Planting Garlic Pt 1

One of the things I was considering growing was garlic. I actually wanted to grow some unique breed but I figured I should start with the basics first.

I've read mix reports about growing garlic in containers. Some say don't do it cause they won't grow and some other people had success.

Based on what I can tell, I believe I just need a big enough container so that the garlic doesn't know it's being grown indoors and i should be fine.

So I used my biggest container that I have and planted 5 cloves of a Quebec Garlic that I got at the farmers market.

I figured if they can grow it in Quebec which has slightly colder weather then I have, I can plant these outdoors next winter and have garlic in the fall.

For now, I'll test indoors.

These were planted on Jan 16 2016. I picked the bigger cloves that have already started sprouting. 

Target date for readiness will be Aug/Sept, but since it's inside my house and not getting winterover, it might be ready before the fall.

Bean Sprouts Noodle

This is probably one of my favourite noodles.
I always ordered it when we went to yum cha as a kid.
It's so easy to make that anyone can make it at home!

It's also very versatile. Add in additional things like meat and more veggies to make it a complete meal.

Bean Sprouts Noodle

Ingredients

• 400g Bean Sprouts
• 2 Green Onion
• 1 Yellow Onion
• Noodles - Depends on the size, I used 6 150g dried noodles in the picture.
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1-2 tbsp Soy Sauce (to taste)
• White pepper powder (optional to taste)
• Meat (optional)

Directions

1. In a pot, add some water, set temperature to high and boil the water.
2. Wash the Bean Sprouts in a tub of water. Get rid of anything that's mushy and limpy. 
3. Your water should be boiling by  now. Add your noodles into the pot and stir. Cook until 80-90% cooked. 
4. While the noodle is cooking, wash your green onions and cut into 2 inch strips.
5. Cut your yellow onion into strips as well.
6. Your noodles should be done by now, pour the noodles into a metal strainer to strain the water.
7. Let it sit there and drain as much liquid as possible so you're not bringing it over when you add the noodle to the wok.
8. In a wok, set the heat on medium and let the wok heat up. Cook the garlick, yellow onion, white part of the green onion and bean sprouts.
9. Bean sprouts are cooked when they are translucent.When most of the bean sprouts are translucent, add in the noodles.
10. Mix the noodle well with the rest of the items in the wok. Pour the Soy Sauce in a circle pattern around the wok and noodles. Mix well.
11. Pepper is optional so you can add this after to your own plate if you like.

And you're done!!

Tip: If you want to add meat to make this a complete meal, cook the meat at the beginning and then remove it before you cook the rest so it doesn't become too tough. Add it back into the dish once the noodles is done cooking.

Tip 2: You can add more if you like more bean Sprouts. I normally add more then what's listed just because I love my veggies!

Germinating Lettuce Seeds

I'm trying to start a garden this year and I figured I can get a head start with practicing doing a bit of growing indoors during the winter.

According to what I read, Lettuce does well in cool temperature and considering my house is anywhere between 15-19 degrees Celsius, it's supposed to be perfect temperature for growing lettuce.

I've tried 3 different methods of germinating seeds so far.

1. Direct to soil - complete fail. 0/7 seeds germinated.

2. Paper towel method - 2/4 after 1 week. 

3. Just water - 3/7 in 3 days, 5/7 in 4 days, 7/7 in 5 days.

Seems like so far I have the best success rate with just water method.

It is the fastest and easiest way to germinate seeds and when I compare the roots in the paper towel method and just water, the water one generates bigger taps in the 3 days then the paper towel does in 1 week. 

For the water method, I used a small opaque container to block out all light. Added enough water so that the seeds are just floating around. 

I kept my container in the kitchen where the temperature is more consistent and warmer so it doesn't drop below 15 degrees Celsius. 

Change the water ever day.

You'll start seeing the seeds split after 1 day. Then day 2 little roots will start emerging. Then day 3 it'll curl :)

I've heard tap roots are sensitive during transplant so my fingers are cross I didn't hurt them. We'll see how many grows after another 2 weeks :)

I feel like doing the Totoro dance to make them grow

Okonomiyaki

I actually took a bit of time off this holiday which gave me time to play around with recipes as well as trying new things out.

One of the items I've been meaning to try for a while is making Okonomiyaki.
I know you can easily buy the powder mix and mix it in but I really didn't want to do that.
I was determined to make it from scratch. So after some searching, I found this recipe and decided to try.

It was pretty easy to make surprisingly.
I was able to get the Nagaimo from my local Chinese supermarket.
And it turns out it grates easily.
I thought I would be dealing with a potato since it is a mountain potato. But it turns out it grates even easier then cheese.

Seeing how all the work to making Okonomiyaki comes from shredding of cabbage and other things you want to add in it. It seems like making this from scratch vs a mix is honestly  not that much more work and totally worth it.

Give the recipe a try. So yummy and really reminds me of what I had in Kyoto :)