Tomato ‘Mortgage Lifter’, for sale at MBG’s Online Marketplace.
Many of the Gulf Coast’s best tomatoes are still available online at Mobile Botanical Gardens’ Online Marketplace. Choose from heirlooms like Cherokee Purple, hybrids, plums, grape, and even tiny currant varieties. They are selling out, however, so make your selections soon! Pickup will be on Saturday, February 23 from 9am – 1pm at the MBG Marketplace on the grounds. Getting your plants in early will allow you to get a head start on the growing season, before our stifling summer heat chokes off production. Read Bill Finch’s article on why you should at al.com.
Red Lentil Soup with Chard
Red Lentil Soup with Chard and Grilled Chapati
Some of you will know that our home was damaged in the Christmas tornado and that we’ve been staying in a hotel while repairs are made. During that time I’ve been returning home to tend our small winter vegetable garden, and once or twice a week bring back some kale or chard to add to our meals. While our suite nominally has a full kitchen, that kitchen includes only two small countertop burners and a microwave. I’ve been attempting to cook several times a week to try to maintain our regular eating habits, but the results have been a little disappointing. Tonight’s meal was one of my more ambitious efforts, Red Lentil Soup with Chard, and Chapati dry-grilled on our iron skillet. Not bad; it’s simple, warm, and filling.
A mix of freshly chopped chard and spinach.
The Red Lentil Soup comes from Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and reminds me of the red lentil soup from my favorite Tibetan restaurant in Bloomington, and the Chapati from Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. You can make chapati with regular whole wheat flour, but I picked up some chapati flour from Food Pak on Old Shell.