Thursday, June 25, 2015

Rooting Plumeria/Frangipani From Stalk Cuttings


Plumeria, also known as Frangipani, is a fixture of California gardens.  Sculptural trunks, vibrant green leaves, small, elegant, fragrant blossoms touched by the color blends of a divine make-up artist, they've got it all.  They are not water hogs either.  They actually like a well drained soil and to be lightly moist in the growing season.  During the winter, they need little if no additional watering.  They bloom and grow well in sunny locations, and root readily in pots.  There are many ways to root plumerias, but this method from expert gardener Alden Norris worked like a charm for me, and didn't require any delicate cutting transplanting operations.  Let's see how it's done.  In pictures and descriptions:

Choose a well draining pot, unglazed terra cotta works well.  This one has a pedestal base, so the roots will not sit in water.  Rot and damp are the most common causes of plumeria failure.  Use broken pot shards to cover the drainage holes, top w/ a good well drained potting mix.  Use something like a water bottle to create a cylindrical impression in the potting mix.  
Now you have a perfect divot to put in perlite, sand, pumice or gravel.  Make sure there is about an inch or two of soil in the bottom of the indentation.  
Add in the drainage mix, about half way up.  I used a fine gravel mix.  Make sure to wear blue garden crocs when executing these sensitive garden operations. JK
Insert the prepared cutting and top off w/ more gravel.  Let's talk about the cuttings and how to prep them out.  Take a good cutting, preferably w/ two or three branches on the stalk.  I did this one in September.  But from mid spring to late summer should work fine.  Get a nice clean cut on the stem and allow the stem to dry for several days.  You're looking for a dry, healed cut and a bit of dryness on the plant.  Wait until the stem is a little bit stressed, no longer plump before you root it.  
Make sure your cutting is nicely in the center of the gravel or sand mix and then add a layer  on top of the soil.  Make a mental note to ask an Australian to tell you what they know about the plant they call Frangipani.  Everything sounds so alluring in a Aussie accent.  
Next add a layer of decorative stones for both beauty and to protect the plant from damp soil that may encourage stem rot.  
Secure the cutting in place w/ some larger stones to keep it upright.  It'll be top heavy while it's rooting so it needs some support.  Learn more about plumeria fun facts while you nurture your new addition.  
Trim off some of the larger leaves, leaving just a few medium and small green leaves to power the plant.  Too many leaves in the rooting process stress the plant as it tries to grow new roots.  Learn more about the mighty Plumeria, originally a Central American native plant that has ingratiated itself into tropical locales all around the world.  
And now the fun begins.  Your new plumeria will need some regular care during the rooting phase.  It needs to be moist enough to encourage growth, yet never overly saturated.  Water it well once to make sure that the soil is fully moist.  If using a terra cotta pot as we did, put the entire planted pot into a container of water and let it to soak in the water for one hour.  Then remove it from the water and let it drain fully.
Set the planted cutting w/ its nicely trimmed foliage in a sunny spot.  Ideally on a concrete or stone patio.  The heat from the warm concrete will encourage rapid and vigorous root growth.  Water frequently, but make sure the water drains from the pot.  They do not want to sit in sogginess.  Rooting takes a month or two.  You'll know your plant has roots when the stem plumps up and the leaves broaden out.  Remember that plumeria is deciduous so, they will lose most or all of their leaves in the winter months.  Once rooted, they may not bloom right away.  They usually do not bloom until after a full dormant period.  And they may not bloom for up to three seasons.  Don't despair.  The plant itself is beautiful, very sculptural and a garden feature all on its own.  
The blooms are deliciously fragrant, but somehow don't really show up much on the plant itself.  You must seek them out.  They make stunning cut flowers.  They float well in glass vessels, last long and remain fragrant while you enjoy them indoors.  They are ideal bed room blossoms. 
Here is the fully rooted, established plant after going through one winter and now all greened up w/ healthy vibrant leaves in the summer of 2015.  

Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!





Monday, June 22, 2015

Crema Spoon Bread

Twice baked crema spoon bread adorns roasted udon cake & sake simmered spring vegetables
This versatile one dish low and slow baked wonder is great served up fresh and hot from the oven on every buffet & brunch table and wonderful used in place of cheese or egg scramble in all sorts of dishes.  Feast your eyes on the photos.

