Don't think that because it's winter you can't do any gardening. There's a lot you can do. Even if it's just 'desktop gardening' - planning, reading, sorting recipes, dreaming, etc.
I like to focus my winter gardening efforts on designer greens and containers because I can move them with the sun, and I can bring them indoors during bad weather spells. Browse through www.gofoodgardening.com. You'll find lots of tips and ideas.
It's also a good idea to get some 'frost cover' from your garden centre before it's too late. Remember that the 'frost cover' should not touch your plants and that you must remove it during the day.
And to get you into that 'winter mode' here is one of my favourite soup recipes. Serve it with freshly baked Chilli Corn bread, Sweet & Spicy Tomato Jam, and Sherry.
Hearty Veggie Soup Recipe
2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
10 mushrooms, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 can corn, drained
1 potato, peeled, cut into chunks
1cup green beans cut in half
4 cups vegetable broth
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes, drained
bouquet garni consisting of:
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup fresh cilantro (coriander leaves), chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
¼ cup fresh oregano, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Finely chopped chives to garnish
In a heavy large soup pot combine zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, celery, corn, potatoes and green beans.
Add vegetable broth, tomatoes, and the bouquet garni (parsley, cilantro, garlic, and oregano.) Bring the mixture to a boil.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Take 3 cups of vegetables from pot and ¼ cup cooking liquid and liquidize. Stir puree into rest of soup and season to taste. Heat through, garnish with chives and serve.
Let me know how it tasted.
Source: The Seasoned Chef
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