Preservation
Usena / Old Man’s Beard
Usnea longissima is a genus of lichens that grows on deadwood in the family Parmeliaceae. It grows all over the world wherever the air is clean. Although it is now considered rare in the United State. It’s decline is air pollution and loss of habitat. Here in the Redwood Coastal Forest, it is still abundant. After a big wind, I only have to go outside… Read More »Usena / Old Man’s Beard
The Ancient One, Thieves
The potent antiviral, antibacterial cold, and flu remedy called “Thieves” have been spoken of for centuries by herbalists as a preventive tonic. It was used in the Middle ages orally and as inhalants to avoid contracting infection. It is even said that the “Thieves” during the black plague who stole from the dead, never contracted the plague. There is an old tale of four thieves… Read More »The Ancient One, Thieves
Black Magic Drawing Balm recipe
This traditional and very old drawing balm is all-natural and very effective on stings, bug bites, splinters, ingrown hairs, and boils. Basically, anything you want to pull out of the skin. It will not stain the skin and even has anti-biotic properties. This means that it will draw out what ails you and then protect against infection. Be forewarned, it will stain fabric! Place on… Read More »Black Magic Drawing Balm recipe
The Potato salad we eat on repeat this summer
I made my first attempt at pickles recently, complete with lots of spices, raw garlic, and fresh jalapenos. They taste great but were not as crunchy as I like. They do however work perfectly as a relish in my favorite potato salad this summer. We have been eating it on repeat. I love being able to use less mayonnaise and adding lots of flavor. Start… Read More »The Potato salad we eat on repeat this summer
Monterey Seaweed
On a recent trip back to where I was born on Monterey Bay to see family, I went walking on the beach. Firstly the sand is soooo soft at the back of the bay in Pacific Grove. And the Seaweeds are bright, beautiful, and colorful. I collected some off the beach and took it home to be dried for The Butterfly Hill. We will be… Read More »Monterey Seaweed
Moroccan Chicken with Salted lemons
This is my favorite recipe using the salted lemons I made with the abundance from our lemon tree here on The Butterfly Hill. I used 3 large pieces of chicken 1 cup chicken stock 2 medium onions 5 large cloves of garlic 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teasppon tumeric 1/2 teaspoon caynne pepper 1/4 paprika 1 cup green pitted olives olive oil 2… Read More »Moroccan Chicken with Salted lemons
Lemon Curd
4 lemons 7 tablespoons butter 2 1/2 cups sugar 4 large eggs beaten, beatem good…. Zest the lemons then squeeze the juice from them and put them thru a strainer. Put the lemon juice, zest, butter and sugar in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Gradually heat, wisking until the butter melts then take off the heat. Beat the eggs well and… Read More »Lemon Curd