Japan for Rita
hooked123
6 years ago
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mamapinky0
6 years ago
DawnInCal
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Burdock
Comments (8)I haven't tried it myself, but here is some info and some recipes: Dig up roots after the first years growing season, before it goes to seed in its second year, then dry for future use. Take leaves and fruits of second year plants in summer when mature. The Asian variety ÂGobo is the best for culinary purposes. Shoots and roots can be simmered, then stirfried. Young leaves can be cooked as greens. Roots may be grated raw into salads. Medicinal Uses: Roots are used to treat colds and flu, gout, measles, vertigo, hives, urinary tract infections, constipation, leprosy, dandruff, burns, ulcers, eczema, and are an effective detoxifier. It contains mild anti-cancer agents. If stung by stinging nettles, rub on the juice of a leaf of Burdock. A poultice of crushed leaves will ease sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, aches and bruises. An infusion of the leaves has a sedative effect. Seeds are used to treat fever, cough, swellings, mumps, skin diseases and carbuncles. Root contains insulin. Has been used in the treatment of AIDS patients. Warning: Avoid medicinal doses when pregnant. Do not use if suffering from diarrhoea. The plant is similar in appearance to rhubarb and care should be taken when identifying, as rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Burdock Flavoured Salad 310g diced prosciutto or bacon 2 lemons 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley 4-5 cloves garlic 850g burdock root 1/3 cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste Chop the garlic and parsley in large pieces. Mix them in a bowl with the oil and lemon. Add the Burdock and leave everything to marinate for about half an hour. Add the prosciutto, season to taste, mix and serve. Burdock Root Dessert 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup brown sugar, tightly packed 1 teaspoon lemon juice 450g tin pineapple pieces 2 tablespoons cornflour 2 cups burdock roots, cut into rounds Cook the burdock roots until tender. Melt butter in a frypan over low heat, add brown sugar and lemon juice, stir. Combine 1/2 cup of the juice from the pineapples with the cornflour until smooth, add to the butter mixture, stirring constantly over low heat until mixture thickens and boils. Add burdock roots and pineapple pieces and heat through. Burdock Spread 1/2 cup burdock root, finely cut 1/8 cup yellow dock root, finely cut 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup sour cream or yoghurt Simmer roots in the vinegar for about 5 minutes. Process in a blender, then add the cream or yoghurt. Serve on potatoes or other vegetable dishes. ##Slice Burdock root, place into a baking dish, dot with butter. Just cover with apple cider and bake until tender. Burdock Bloom Stalk Bake 4 cups cooked burdock bloom stalk rounds (see below) 1 cup parmesan cheese 2/3 cup breadcrumbs 1/3 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup finely chopped onions 2 cloves garlic, minced paprika Collect at least a dozen burdock bloom stalks (the main central stalk that will eventually support the flowering side branches).Collect them when about 30-60cm high and still in the process of growing taller. Cut them as close to the ground as you can, then strip off any attached large leaves and leaf stalks. Cut off the cluster of leaves at the top of the stalk as well. Peel or cut off the outer rind, which tends to be stringy and bitter. Then chop the peeled bloom stalks into rounds about 1cm thick. Drop the bloom stalks into an ample supply of boiling salted water and boil until tender, 10-15 minutes. Remove and drain. Add the rest of the ingredients to 4 cups of the boiled bloom stalks and combine well. Spread in a pie pan or flat baking dish and sprinkle paprika over the top. Bake at 180°C until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Serve hot with crackers....See MoreMoonflower question
Comments (54)I'm resurrecting this thread for a question. I'm trying to grow a moonflower or two indoors over the winter as houseplants and take them outside when the weather gets warm again. I know my bedroom is warm enough--warmer than the rest of the house. My question is: Do moonflowers keep inside well? I can deal with giant vines, but I'm concerned about the health of the plant itself. For reference, if anyone wants it: I had no trouble starting my moonflower. I soaked three seeds in some tap water in a little dish filled with pop can tabs (to keep them submerged). After that, I let them sit in my west window on some damp garden soil, and they took off. When they ALL cracked open (which I was not expecting), I transferred them to separate pots gently before the roots could grow out. One has rotted and been discarded, and one is growing very slowly, but the third has taken off like a shot. They're being watered with filtered water from the kitchen sink--no fertilizer, nothing really special--and being grown in ceramic seedling pots, which have drainage holes. There's a plastic bag or a glass dish under each. I didn't think to nick them, only did what the package said and soaked them. The soil is pretty fertile, but from what I've read, they don't really care. The filtered water thing is important for any plant, though. Salt from the water softener isn't good for plants. I have most of my experience from starting seeds for my veggie garden. I happen to be pretty good with vines--cucumbers, morning glories, squash... actually, the way I grow tomatoes, they're almost like vines themselves unless we get them on trellises. What can I say? Iowa summers and lots of rain (or good sprinklers) do that. Also, if my cat thinks he's going to eat these, I'll have to give them to my neighbor. Hope he doesn't. He's not a big plant eater, but still. Hailing from Iowa, Zone 5, by the Mississippi River --Rebekah, 15...See Morecleavers, the good, the bad, and whats yours.
