspoon of orange extract and cut the vanilla to half a teaspoon. It is such a simple, earthy little cake. It's also super, super yummy. A perfect, not too sweet, after dinner treat. I love that it can be made with so many different fruits.
OK, I have to wrap up the housecleaning before my husband arrives so we can enjoy movie night. Happy Tuesday!
*One could argue that my Hatch chile peppers are not Hatch chile peppers because they were grown in my backyard. Technically, one would be correct.
how long did your hatch get? Mine first one grew 12" loong. looks like the others will get that long or longer
Posted by: Dawn | May 10, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Dawn, We cut it at about 9 inches I think. It may have grown more if we let it.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 10, 2011 at 07:31 PM
I'll be curious to know your opinion of The King's Speech. We liked it.
And, love the Hatch chili to add heat and flavor.
Posted by: Francis Shivone | May 10, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Yumm!
Posted by: Elisa | May 11, 2011 at 05:24 AM
We both really enjoyed the film. The acting was superb.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 11, 2011 at 05:37 AM
I've heard of Hatch chilis but never tried them. Now I'm curious.
The cake sounds delicious and looks lovely.
Posted by: MelanieB | May 11, 2011 at 05:44 AM
Have you ever used the dried hatch chilis? We brought some back with us when we visited Texas. These are authentic (from New Mexico), but I have no idea how to use them. I know I could google it, but I thought I'd ask.:)
Posted by: Grace | May 11, 2011 at 08:27 AM
The Stone Fruit Tea Cake sounds intriguing. I think I'd like to try that.
We, too, just recently watched The King's Speech and loved it. It's no wonder why it won so many awards. I'm reading the book now and really enjoying it as well.
Posted by: Kelly | May 11, 2011 at 09:05 AM
That looks so yummy!!!
We had our first salad with lettuce from the garden on mother's day, so nice!
Posted by: Amy Caroline | May 11, 2011 at 08:40 PM
You are killing me as we can't even plant anything yet and have been huddled around a fire all week refusing to turn the heat back on. Did I ever really complain about the weather in England?
Posted by: Bill | May 13, 2011 at 05:16 AM