Hazelwood Herb Farm recipes

November 27, 2007

 

I had the pleasure of visiting the Hazelwood Herb Farm last Saturday on the Cedar/Yellowpoint Art Tour.  I tasted their yummy products, bought a couple of their herbal ‘rubs’ (unfortunately, I can’t give you the ingredients of each rub … you will have to ask the Hazelwood Herb Farm folks)  to give as gifts as well as a rosemary apple jelly they make that is divine!  As promised, the recipes for some of the fare they offered were up on their website today (see below).  A great spot to visit in the Nanaimo area.

from http://www.hazelwoodherbfarm.com/tour07.htm

Meatballs featured in several recipes this year. Here is the basic recipe for them:

8 ounces lean ground beef

 

8 ounces lean ground pork

 

1 cups fresh white bread crumbs

 

1/3 cup milk

 

1 egg

 

1 tsp Salt

 

½ tsp pepper

 

Mix bread crumbs with milk and allow bread to soak up liquid. Lightly whisk the egg. Using two forks gently mix together the meat, bread and egg until well combined. Take a pinch and fry in a pan to check for seasoning-adjust. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer.

 

 

Shape meat mixture in to balls. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a skillet over high heat and cook the meatballs until browned all over. Do this in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. You are not trying to fully cook them at this point.

MEATBALLS WITH LEBANESE RUB: 

1 recipe meatballs

1-2 Tablespoons Lebanese Rub

1 cup plain yogurt

 

Once all meatballs are cooked remove any excess oil in the pan. The pan must be clean and dry before proceeding.  Return meatballs to pan over medium heat and sprinkle generously with Lebanese rub.  Shake pan over medium heat until rub adheres to the meat. Add the yogurt and stir to combine. Cover and simmer over medium low heat until meat is cooked through. Stir occasionally.

 

MEATBALLS WITH ASIAN RUB:

1 recipe meatballs

1-2 Tablespoons Asian Rub

1 can coconut milk

Once all meatballs are cooked remove any excess oil in the pan. The pan must be clean and dry before proceeding.  Return meatballs to pan over medium heat and sprinkle generously with Asian rub.  Shake pan over medium heat until rub adheres to the meat. Add the coconut milk and stir to combine. Simmer over medium low heat uncovered until meat is cooked through and sauce starts to thicken. Stir occasionally.

 

MEATBALLS WITH LEMON PEPPER:

1 Recipe meatballs

Lemon Pepper

Cook meatballs in a skillet or oven until cooked through. Have ready a container lined with paper towel. When meatballs are ready place in paper lined container. Sprinkle lemon pepper on with one hand while gently shaking the container with the other hand. 

CAJUN FRENCH FRIES

 

Put the rub through a coffee mill to make a finer powder. When fries are ready remove from oven or deep fryer and sprinkle with some Cajun Rub. Toss well to coat and season with salt if desired.

 

 

JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN WINGS

 

1 pound chicken wings

 

2 to 3  tablespoons Jamaican jerk rub

 

Sprinkle rub evenly over wings then refrigerate in a plastic bag for at least four hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 425F. Place a cake rack on top of a cookie sheet. Arrange wings on rack and cook for 30/35 minutes or until crispy. Serve immediately

 

HABANERO OR GARLIC JELLY MEATBALLS

1/2 recipe of basic meatballs

3 Tbsp  Jelly

1 Tbsp  Vinegar

1/8 cup water & 1/2 tsp cornstarch combined

 

Place meatballs, jelly and vinegar in a skillet on low heat until the jelly has melted. Increase heat and constantly stir for a few minutes until meatballs are warmed through. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir for a further 30 seconds

 

ITALIAN RUB CARROTS 

1/2 pound peeled carrots

1 Tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon Italian Rub

Cut carrots on the diagonal in to 1/4 inch slices. Cook in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and put in to cold water. Drain again and pat dry. In a skillet over medium heat melt the butter and honey. Add the carrots and toss to coat then sprinkle on the Italian Rub. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.

