tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post6718650976241890903..comments2024-03-16T10:01:48.154-07:00Comments on Chronica Domus: Colcannon From The GardenChronica Domushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-82771676022333789812016-03-12T12:33:02.370-08:002016-03-12T12:33:02.370-08:00So lovely to see you at Lawn Tea yesterday, and I ...So lovely to see you at Lawn Tea yesterday, and I hope the "tutorial" was not too gruesome in its way. The cutting-up of a chicken was as much a part of our teenage learnin' as ironing a white shirt, making good lumpless gravy and "white sauce"---(bechamel, with three designations: thin, medium and thick), and alas for me, making and rolling out a good piecrust. I just never got the "hand" for that one, so cobblers and crisps and even Bettys have been in my own repertoire since that epic failure.<br /><br />And I did learn to fry chicken properly, after a youth of watching Mother's gingerly handling and sizzling (her generation learned from Mrs. Beeton: First kill your chicken, and it was all downhill from there for her). I never saw her eat a bit of chicken save for the liver and Mrs. Chisholm's sublime Chicken Salad, from whom Mother purloined the recipe, making it her own in the family forever.<br /><br />I've missed you, faraway friend, thinking that you were probably out there in your garden, or writing your wonderfully witty thoughts or perhaps traveling in that wonderland that is CA. <br /><br />Warm and progresssing here, as well, except for a couple of illnesses in the family which scared us out of our wits, and a Dear One back Home who is being laid to rest today. I just had the thought that she, in the same position as I, as daughter-in-law to the family, had learnt that same shake-a-bag, sizzly-black-skillet method from our mutual angel of a MIL.<br /><br />(Pausing to retrieve a link): <br /><br />http://lawntea.blogspot.com/2009/01/passing-torch.html<br /><br />We're working, recuperating, grieving, and looking forward to the warmth and bright which return without fail, without our meagre help. <br /><br />Do say what you're doing and creating---it always adds glad.<br /><br />r<br /><br />RachelDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11204947567574886675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-19502529166567030472016-03-11T19:37:04.120-08:002016-03-11T19:37:04.120-08:00So pleased. I promise you'll enjoy it. Just ...So pleased. I promise you'll enjoy it. Just today, I harvested enough for our dinner as it keeps on growing.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-71814052075177867302016-03-11T14:42:54.062-08:002016-03-11T14:42:54.062-08:00Kale is on the list for our potager this autumn th...Kale is on the list for our potager this autumn then!Lord Cowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08022567039394790375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-65581011765383797302016-03-10T12:21:08.603-08:002016-03-10T12:21:08.603-08:00Hello Jen Lawrence,
I too was unaware of the Russ...Hello Jen Lawrence,<br /><br />I too was unaware of the Russian/Canadian kale connection until I wrote this post. This is a cold weather vegetable so it should not at all surprise me that it thrives in both of those chilly countries.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-85425035369930251962016-03-10T12:19:59.242-08:002016-03-10T12:19:59.242-08:00Dearest racheld,
I apologize for the late respons...Dearest racheld,<br /><br />I apologize for the late response to your lovely comment above. Know that I am flattered pink that I've somehow played a small part in your planting scheme. You will no doubt enjoy your herbs throughout the long hot summer and benefit from their fragrance and their taste. Summer is just around the corner.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-51708686330473070492016-03-10T12:17:02.702-08:002016-03-10T12:17:02.702-08:00Hello Lord Cowell,
Kale is all the rage in the Un...Hello Lord Cowell,<br /><br />Kale is all the rage in the United States at the moment, which amuses me greatly as I've been eating this humble leaf since before it was deemed "fashionable". It is not bitter in the least and I encourage you to plant some in your vegetable garden this autumn.<br /><br />I love your suggestion of a fried Bubble and Squeak. I think I'll try that next time I make Colcannon, thank you.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-89609075265529803212016-03-08T17:26:44.082-08:002016-03-08T17:26:44.082-08:00Looks intriguing - if you were to fry it it would ...Looks intriguing - if you were to fry it it would be a posh Bubble and Squeak. I'm not very familiar with kale. Is it bitter at all?