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Magic in the Decay: Composting My Way

September 26, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner 3 Comments

Composting 101Shortly after moving into our Fayetteville home, we built a compost. I’m happy to report I have finally started using it. It took me a while to get my ducks in a row because a) during winter we had very little yard clippings to add, and b) I couldn’t get my ducks in a row. Composting 101 (my way)–that’s today’s topic. There’s magic in decay. Lots of magic.Continue Reading

Roasted Okra with Mint and Black-Eyed Peas

July 8, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 15 Comments

Roasted Okra with Mint - perfect summer dish!

I’m here to set the record straight. Okra doesn’t have to be slimy. Nor must it be deep fried. I know, I know, that sounds impossible, doesn’t it? I love fried okra, sometimes crave it even, but I rarely fry anything at home. Simple, roasted okra is delicious.

This is my favorite okra recipe, my “go-to” potluck, supper on the ground, picnic dish. I’m confident you will agree this is the perfect summer grilling menu side dish. Plus the recipe includes black-eyed peas. Think of all the extra luck you’ll have. Last week after I made this dish for a neighborhood get together, I won a pair of boots! No kidding, here’s a picture of my new boots.

Old Gringo Boots - Flair & Company

Old Gringo Boots – Flair and Company

 

Now back to the recipe.

I found this recipe via a Central Market cooking class several years ago. With inexpensive veggies easily obtained at your local grocery store (or from your own garden), there’s no reason not to give this a try. Add blackened shrimp on top. Mix in a scoop of rice. This recipe is easily adaptable.

Roasted Okra with Mint and Black-Eyed Peas

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Roasted Okra & Peas with Mint

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh (or frozen) black-eyed peas
  • 1 pound fresh okra, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into one inch pieces
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. If using fresh peas, blanch 2 minutes in boiling salted water. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge into an ice bath to cool. Drain and dry. If using frozen, let them thaw in a colander and dry.
  2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  3. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss to mix well. Spread onto an oiled jelly-roll pan and roast 8 minutes. Turn veggies with a spatula and roast another 6 minutes. Serve hot.
3.1
https://gracegritsgarden.com/2014/07/roasted-okra-peas-mint.html

You can substitute black-eyed peas with crowder peas, field peas, butter beans, or lima beans. I used small purple onions from my garden, as well as a combination of Roma and cherry tomatoes. The one thing you must NOT omit is the mint. Mint is the key to this dish.

Roasted Okra with Mint and Black Eyed Peas

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Summertime – Norah Jones

 

photo session with a garden hose

May 29, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 27 Comments

I had a photo session in the garden yesterday with my photographer/gardener friend Jerry (Jmac Images). I needed a head shot photo for various blogger events (or so I’m always told), so I bit the bullet and “posed”. Awkward for me. Just ask Jerry.

Until I put on gardening gloves and grabbed the hose. Then it was fun.

Here are a couple of my favorites.

Grace Grits and Gardening - Playing in the water

Talya Boerner -POP sign

I love the way Jerry captured the garden in the background, the Promise of Peace sign, the blue sky.

Watering my tomatoes…

grace grits tomatoes - my plot at Promise of Peace

It was a fun afternoon!

Plus, I discovered another ripe strawberry. Bonus.

grace grits strawberry

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“Water is the driving force in nature.”
― Leonardo da Vinci

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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Talya Tate Boerner books
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