 

PICKLED GARLIC DIP

 

 

¾ cup mayonnaise-regular or low fat

 

½ cup yogurt-regular or low fat

 

1/3 cup Hazelwood pickled garlic drained

 

2 tablespoons capers drained

 

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

 

Put all ingredients in a food processor and process until fairly smooth

This year we served this on potato croquettes right out of the deep fryer. In previous years it has been used as a vegetable dip

 

ITALIAN RUB MEATBALLS IN CREAMY TOMATO SAUCE

1-2 Tablespoons Italian Rub

1 cup crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup whipping cream

Once all meatballs are cooked remove any excess oil in the pan. Return meatballs to pan and sprinkle generously with Italian rub. Shake pan over medium heat until rub adheres to the meat. Add the crushed tomatoes and cream, stir to combine. Cover and simmer over medium low heat until meat is cooked through. Stir occasionally.

 

Pork Satay with Vietnamese Rub

 

 

Lightly oil a cutting board then put the lean ground pork on it. With oiled hands gently pat the meat in to a block approximately ½ inch thick. Cut in to ½ inch by 1 inch rectangles  Put rub on a plate then roll each satay until all sides are covered. Refrigerate at least four hours or overnight. Cook in a skillet with a small amount of oil. Serve on bamboo skewers.

 

We also served chicken with all our other various rubs.

“Raven and Jason” - a short doc.

November 26, 2007

at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ravenandjason

from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver

CBC’s Tapestry

My radio was broken in my last car, may the green machine rest in peace, so for years I drove around in silence.  I am really enjoying listening to the CBC again while driving.  Today, driving back from a jaunt to Rathtrevor Provincial Park near Parksville, which is an incredible spot and only 30 minutes from Nanaimo, I caught the below broadcast on Tapestry which I found thought-provoking. 

The Upper-Middle Path

You’ve heard about the "Middle Path"? It’s one of Buddhism’s key teachings: steer clear of extremes; find a balance between indulging the senses and going overboard on deprivation.

But what happens when the Buddha’s "Middle Path" becomes the "Upper-Middle Path”? Meet Kobai Scott Whitney, a writer and Buddhist prison chaplain. He says North American Buddhists are turning the great tradition into some kind of Buddhism Lite: taking what they like and leaving the rest. Newbie Buddhists, Kobai says, simply ignore anything too demanding, preferring to zone out on their comfy meditation cushions. Mary Hynes meets Kobai Scott Whitney (the name means Old Plum) on Tapestry.

Here are a couple of other references to Kobai Scott Whitney’s thoughts and work:

http://www.wildmind.org/blogs/on-practice/kobai-renunciation#more-454

http://www.prisondharmanetwork.org/


 

nanaimo filmmaker - crystal skulls

October 4, 2007

at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKlMuDMCZMc&mode=related&search=

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Parksville

October 3, 2007

A friend recommended visiting this park - about 35 kilometres from Nanaimo (for more information see http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=405)

Nanaimo

nanaimofromabove.jpg

Population :

City of Nanaimo - 79,626
Regional District of Nanaimo - 141,080

Location :

On east side of Vancouver Island, 48.3 km west of Vancouver and 113 km  north of Victoria.

Main Industries :

Tourism, advanced manufacturing, technology, business and government services, marine research, regional retail, health and education centre.

Climate :

One of Canada’s most temperate climates. Expect moderate rainfall in winter and sunny, dry summers.

“Another Highway 99 closure raises Olympic fears” (article url_

September 14, 2007

VANCOUVER (CBC) - A rock slide closed the highway to Whistler for seven hours Thursday, just as officials of the International Olympic Committee were holding a news conference in Vancouver on preparations for the 2010 Winter Games.

