The plants like this hot weather and the garden has exploded in growth. No beans yet, lots of flowers. Everyone should find a weird round green thing, that is a kohlrabi for the uninitiated. Kohlrabi is one of the best vegetables in the garden because it is so versatile. It can be grated fresh into a salad. Sliced and eaten raw. Cooked and mashed with or without potatoes.

Bag of Romaine lettuce

Edible pea pods

Turnips, baby carrots, kohlrabi

Beets

Walla Walla onion

Basil

Cilantro

Bitty bag of spinach

Garlic

I’ve been making white pizza with the  edible pea pods. On a pizza crust smear 1 tsp. or more chopped garlic that has been sitting in about a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix together some white cheeses; mozzarella, feta, parmesan is my standard, with some fresh chopped basil and fresh ground pepper. Put this on top of the garlic and snap the peas in half (discard the strings from the pea’s point to point) and place peas on top of pizza. My pizza takes about 15 minutes at 450 but if you are using a prepared crust like Boboli it should take less time.

RAGOUT OF TURNIP, KOHLRABI, AND PEAS

1 Tbls butter melted in a skillet, add

onion sliced thickly and the turnip and kohlrabi cut into eighths. Add a sprig of herb and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt and water that will cover veggies about half way. Simmer for about 10 minutes until tender. Take strings off of a generous handful of peas. Cut or snap into bite size pieces. Throw into skillet with handful spinach and cook until spinach wilts down and peas are bright green. Stir in a dollop of either sour cream, cream, yogurt, or creme fraiche and add about a tablespoon or two of basil leaves slivered. Season with salt and pepper.

Last weeks chinese cabbage still leering at you?

Chop up a clove of garlic, sauté in large skillet with a tablespoon of oil. Add some fresh minced ginger. Now take some chinese cabbage that has been sliced up nicely and toss that in the skillet, add couple of tablespoons of water and steam-saute the mixture until it starts to wilt or you deem it tender crisp. Add a tablespoon of soy sauce, some sliced basil and chopped cilantro, throw in some toasted sesame seeds and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seed oil if you have some and call it good. You can also make it into cole slaw if you want with an asian bent of course.

    1/2 jalapeno chile finely diced

    3/4 c rice vinegar + 1 tsp sugar

    1/4 t salt

    1/4 c. oil- Mix this until oil is combined. Toss over 4 cups of thinly sliced cabbage, 2 cups sliced lettuce leaves, 1/2 cup grated carrots, 1/4 c. chopped cilantro, 2 Tbls. chopped basil leaves, some chopped mint. Before serving add    1/4-1/2 cup roasted peanuts. Oh and add thin slices of Kohlrabi if you want, too