There's an old children's book about the Civil War in Missouri, entitled First Crop and written by Gertrude Bell. It describes the terrible days of Order No. 11, and how families had to cope with their farms being burned, their livestock either taken by troops on both sides, or destroyed. But in the end, the teens of the novel are able to continue their lives despite the grief they have faced as civilians in the face of war. This book just makes me appreciate more the land we live on, and the trials and tribulation that the settlers of the past had to experience so WE too could harvest a First Crop.
We have just returned from Alaska, and meantime our garden was growing. Amazing--our first crop of peas and potatoes from it are just so delicious I wanted to share, even if in pictures.
The final product, Creamed Potatoes and Peas, is so easy I am including the recipe I used from a magazine.
You will need:
1 pound small unpeeled new potatoes, cut into wedges or, if they are really small, just use whole, covered in water and boiled for about 15 minutes or until tender
2 cups of fresh peas, steamed in the wave for about 5-6 minutes
Saute one small chopped onion (this too came from our garden) in 2 tablespoons butter, until tender, stir in 2 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, until blended. Gradually add in 1 and 1/2 cup flour, stirring well, and bring it to a boil over medium heat, keep stirring for a couple of minutes until the sauce is thickened. At this point add about 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, toss in about 1 cup chopped Canadian bacon, and the boiled and drained potatoes. Stir well, serve and enjoy!
By the way, I dump the potato water into my hanging jelly bean tomato plant because it is good for plants.