<br />I am a big fan of leeks though.Lord Cowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08022567039394790375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-70603367631980078132016-02-25T11:55:46.666-08:002016-02-25T11:55:46.666-08:00Just dropping by to say thank you for your visits ...Just dropping by to say thank you for your visits and the kind words about the recent posts. <br /><br />I will tell you that due to you, I've been upstairs with the door wide, gazing out the screen and mapping out two vast pots for the two corners where sidewalk meets patio concrete---one of Basil (to use great handfuls at a time) and another of Dill with a little necklace round of Chives, for they're used a little more sparingly. And herbs steps from the kitchen---what luxury, what charm!<br /><br />Hope you're staying well and warm. I've left my card on the salver in the hall, but don't know what it means. Lawzy me---I can NEVAH remember which downturned corner means WHAT any more. I wonder just WHERE I've left Dear Emily Post . . .<br /><br />r<br /><br />RachelDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11204947567574886675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-14140363830765117962016-02-24T18:07:35.706-08:002016-02-24T18:07:35.706-08:00Those potatoes look divine. I was not aware of the...Those potatoes look divine. I was not aware of the Russian/Canadian Kale connection. Sounds quite intriguing! Jen Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05350176925586602027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-88773024084245456712016-02-24T10:54:16.622-08:002016-02-24T10:54:16.622-08:00Hello Karena Albert,
I adore the older varieties ...Hello Karena Albert,<br /><br />I adore the older varieties of kale, not only for their good looks, but for their flavor. The Russian Red Kale looks particularly beautiful, as you point out, with its lacy leaves and vivid purple spines. who needs flowers when you can drop a few of these leaves into a vase for a beautiful and sculptural arrangement.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-88139095808822269742016-02-24T10:51:05.841-08:002016-02-24T10:51:05.841-08:00Dear gésbi,
You say the kindest things, thank you...Dear gésbi,<br /><br />You say the kindest things, thank you. The garden is a labor of love, and one that I try my best to keep on top of (can be a bit of a pain at times, if I'm perfectly honest, especially in the springtime when the dreaded Oxalis raises its acid yellow head). <br /><br />I like your idea of mixing zucchini and onion in with the potato, which sounds perfectly delicious. I shall make sure to try it for myself in the summer when zucchini is at its best, thank you.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-59444648354528224672016-02-24T08:22:56.090-08:002016-02-24T08:22:56.090-08:00What bounty! I love the lacy leaves of the Russian...What bounty! I love the lacy leaves of the Russian Red Kale and can't wait to try your recipe. Looks delish!<br /><br />xoxo<br />Karena<br />The Arts by KarenaKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-18542186986736116472016-02-24T03:29:30.863-08:002016-02-24T03:29:30.863-08:00Dear Lady Domus, you have such a wonderful artisti...Dear Lady Domus, you have such a wonderful artistic and historic way of writing about your absolutely beautiful garden! It is a visual treat to see as well. Your family is very fortunate to have such wonderful vegetables for the table.<br />I will certainly try out colcannon. (Up until now, I've only made a mix of potatoes with zucchini and onion. I am ready for a bigger step and more pronounced flavors!<br />It is still chilly here and this weekend we enjoyed a soup of butternut squash, leeks (both fresh from the in-laws' garden) with garlic. It's always so simple to make really tasty dishes with good products.gésbihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18094108253356167918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-46290745196036802862016-02-22T09:47:11.145-08:002016-02-22T09:47:11.145-08:00I adore artichokes and remember seeing fields of t...I adore artichokes and remember seeing fields of them growing for the first time when I moved to California, just outside Half Moon Bay, where they are cultivated in abundance. I remember my father growing one plant in our house in Kent. He was so very proud of his efforts. I thought the plant quite beautiful as I watched it grow.<br /><br />Those wild leeks or onions grow rampant in the bay area in the spring. I've not tried them myself but perhaps I'll sample some the next time I encounter them, and will think of you.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-92065390220062764482016-02-22T09:43:41.354-08:002016-02-22T09:43:41.354-08:00Hello Natalia,
So kind of you to say, thank you. ...Hello Natalia,<br /><br />So kind of you to say, thank you. Both varieties of kale are delicious and I would have a hard time picking one over the other.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-63253164901839137102016-02-22T09:42:41.509-08:002016-02-22T09:42:41.509-08:00Hello, and welcome!