It was the second time this week that a rock slide has closed Highway 99, a vital transportation link between Vancouver and Whistler that will be used by Olympic athletes, officials and spectators when the Games begin.

continued at http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/13092007/3/canada-highway-99-closure-raises-olympic-fears.html

This is suprising given the major work that is being done on this highway ….

settling in to nanaimo life

September 13, 2007

The last two weeks have flown by since moving to Nanaimo and starting my new job.  At the end of work, my brain is mush as there is so much to learn especially about legal and financial issues as they pertain to the 65+ population.  And each province in Canada has different provincial legislation regarding guardianship, power of attorney, etc.  No doubt, I will be familiar with all these things in a few months.  I am really enjoying the work as the focus is very oriented to the well-being of the person utilizing the service or their family member/s.  And it is great to be working with the older population again - I do so appreciate hearing about their life experience.

In the midst of this steep work learning curve, I am also getting to know the geography/landscape of Nanaimo.  I find it one of the most interesting places I have lived in as there is such a mix of architecture and vistas. 

Downtown Nanaimo is quite hilly, as are other areas outside the centre.  It is a thrill to be driving along and all of a sudden find oneself at the top of a hill with a view of the harbour or on the outskirts of the city, a view of Georgia Straight and the Coastal Mountains on the mainland.  I am enchanted, perhaps because it is new to me, but it is a very lovely small city with a long seawall where you can walk, the harbour/marina areas, tons of parks, a mix of Victorian housing, etc.  The only other place I can think of in Canada that might be somewhat similar is St. John’s, Newfoundland but I have never been there, or aspects of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

And the vegetation.  In my yard, there are two holly trees, an apple tree, a black walnut, and a rhododendron. 

I wish I could take pictures but my camera memory card is full - I plan to fix this on the weekend as well as get my bike up to speed as there are tons of bike paths nearby. 

And my new job offers ‘flex-time’ so I have every second Monday off (starting this Monday!)  I have my first visitor arriving this Sunday (AN who lives in Campbell River) and the plan is to go to Coombs, north of Nanaimo, in the afternoon.  I hope to take her out for dins at one of the dining spots in the Nanaimo Harbour afterwards.

All to say, I am really chuffed with Nanaimo!

a quandary and a family death

September 2, 2007

Now what do I do?  Ella-dog is gone (before leaving Squamish, I went through the underbrush twice looking for E-dog’s marker and the dang bushes were so overgrown, I couldn’t find her burial site) and now I am living in Nanaimo.  The blog title seems a misnomer but for the time being I will keep everything as is and have added a category:  Nanaimo.

I left Squamish last Wednesday with my car full of belongings after a sweet and lovely last day at my workplace.  My immediate colleagues took me out for lunch, I received a card and a present, four of my ‘clients’ stopped in to say bye to me … all much appreciated. 

I managed to catch the 7:20 pm ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo and was in awe.  The land/seascape from the ferry was so beautiful, only marred by the yellow haze that was apparent from a distance in the Vancouver area.  At around 9 pm, maybe 20 minutes before the ferry arrived in Nanaimo, a big orange full moon appeared in the eastern horizon.  It was incredible to see from the water and I took it to be an auspicious sign of my move to Nanaimo.

And then today, I heard from my cousin’s son that his mom (cousin Betty to me) died on August 31st.  I hope she was able to see that big, full harvest moon before she died.  She was a role model for me - she graduated from McGill University in 1944, was sent to Harvard thereafter for the female business program, married, had two kids, divorced in the mid-1960s, did an MA at OISE, worked at TVO, etc. afterwards … was always very keen about promoting women’s careers.  I didn’t know all this history until the mid-80s when I thought I was the family baa-baa black sheep (being a feminist in the mid-1980s).  But her mother, my grand-father’s sister, had graduated with a BA from the University of Winnipeg in the mid-1910s.  Hell, I didn’t even know my paternal grandfather was a lawyer, though he never practised law, until two years ago!  I did know that my father had wanted to go into law at some point in his life, I will likely have regrets for not pursuing law myself and I expect my neice thinks about going into law (my aspirations for her to be a periodontist seem to have come to naught!)  

I am so happy that R. and I attended Betty’s 80th birthday celebration in Collingwood and saw the old homestead in Duntroon (it is still there).  My paternal great-grandfather left Duntroon, first went to Kansas, then ended up in Tenttown (later known as Swan River, Manitoba).  All to say, thank-you cousin Betty for blazing a trail and providing me with a role model … too bad for me that I didn’t know your history when I was in my late teens and it is so sad that my neice will not get to meet you in this life as she is quite a trail-blazer herself.  Peace be with you.

