Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Day 9 Challenge: Balcony, Vegetable, Okinawa Miracle!


Today, I was recovering from Oxygen poisoning (see yesterday) and getting thrown off a bull (see Sunday), so my new challenge needed to be pretty easy and close to home. 

In fact, I again looked to my favorite book recently, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and decided to create a whole meal completely from what I could grow or make with my own hands. 

The plan had been to make something with the homemade cheese, but we all know how THAT came out. Instead, I made homemade pasta and sauce from what I've been tending to in my garden.  I chose cherry tomatoes, a red pepper, fresh basil, and jalapenos-- such a great feeling to go outside and pluck exactly what I needed.


For the pasta, I used a recipe I found at Pioneer Woman.  To my surprise, it turned out to be surprisingly fast, and I didn't even have a pasta machine! 

Okay, so you're right-- I didn't grow my own wheat to make the flour, or raise my own chickens to hatch eggs, or press olives to make my own olive oil...I owe up to all that.  I know I can't officially claim it's completely homemade.

But how was the final result? Completely satisfying on so many levels... 

4 comments:

stacigrace said...

Hi Mary! I still check Okinawahai daily, even though I'm in Oklahoma right now. I saw your post and then clicked on your website-love it!!! And I also cruise Pioneerwoman daily, esp. when in Okinawa, reminds me of home. I would love to track Ree down. Looks like you guys are having a great summer! Tell Doug and Sue I say hello! And if you ever need any Space-A tips, Don't ask me! Took me over a week to get out of Okinawa once I started trying:(). Have a great summer, I'm on my way to Greece next week and hopefully back to Okinawa by November, waiting to see when hubby will return (fingers crossed for 6 months and no longer!). -Staci K

Mary and Sean said...

Hi Stacie,
I'm glad you stumbled on the blog! I wish you were going to be around to share this long steamy summer, but your plans sound fantastic! Looking forward to seeing you when you get back...

Carrie Stuart said...

This looks spectacular! I'm so impressed...and I won't even hold it against you that you didn't grow or grind your own wheat...or raise your own free-range hens for the eggs.

Joelle said...

Mary! I totally saw this pasta on Pioneer Woman a few weeks back and thought I'VE GOT TO TRY THAT! So you've inspired me again to get back to that post! :) LOVING the month! --Joelle

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