Friday, July 16, 2010

In The Kitchen With Debbie - Living Off the Land

A tomato sandwich and homemade hash browned potatoes with LOTS OF KETCHUP:
We don't have a real garden this year, but maybe we will have one next year. That hasn't stopped us from living off the land as much as possible. The gifts of produce keep on coming and we are striving to use them. Fresh veggies are so good, you wouldn't think that would be hard. But, I've come to realize why some foods are called convenience food. BECAUSE THEY ARE CONVENIENT, THAT'S WHY! Anyway, fresh veggies are delicious and so much better for us and you can't be the price, if they are free!

These are cucumbers marinated in vinegar. Just peel and slice them and place in a shallow dish. Then pour a little vinegar in the dish and if you like, sprinkle black pepper on top.

More freshly dug potatoes

To make fried okra I wash them, cut off the ends and cut them up in to wheels like this.
I put the okra in a plastic bowl that has a tight fitting cover and sprinkle some corn meal on top. Cover and shake.
Place a little oil in a frying pan on medium heat and add the okra. Cover and stir often until the okra are lightly browned and tender.
Some gifted corn ready to be shucked:
The shucks go into our little compost bin.
Ready to be cooked.

Its wonderful to be able to eat fresh veggies. Since their shelf life is short, we cook and eat them as quickly as possible, leaving the nonperishables in the pantry for later, when the veggies aren't so plentiful.

12 comments:

Sportsgirl said...

The idea of living off the land is very appealing to me. Sounds like a lot of hard work though!

Mary Ellen said...

Glad to see you back Debbie! Hope you and your family are doing well. I'm going to try the fried okra recipe. I've never seen it with the corn meal added. Take care!

Mary Ellen

Susan said...

I always do a double-take when I see your dishes - I have the same ones!

Are those cucumber slices in vinegar really good? I've seen that recipe for ages but I'm scared to try it. Maybe I'll try it today and see for myself!

Your okra! Yum! We only get okra up here in little bitty styrofoam trays wrapped in plastic. It's only enough for one person. It's considered an ethnic food here - the Indians (from India, not Native Americans) use it in their dishes. And the price for that itty bitty package? About $4.00!

Granny said...

I love tomato sandwiches with lots of mayonnaise. I often eat just that for lunch. I grew up eating fried okra and am going to try your way of making it. I slice cucumbers and onions into vinegar and keep a couple of jars of them in the fridge all summer long. There's nothing like eating from your own garden.

Glad to see you posting again. Your family is still in my prayers.

Mrs. White said...

You have wonderful homemaking ideas!

Blessings
Mrs. White

Anonymous said...

Hi debbie,
It is wonderful to see you back. I love Fried Okra. Must me the southern girl in me. :)
Hvae a wonderful week end.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

L said...

Debbie, everything looks so good. What a great blessing to be given all that produce. Nothing beats all the fresh stuff.

Denise said...

Love tomato and cucumber sandwiches with butter, salt & pepper, I have also put balsamic vinegar on cucumbers and it is yummy. That corn would go great with tonight's grilled steak, the freshest we can get this time of year is from Massachusetts our Maine corn should be within the next 2 weeks.

Little Penpen said...

Yum, yum... my kindred spirit! I usually dilute my vinegar with a little water when I make my cucumbers. However, my DIL cannot get enough vinegar... she could drink it from the jar I think... she always puts a little more on hers. So glad you are back... you've been on mind all week.

Rhonda said...

That all looks good! Fresh produce just can't be beat. :)

Deborah said...

I can't wait to eat a real, fresh tomato from our garden! The produce looks delicious.

Rita said...

Debbie,
It is so good to have you back at your blog. I have missed you and your tips. Yesterday when I shopped at Walgreen's I wondered if Debbie bought anything this week? I only bought Dawn for 99 cents with a 25 cent coupon. Not much I needed this week. Last week I did really well with Rewards. I began looking for the Rewards with your encouragement and have saved quite a bit. Have a good day.

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