Garden to Table: Beans, Tomatoes, Loofah， bitter mellows

 

We plant these two types of  beans. Not sure what is the variety of the green colored beans. Initially, we got the seeds from a friend. Based on the looks of the pods, the flavor & texture, I guess it is so called “东北油豆角".

Today, would like to introduce the purple-colored beans. They are my favourite beans for their beautiful, long, deep purple stringless pods , their tender, crisp texture  and excellent flavor . 

These are 'Blauhilde'.  Blauhilde refers to a German heirloom French pole bean. These vigorous, productive vines grow to about 6-9 feet tall and require tall trellising to climb.  As long as giving profer soil and full sun, they produce prolifically and continuously for a long harvest season. 

How we got our first seeds? Many years ago, when we cleaned up the yard before winter came, we saw a dried beans pod hanged on our side of the fence shared with our neighbour. We kept it and sowed the seeds next year and surprisedly got the pefect beans we like. Since then, we plant it years after years. We share the beans and seeds to many friends. 

I like letting some bitter melon to overripe and using it to make smoothies.  When bitter melong becomes overripe, it turns into bright orange color and the seeds inside become red and are often surrounded by a  sweet pulp. The bitterness reduce slightly and the texture becomes mushy and less desirable for cooking. 

 

Tomato stir-fried eggs: A classic, simple, quick and delicious chinese dish

Tomato stir-fried eggs with apple loofah

Purple beans stir_fried diced beef  with Mu er.  the Pods of purple bean turn green when cooked

绿豆角焖五花肉，西红柿

煎牛仔骨和炒苦瓜

牛仔骨用油，盐和洋葱腌一腌。铁锅烧热后放进牛仔骨两面煎一煎。放入整的蒜瓣一起煎。然后加入洋葱，rosemary，胡椒粉，孜然。

牛仔骨煎好后盛起，用同一个锅，借用里面的油和调料炒苦瓜。

 

每年必做的苦瓜smoothie。非常好喝，象吃黑巧克力一样。

基本食材：一个青苹果，一个橙子，水，柠檬汁，香蕉，菠萝，核桃，腰果，加苦瓜。不用加糖。怕苦的可以多放点香蕉

 

Thank you. Have a nice weekend!