Mini Eggplant for the Patio....

Pot Black Eggplant

The tiny fruit produced by the Pot Black Eggplant is perfect for container growing.  Ripe from the size of a golf ball to a tennis ball, how did I miss out on this one for my balcony this year!?  Its flavor and texture is something I am interested in checking out, either way its leaves and pretty purply fruit would be a beautiful addition to any patio.  

The National Garden Bureau discusses this new varietal here.

And so far the only place I have found to buy seeds is DT Browns out of Europe.  

hmm.... D.T. Brown's Seeds

Fabulous Flatware

 

 I haven't wanted something this bad in a while.  I must find a way to make this flatware mine.  Dinnerware in general has a place in my heart, but this is just.... wow.  It is iridescent purple!

Find this beautiful flatware at Anthropolgie.

Potato Leek and Turnip Soup

4 cups of Water

2 cups of potatoes, diced
2 cups of turnips, chopped (smaller than the potaotes)
1 Leek, finely chopped
1/2 white onion diced

2 celery stalks
2 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper to taste
crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Bring water to  boil, salt water.  Add potatoes, leeks, onion.  bring back to a boil.  Turn heat down and simmer for 45 minutes.  Add desired amount of crushed red pepper.  Saute celery and garlic in pan and a bit of olive oil until garlic browns slightly.  After 30 minutes of water and veggie simmer time add celery mixture and oregano to pot.  Now adding this was definitely an after thought for me, but the crunch from the slightly less cooked celery was an exciting bonus.   Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!  Super easy, super healthy.   I did let this cook a little longer, which made the potatoes break down and thickened the soup. 

   Yummmmmmmmm....