Recipes, Gardening Tips, and Upcoming Local Events

I wanted to share this email that comes from a woman who is an herbalist and teaches classes at various places around Denver (I usually attend at least one of hers a year at the Lakewood Rec Center location). Lots of good info, plus recipes below! If you want to get on her email list, go to the website below. I highly recommend her classes - she's a well of great info, funny, and makes delicious food that you get to eat!

Herb Blurb February 2011 [url=http://www.chrysalisherbs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.chrysalisherbs.com[/url]

Imbolc

February 1st is Imbolc, an ancient festival celebrating Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of fire. She imparts inspiration, healing, poetry and divination.

Light a candle during this time of growing light and take some time to find out what inspires you. What lights your fire? This is a time to celebrate new beginnings, set an intention and plant your seeds for the future.



Things to Do

February brings the annual Garden and Home Show down at the Convention Center from February 12 – 20. Get some new ideas for that remodel.

One of my favorite events, Denver Restaurant Week, will take place from February 26 to March 11. Try a multi course meal for 2 for $52.80 at that posh restaurant you’ve wanted to try. Make reservations early, the 6-8PM spots fill up fast.

Check out [url=http://www.denver.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.denver.org[/url] for more events around town. If you click on the events link you can find a weekly 2 for 1 ticket listing where you can attend opera, dance, music and film events for ½ price.

Free Events

Free days this month include;
Denver Art Museum – February 5
Denver Botanic Gardens – Feb 4/ Chatfield, Feb 21/York St Denver Museum of Nature and Science –February 14 and 27
Denver Zoo – February 19

Vitamin Cottage is showing an excellent film, The World According to Monsanto, at various stores this month. Go see it and find out what is happening to our food supply and what you can do about it. Go to [url=http://www.vitamincottage.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.vitamincottage.com[/url] and hit the natural speakers link. Everyone should see this film.


Recipe of the Month- Avocado Citrus Salad

2 tangerines, peeled and sectioned
2 avocados, diced
¼ red onion cut in fine strips
Baby greens
Blue, stilton or gorgonzola cheese (optional)
Vinaigrette – Mix equal parts olive oil and good balsamic vinegar, add a little more oil and a dab of Dijon mustard and shake or whisk well. Lightly dress greens with vinaigrette and arrange on a salad plate. Gently combine and lightly dress tangerines, onion strips and avocado and place on greens. Crumble cheeses on top.

Gardening

February is a great month to purchase seeds. The selection is great and the catalogs are starting to come in. Take out a piece of paper, make a rough sketch of your garden and then fill it in with what you want to plant. Then make a list of what you have room for and order away. Have a plan so you don’t get carried away when faced with all those enticing selections.

During this crazy weather make sure your garden is protected from both heat and cold with a good layer of mulch and a deep water every three weeks or so if we don’t have snow cover.

Need some color? Pick up a primrose. These sweet little flowers can be planted outside in spring if you can keep them alive indoors until then. They like it cool with evenly moist soil. Pick off the dead stems to keep it in flower. Smell before you buy. The yellow ones are especially fragrant.

Herb of the Month – Chocolate
What’s that you’re saying? Chocolate is not an herb? Well it comes from plants so we are using the term loosely here. And yes, it is good for you. It contains flavonoids and antioxidants, and it is being researched for its ability to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Dark chocolate is the best choice for benefits, the higher the cacao content, the better. Chocolate increases endorphin production, which increases pleasure. Does this mean you should have a candy bar instead of a bowl of broccoli? No, but chocolate in moderation is a fine thing indeed. Here are some easy chocolate recipes to get those endorphins going.

Saltine Toffee
I first tried this at my Mom’s and was quite impressed when she told me she made it. I asked for the recipe and couldn’t believe how easy it was and how delicious! Health food it isn’t, but it sure is tasty!

4 ounces saltine crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Oil a cookie sheet and line it with saltine crackers in single layer.
In a saucepan combine the sugar and the butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour over saltines and spread t cover crackers completely.

Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate with the back of a spoon and top with chopped nuts. Cool completely and break into pieces. Yum!



Coconut Cherry Haystacks

2 cups shredded, sweetened coconut
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Place the coconut in a pie tin or small baking pan, and toast it in the oven until golden brown. Stir it every 2 minutes until it is an even, light golden color.

Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler or microwave it until melted. Once the coconut is toasted and chocolate is melted, stir the coconut and cherries into the chocolate, mixing until coconut and fruit are entirely coated with chocolate. Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the candy onto the prepared sheet. Once the candy has been formed, refrigerate for 30 minutes, until the chocolate is set. You can sub in nuts or any other dried fruit you prefer. Perfect for valentines day!

Upcoming Classes

Private cooking, crafting and garden classes, garden consultations and herb walks are available for you or your group or organization. Check [url=http://www.chrysalisherbs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.chrysalisherbs.com[/url] for topics.

February- Sold Out

Mexican Fiesta Cooking Class & Dinner

Denver Botanic Gardens, February 08, 6-8 PM, $39 member/ $44 non member. [url=http://www.botanicgardens.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.botanicgardens.org[/url]

Lakewood Parks and Recreation, February 9, 6-8pm, #110303-01, @29 resident, $39 non resident

Discover the ease of preparing delicious dishes from south of the border. We’ll prepare the classics, salsa, pico de gallo and guacamole and use them for garnishes for our Spinach and Cheese Quesadillas with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Baja Citrus Shrimp Tacos. We’ll finish with some pumpkin flan. Please bring a place setting.


March

The Chef's Garden
Wednesday, March 9th, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Lakewood Parks and Recreation, $19 resident, $29 non-resident, Class #110302-01, 303-987-5423

Do you think all vegetable gardens should be hidden behind th shed? Come learn how to create a lovely, productive garden that combines vegetables, edibles flowers and fragrant herbs in a tapestry of beauty and utility. We’ll cover elements of design, specific varieties for fragrance and taste and discuss maintenance and harvesting. Expand your gardening horizons! Handouts included.


The Cook's Herb Garden
Tuesday March 15th, 6 - 8pm, Denver Botanic Gardens
$39 member; $44 non-member, 720-865-3580, [url=http://www.botanicgardens.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.botanicgardens.org[/url]
Discover the numerous health and taste benefits of your own herb garden. We’ll cover growing, harvesting and culinary uses of 7 of the most popular culinary herbs including marjoram, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, chives and basil. We’ll make an all purpose, garden seasoning blend, and have a delicious, gourmet herbal dinner. Take home an herb blend and an extensive handout with recipes and growing instructions.

Don’t Wait! This Weekend is over half full!

Springtime at the Ranch, Mountains, Sand Dunes and Hot Springs,

Thursday, April 28 – Sunday, May 1/2011

Plan Ahead/ info and itinerary @ http://catalog.botanicgardens.org/selec ... &sch=19406

Escape to the beauty and mystery of the San Luis Valley, one of the most scenic and ecologically diverse areas of the United States. Stay at the historic Zapata Ranch, a 103,000 acre bison and cattle ranch, nestled up next to the Great Sand Dunes and owned by The Nature Conservancy. We’ll have gourmet food, luxurious lodging and 3 nights and 4 days of relaxation and exploring the beauty of the area. The normal rate for a 3 night adult stay at the ranch is $985. We have worked out a great deal for you, with lodging, activities and great meals included for $745 members, $795 non members, double occupancy. $200 more for single occupancy. Go to [url=http://www.zranch.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.zranch.org[/url] to view Zapata.