Do you mushroom? I mushroom!

 

Mushrooms are, by far, one of my fav foods!  Particularly, I love mushroom quesadillas with white cheese- if you haven't tried them, they are the best (psst... keep reading and I'll tell you how to make your own).  Mushrooms have many health benefits and are delish in a multitude of dishes.  But did you also know they are very simple to grow?  We recently added a new product to our offerings!  Check it out!

The 12" Shiitake Log is the gift that keeps on giving!  Just one log will produce for two or more years.  Each log is inoculated with Shiitake mushroom spores in holes that are carefully drilled and then wrapped in FDA-food grade cheese wax.  Each log has its inoculation date stamped on it.  

Why Shiitake mushrooms?  They are THE gourmet favorite-- delighting dishes from pastas to stir-fry meals to salads-- and more!  They are a healthy and yummy addition!

Our Shiitake Mushroom Logs were recognized in Real Simple Magazine as a "Best Gift" and there sure were right!  These make a great gift for friends, family... and yourself!  Click HERE to order yours today-- shipped directly from the greenhouse.  In a short while, you will be enjoying "fresh from the log" Shiitake mushrooms.  

And as promised, here's a yummy mushroom quesadilla recipe for your upcoming Shiitake crop! 

Cheese and Mushroom Quesadillas

INGREDIENTS

· 2 tablespoons olive oil

·  1 pound Shiitake mushrooms (cleaned and sliced 1/4-in thick (about 4 cups)

·  1 to 2 jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced

·  1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

·  Salt

·  8 (6-inch) fresh flour tortillas

·  8 ounces Mexican melting cheese

·  1 cup salsa

Directions 

Filling: In a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and chiles, stir well, and cover. Continue to stir every minute or so, replacing the cover each time for 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover, and let briskly simmer until all the liquid has evaporated. Taste and season with salt. Add the cilantro now. 

Griddle-baking the quesadillas: Heat a nonstick griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat. Turn the oven on to its lowest setting. One by one, make the quesadillas: Lightly brush 1 side of each tortilla with oil, then lay it oiled side down on the hot griddle. Spread with about 1/4 cup of the cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture down the center of the cheese-covered tortilla. When the cheese begins to melt (but before the tortilla begins to crisp), fold the tortilla in half along the line of the filling. Cook, flipping the quesadilla every minute or so, until the cheese is completely melted and the tortilla crisps, about 5 minutes in all. As each quesadilla is done, transfer it to a baking sheet and keep in a warm oven. Enjoy!

 

Teach A Child To Garden

 

 Delight on a child's face must be one of the most rewarding feelings that a gardener can have when that sheer happiness is result of your garden. That tops right up there with knowing that you helped teach that child to garden. You are doing something magical for them. They get to see their efforts pay off and have pride in working with their sweet little hands. They are learning a life skill that will serve them well. It is proven that when a child helps you grow vegetables and fruits, they are more likely to eat them. They will beam with pride at what they have accomplished and eat healthier in the process. It reminds me of a proverb, but I am going to change it up a little....

A wonderful thing about working with children is that YOU don't have to be a perfect gardener, you just have to be willing to spend time together. As adults, we sometimes forget that things that are not new to us, are new to them. They see the world as full of amazement and wonder. So, get out there, get dirty, and have fun! What if you don't have a lot of space? That is ok also. Whoever said you have to dig in the ground to have a garden? Container gardens are just as wonderful. Any container that will allow moisture to flow through can work. If you are a beginner gardener yourself or want to teach your child about healthy eating, we have a wonderful middle ground. A garden that sits right on your counter top AND will encourage healthy eating.

A Sprout Garden is simple to start, easy to care for, and shows super fast results. You can go from planting to eating in just a few days. We offer a 3 tray Sprout Garden kit that has everything you need to get started, trays, seeds, and instructions. Add sprouts to your salads, sandwiches, and even in your smoothies for a great boost and pick-me-up. You don't have to limit the kit to only sprouts, grow broccoli, garbanzo, lentils, and much more. The added bonus of stackable trays is that you can not only grow many different things at once, but they take up very little room.

Come visit us at

 www.lawn-gardening-tools.com 

to have your kit shipped right to your front door.