“Vancouver’s Library Strike: Women’s Pay on the Line”

August 22, 2007

Incredible that there is still so much pay inequity between genders!


from: http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/08/20/LibraryStrike/

Men get nearly $6 more hourly for similar work, says union.

By Tom Sandborn
Published: August 20, 2007
http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/08/20/LibraryStrike/print.html

TheTyee.ca

Vancouver city librarians say a key reason they’re still on
the picket line
is a sexist divide in pay rates. Hourly pay for library
jobs filled mostly
by women start at nearly $6 less than jobs of equal value
that happen to be
filled by a majority of men, a study shows.

The 17.5 per cent raise over five years the city is now
offering is only
part of what the union is fighting for, they said.

Spokespeople for CUPE 391, the local that represents city
librarians, told
The Tyee on Thursday night that they were encouraged that
their employer
had agreed to meet for negotiations on Friday, Aug. 17, but
were cautious about how much progress they could make. They said that
although the city’s
press release announcing the new negotiations indicated a
willingness "to
negotiate wage adjustments as a means of addressing wage
issues raised by
library staff," to date the city negotiators have refused
to discuss any of
the local’s four key bargaining demands: pay equity,
improvements for
part-time workers, job security and general benefit
improvements.

Three weeks into the strike, they say the city’s latest
offer falls short
of others already settled in the Lower Mainland, and
includes a proposal to
add a new, low-wage job classification that would hire
workers at reduced
wages to do work currently done by library assistants.

"Pay equity is a human rights issue," said Laura Safarian,
a librarian at
VPL’s downtown main branch, and a member of her local’s
bargaining committee.

"Canada has signed on to international agreements that
recognize the human
rights implications of gender bias in wages. This statement
from the city,
awkward as it is, represents the first time we’ve seen any
recognition at
all of the issue from the employer. We have made
significant compromises in
our negotiations already, including a reduction in the
special wage
adjustment we’re asking for, for all professional
librarians," Safarian
added….

whole article at :
http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/08/20/LibraryStrike/


Penney Kome, author and journalist
http://penneykome.ca
Editor, Straight Goods, http://straightgoods.com


Men get nearly $6 more hourly for similar work, says union.By Tom SandbornPublished: August 20, 2007Vancouver city librarians say a key reason they’re still onthe picket line is a sexist divide in pay rates. Hourly pay for libraryjobs filled mostly by women start at nearly $6 less than jobs of equal valuethat happen to be filled by a majority of men, a study shows.The 17.5 per cent raise over five years the city is nowoffering is only part of what the union is fighting for, they said.Spokespeople for CUPE 391, the local that represents citylibrarians, told The Tyee on Thursday night that they were encouraged thattheir employer had agreed to meet for negotiations on Friday, Aug. 17, butwere cautious about how much progress they could make. They said thatalthough the city’s press release announcing the new negotiations indicated awillingness "to negotiate wage adjustments as a means of addressing wageissues raised by library staff," to date the city negotiators have refusedto discuss any of the local’s four key bargaining demands: pay equity,improvements for part-time workers, job security and general benefitimprovements.Three weeks into the strike, they say the city’s latestoffer falls short of others already settled in the Lower Mainland, andincludes a proposal to add a new, low-wage job classification that would hireworkers at reduced wages to do work currently done by library assistants."Pay equity is a human rights issue," said Laura Safarian,a librarian at VPL’s downtown main branch, and a member of her local’sbargaining committee." has signed on to international agreements thatrecognize the human rights implications of gender bias in wages. This statementfrom the city, awkward as it is, represents the first time we’ve seen anyrecognition at all of the issue from the employer. We have madesignificant compromises in our negotiations already, including a reduction in thespecial wage adjustment we’re asking for, for all professionallibrarians," Safarian added….whole article at :P enney Kome, author and journalistEditor, Straight Goods,