The Garden Awakens
Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
Stop! You are making me hungry.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThose look delicious! How wonderful to have a brand new stove. I would love to have a new stove/oven. I'm surprised given how much you guys like to cook that you are not already masters of southern biscuits. I think of them as a staple of southern cooking. I used to watch Good Eats, I love Alton! A friend recommended a trick for biscuit-making, which was to freeze the butter and grate it into the flour, rather than cut it in with a pastry cutter or knives. An awful lot of work, and a bit messy. It did make very fluffy biscuits, though.
ReplyDeleteActually, Michael is good at making them but it is hard to juggle everything else going on when we are making a big breakfast (which only happens once or twice per week). This way I can help out. I've not heard that tip before but I will have to try that. This recipe calls for you to incorporate the butter and shortening into the flour mixture with your fingers.
DeleteSame thing happened to my stove. Igniter went out. I liked stoves better when they didn't use electricity because when the power went out you could still use the oven. World would be a better place if we all ate fresh biscuits slathered in melting butter.
ReplyDeleteOh, for sizing use a can open at both ends, frozen orange juice concentrate, standard 15 or 16 oz, tuna can, whatever size you like
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Thanks!
DeleteThe biscuits look perfect.
ReplyDeleteMy husband's grandmother made excellent biscuits but never taught anyone her recipe, although I'm not sure she could have because she never measured anything. It's a good thing other people have saved or re-developed the recipes!