May 18, 2010

The Lawn Competition That We're Not Winning

Here's a sweet little pic of the kidlets hamming it up on our front lawn. And look at how we lucked out with a swack o' perennial flowers blooming in our lawn.


Wait. What? Those aren't perennials?

They're weeds?

Guess we'll add that one to the mile long list of things to do this long weekend.

Turns out, after a brief survey of three streets that surround our house that yes, we do indeed have the ugliest, most gnarly lawn of them all. Something to be proud of, really. I've seen more landscaping trucks driving slowly by our house shaking their heads than I care to share with you.

Jason did some research on dandelion infestations* because I REFUSE to use any chemicals on our lawn.

Baby + sitting on lawn = hearty green snack

Also, in Calgary, ground and grey water is routed directly into the Bow, UNFILTERED. The main reason why there is no street car washing allowed. So anything that we put on the lawn ends up in the river, which we drink. Ahh, the circle of life.

He found out that lo', you can eat dandelions! Good in salads, dressing and even makes a decent wine. So really, by cultivating our dandelion infestation, we're really embracing sustainable urban gardening. Edible landscaping. I'm sure everyone in the neighbourhood will love us for it!

Here's a recipe I found online. Looks like something you do to cooked spinach to make it taste good. No matter what goodness you cover cooked spinach with, it's still just a bunch of slimy leaves.

Dandelion Greens

Ingredients:
1 pound dandelion greens**
1/2 cup chopped onion1 clove garlic, minced
1 whole small dried hot chile pepper, seeds removed, crushed
1/4 cup cooking oilsalt and pepper
Parmesan cheese

Preparation:
Discard dandelion green roots; wash greens well in salted water. Cut leaves into 2-inch pieces. Cook greens uncovered in small amount of salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Sauté onion, garlic, and chile pepper in oil. Drain greens; add to onion garlic mixture. Taste dandelion greens and season with salt and pepper. Serve dandelion greens with grated Parmesan cheese.
Recipe for dandelion greens serves 4[00].

Anyone want to come over for dinner? I'm serving Severely Neglected Lawn.

LP

*oh, speaking of infestations, did I mention we have a cute little mouse family in our garage? Super.

**sure glad I have an entire lawn made up of dandelions for the pound that I'll need for this recipe - is this a recipe for an entire neighbourhood?

2 comments:

Miss Peanut said...

I freaking love you.

Laura said...

Hey fellow secret blogger! Love your blog. I checked it out yesterday. I'm back next week so will stop into the office to say bonjour.

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