Fried Catfish & Canned Turnip Greens

Fried Catfish & Canned Turnip Greens

Please don't discount canned vegetables.
We keep canned turnips greens packed in water in our pantry.
There is nothing else added, no salt, no other ingredients,
I warm them and add a bit of salt and freshly ground pepper.
A simple meal but ever so good for you.

I dipped the catfish fillets in flour, then egg, then cornmeal.
Fried the fillets in a real hot frying pan with olive oil.
There's a reason the greens are more abundant
on the plate than the catfish. Humans need more
greens in their diets than they do protein. 
Turnips green have lots of iron and potassium.
Please remember to eat your greens.

Japanese Coral Bark Maple Seedlings

 

Japanese Coral Bark Maple Seedlings

You're going to think I'm crazy, maybe not if you know me. I discovered my Japanese Coral Bark Maple tree after 10 years has produced an abundance of seed. They are germinating in the moist raised beds I have. the original tree started out as a one foot plant and not is over 8 feet tall. 

Today I noticed a bunch of seeds on the deck. I proceeded to get a container, use my cane with double sided sticky back tape and picked each one up individually to put in the container. I am going to try and germinate them and hopefully sell seedlings to defray the cost of food and medical bills.

This is the golden fall color for this maple. The rest of the year the leaves are a light green color which contrasts nicely with evergreen shrubs. The new growth of the branches is coral and later it develops a darker hue similar to all maple trees. This tree is very hardy for our Northeast Georgia mountains. The other day I drove by the Young Harris College campus and turned right and in the middle of the turn around was a beautiful burgundy red Japanese maple. Everyone should have at least one Japanese maple in their garden. If you happen to like them, plant a bunch of them. A Japanese maple tree will never disappoint.

My Yellow Iris are Blooming

My Yellow Iris are Blooming
Have a great day !

From Scratch-Creamy Green Bean Casserole

 

From Scratch-Creamy Green Bean Casserole

Slice one large yellow onion in half then slice halves in slices and break apart slices. In a medium sauce pan place a bit of olive oil to caramelize the onions on low to slow cook till they turn golden brown, stirring occasionally. (I didn't want fried crunchy onions). Meanwhile I cut one 16 ounce package of thin green beans I bought from Aldi and cut them into bite sized pieces. I steamed the green beans till they were al dente. Next I gently mixed the green beans and onions with one teaspoon sea salt and set the mixture aside in a serving bowl.

I sautéed 8 ounces of small quartered button mushrooms in two tablespoons of butter. Stir to coat with butter then cover and sauté gently till soft. Add the mushrooms to the green beans and onions.

 In the same saucepan you used for the mushrooms, add 1/4 pint of heavy cream, one teaspoon dried thyme, one half teaspoon white pepper, along with a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) to make a gravy. Stir constantly so cornstarch slurry doesn't settle out. When slightly thick add to green bean mixture and serve immediately. You could also serve this over rice or pasta. Enjoy !