Amount
Measure
Ingredient
Prep Method
4
Large
Organic eggs

2
Cups
Organic rema
Homemade
2
Tablespoons
miso


Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the above ingredients.  Then whisk in the following:

3
Tablespoons
Hemp seeds

2
Tablespoons
Coconut flour
Or favorite gf flour
1
Tablespoon
Flax seed meal

1
Tablespoon
Rosemary

1
Tablespoon
Citrus zest

1 ½
Teaspoon
Smoked paprika

½
Teaspoon
Sea salt

½
Teaspoon
Black pepper

½
Teaspoon
Chili flakes
Optional
2
Tablespoons
Champagne vinegar
Or cider vinegar

Then stir in

1/3
Cup
Favorite cheeses
Diced

Any favorite Parmesan, white cheddar, aged gouda, gruyere, emmentaler, compte, and goat cheeses of all ilks, from chevre to hard goat cheeses.

Next fold in

3
Cup
Mixed organic veggies
Frozen A OK

This is a great place to use a good quality organic vegetable medley.  I prefer the ones that include corn, carrots, peas and maybe eda mame. 

Butter a ceramic or glass casserole dish or a 12” non stick skillet.  Spoon the mixture in and place into a cold oven.  Set the temperature to 325 and a timer for 45 mins.  After the first 45 mins top w/

1/3
Cup
Crema

1 ½
Tablespoons
Fresh minced herbs


Drizzle this mixture over the top.  It doesn’t need to cover fully or be spooned in.  It’s like a glaze.  I use fresh basil blossoms for the herbs, but any fresh fragrant herb blend will work nicely, oregano, chives, parsley, chervil, tarragon, sage, etc.

Return to the oven for 45 mins more.  It’s done when set, slightly golden around the edges and beginning to pull away from the sides.


Avanti Crema Spoon Bread is amazingly adaptable, it’s gluten free, high protein, guilt free comfort food.  Use it to embellish almost every savory dish.

ORGANIC CREMA

1
Pint
Organic buttermilk

1
Pint
Organic cream

3
Cups
Organic whole milk



Combine all glass bowl or two quart pyrex measuring cup.  Cover w/ a plate and allow to culture at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours until nicely thickened and beautifully fragrant.  Spoon into glass jars and refrigerate. 
Open face tostada w/ baked crema spoon bread & fresh  poblano guacamole
Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland
Roasted organic Yukon gold potatoes w/ Avanti crema spoon bread & Ringo Rock Star HOT sauce
Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!





Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Kamut Couscous w/ Spring Vegetables


Simple, adaptable, wholesome & fast.  Kamut Couscous with Spring Vegetables is an ancient whole grain go to dish.  It's got craveability!  

Amount
Measure
Ingredient
Prep Method
2
Cups
Brewed tea, herbal tea or broth

1 or 2
Whole
Bay leaves
Optional
2 or 3
Slices
Fresh ginger
Optional
¼
Teaspoon
Chili flakes
Optional
½
Teaspoon
Sea salt

¼
Teaspoon
Pepper

2
Cups
Favorite organic vegetables
Frozen is fantastic

Directions:
Bring the brewed tea or broth to a boil in a covered medium saucepan, with the bay leaves, ginger & chili peppers if using.  Once boiling, add the salt and pepper and the frozen veggies as well as any of the optional ingredients listed below. 

1
Tablespoon
Favorite seeds
Sesame, flax, chia, pumpkin, etc
1
Teaspoon
Citrus zest

1
Tablespoon
Citrus juice

1
Tablespoon
Sherry, marsala, vermouth

1
Tablespoon
Rice, sherry, champagne vinegar

1
Tablespoon
Butter, evoo, coconut oil

2
Tablespoons
Currants, raisins

2
Tablespoon
Favorite nuts
Pistachio, sliced almonds, cashew pieces, etc

Don’t go overboard, just a couple at a time.  Return to a boil then add in

1 ¾
Cup
Kamut couscous


Stir once, top w/

1
Tablespoon
Fresh herbs



Cover the pot, turn off the heat.  Let sit for about 20 mins.  
Fluff w/ a fork and serve. 
WATCH how it's made on the Avanti Natural Lifestyle Network Cooking w/ Chef Mark Cleveland and Ryan Adams.  YouTube Kamut Couscous w/ Spring Vegetables
 The golden glow of a plated Kamut Ancient Grain Couscous w/ Spring Vegetables 
Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!