Thank you for your kind comme...Hello, and welcome!<br /><br />Thank you for your kind comment. The Tuscan kale is particularly flavorsome. Perhaps you too are lucky enough to source some for yourself and try it firsthand. Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-78682938613946775102016-02-22T08:36:00.698-08:002016-02-22T08:36:00.698-08:00What an amazing garden you have to source your foo...What an amazing garden you have to source your food from! I like the look of the Tuscan kale! Somerset Wedding Galhttp://www.holbrookhouse.co.uk/weddingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-8794661954868846322016-02-21T07:02:39.704-08:002016-02-21T07:02:39.704-08:00I've always loved your garden so much. And the...I've always loved your garden so much. And these guys look amazing, especially the first kale. xNatalia | Look-A-Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843316396695075919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-70673719113140864622016-02-20T12:48:25.119-08:002016-02-20T12:48:25.119-08:00Ah, to live in California. I will never forget th...Ah, to live in California. I will never forget the time I visited my daughter and I saw my first artichoke plant. You should have seen the tire marks I left on the road!!!<br /><br />When I first moved this house I pulled out what now look like your leeks thinking they were weeds. I kept smelling this oniony aroma until the light bulb moment clicked. Too late. I think I took care of the scallions too.<br /><br />I admire you CD. Your garden is an encyclopedia of fruits and vegetables!<br /><br />lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-55955109759304766752016-02-20T07:24:43.612-08:002016-02-20T07:24:43.612-08:00Hello Lisa,
I make sure to slice the leeks finely...Hello Lisa,<br /><br />I make sure to slice the leeks finely and cook them down so they are not "lumpy" but can well understand if you don't enjoy Colcannon as the texture of the other greens will render the dish a bit more "bumpy" than "lumpy".Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-46453981945805618212016-02-19T18:47:13.181-08:002016-02-19T18:47:13.181-08:00Love leeks. Have never taken to Colcannon though, ...Love leeks. Have never taken to Colcannon though, because when the potatoes are mashed, the leeks just feel like lumps to me. Perhaps smashed potatoes would be perfect for my finicky about texture self.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-84712210649776137082016-02-19T15:15:01.513-08:002016-02-19T15:15:01.513-08:00Hello Heidi,
Yes, what a huge difference between ...Hello Heidi,<br /><br />Yes, what a huge difference between my friend Gavin's leeks and my feeble examples. I'm not going to give up though and will leave them in situ for the duration of spring to see if they grow any better. Will report back then.<br /><br />I cannot imagine any child not enjoying their mash. You have an unusual brood there Heidi. You have me wondering what some of their favorite foods are. Please do tell me they enjoy other childhood favorites (sweets, cakes, all the good stuff) or I really will begin to believe you are rearing some very strange little ones!Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-32946402912489845692016-02-19T15:11:07.064-08:002016-02-19T15:11:07.064-08:00Hello Karen,
You are right to mention St. Patrick...Hello Karen,<br /><br />You are right to mention St. Patrick's day as Colcannon is a popular dish cooked up on that holiday. I suppose potatoes and the Irish are well connected.<br /><br />Do try growing kale in your own garden as I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it grows. I think in southern California it is best to plant it in the autumn.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-75910699236805400322016-02-19T14:49:13.029-08:002016-02-19T14:49:13.029-08:00Wow - what a difference in Leek size!! How disappo...Wow - what a difference in Leek size!! How disappointing for you. Perhaps they'll grow a little more in Spring when it's warmer and you get longer days? Were the Kale from the seeds you purchased at the Seed bank store you blogged about a while ago? <br />The colcannon looks delicious, and I'll definitely have to remember to make some when our weather turns more wintery. Although I seem to have very odd children as none of them like mashed potatoes! So strange. I'm constantly trying, and they all turn their noses up and decline to eat it. xHeidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432089507602828735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2454554472800124620.post-45097148809377859972016-02-19T13:33:50.724-08:002016-02-19T13:33:50.724-08:00CD,
Your kale inspired me to try my hand, is it on...CD,<br />Your kale inspired me to try my hand, is it only a winter grown vegetable? I love Colcannon but haven't made it for some time. I think with St. Patrick's Day coming up maybe I'll cook some. Your recipe you shared sounds delicious. I have an old Bon Appetit recipe that is very tasty too.<br />KarenKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064699521293763744noreply@blogger.com