Comments (22)It's nice to have something from China that is usable. Can't say much for all the other Crap they are pushing on us. I should say "the US ". Guess it is something like "Share the wealth " sure wish we could share some. I had a few cleavers a while back . I sold the last one in my collectible place. I think the name was Beatty. It had a large curved top with a hole in the end. The butchers hung the cleaver on a meat hook, above their work area, using that hole. Didn't really have any use for it, besides saying " I have an old Cleaver" I could have held on to it to chop firewood. Mostly everything is cut up now, in the markets. I didn't have a heavy work top, that I have now. Wouldn't have any use for a Cleaver anyway. I think a normal person, can make due now, with just a few knives . A chefs knife and a couple smaller ones. I'll sacrifice not cutting up a chicken in 4 seconds. I try to buy good tools but " made in the USA " If I had a farm and raised live stock a Cleaver, would be great. Don't do that anymore, either. Depressing ain't I. Everybody to their own taste, If you like it, do it,use it. I do have a Chef's Knife, made in Japan !!! LOU...See MoreJanuary 2011 finishes...post pics here
Comments (32)Such beautiful quilts ladies!! I would mention each individually, but that would mean a book! LOL The diverse patterns & fabrics are a testament to our many differnet tastes & abilities. Isn't it awesome how we can all participate in such an incredibly adaptable art??! My guess is that if we were each to be given the same pattern OR the same fabrics, we'd still each make something totally different from one another! Seeing all the great quilt photos, I've GOT to read up on posting pics!! Just not today - funeral in an hour & after that traveling to the closest LQS (45min) to pick up some fabrics for a RR! Then back home to switch to pickup & get a load of wood before the storm hits. Word now has it that we will get more ice than snow - people are going crazy buying generators!! Is the more accurate weather fore-casting really a help??! Or something the marketing industry came up with to incite panic purchases??! Just wondering... :)...See More
Kathsgrdn
6 years agohooked123
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoTrain station in Osaka. It surprised me that it has outdoor escalators that appear take you from high in the air into the city.
hooked123
6 years ago
Many tourists dress up in kimonos in Kyoto and Tokyo. The picture above was taken at dusk on the Main Street of the Gion District in Kyoto. The Geisha was walking very fast and unfortunately my MIL didn't see her. If you see a Geisha get your camera quick as they are gone within minutes if not seconds.
hooked123
6 years ago
Arashiyama has wonderful trails through amazing bamboo forests. There is a lovely river that takes you into town and a Monkey Park that you can hike up to see. It is a serious hike.
Jenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHouse
6 years agohooked123 thanked Jenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHousehooked123
6 years ago
The town of Arashiyama in Kyoto and a cemetery that was on the hike through the bamboo forest.
hooked123
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. It looks so peaceful, which is deceiving as there are thousands of tourists all behind a roped off area.
Jenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHouse
6 years agohooked123
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHouse
6 years agohooked123 thanked Jenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHousehooked123
6 years ago
If you arrive very early in the morning they say the monkeys will be in the hot springs. We didn't make it until afternoon as it is a hard hike and the bamboo forest was a hike too.
hooked123
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agohooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoYou could see the details of the trees so perfectly reflecting in the ponds at the temple.
hooked123
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
This store owner told me about how his shop had been in the family for hundreds of years. He loves cats and we showed each other cat pics. He gave me some free cat trinkets! His shop was the size of a bathroom.
hooked123
6 years ago
Shubuya Crossing above and the restaurant Ichiran. You order your food from a computer/ vending machine and sit in your private booth, the food is passed under the bamboo curtain and you never see a waiter.
hooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years ago
The largest fish market in the world. We really enjoyed local entrepreneurs selling their handmade goods. The Sushi was delicious and VERY mild, it had been caught only a few hours earlier.
hooked123
6 years ago
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years agohooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years agohooked123
6 years ago
Harajuku in Tokyo. Many young adults dress in "Harajuku" style and are fun to see as they have wild clothes and colorful hair.
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years ago
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