Archive for the ‘Extra Info’ Category
In My Mother’s Garden: the White Hibiscus Dad Gave Mom
White Hibiscus Pair of Blossoms 22 August 2009
Single White Hibiscus Bud 22 August 2009
White Hibiscus In My Mother's Garden
NOTE: DoT has been posting from Honolulu since late July when she left California to help her mother through some medical procedures. She will be doing so until she can return to Orange County.
DoT’s Thot: Depression kids without much, there were few material luxuries; no fancy gifts, but Dad once gave Mom something she treasured, a white hibiscus cutting.
The White Hibiscus, Dad’s Gift to Mom
In a large pot, there is a hibiscus bush that sits near the garage in my mother’s garden. The blooms are a small, single white hibiscus. The blooms are pure white, rather dazzlingly so. The yellow pollen is the only contrast and the very simplicity of the flowers appeal to me. In a way, they reflect the direct sincerity that my parents have always had. They committed to their beliefs and whether I always agreed with them or not, I respect that straightforward characteristic.
Back View of the White Hibiscus with Buds
In My Mother’s Garden: a Memory
My father is gone now, but this white hibiscus plant is a good memory for mother. Dad’s gift keeps blooming in its pot and I look forward to seeing the white hibiscus on every visit.
Aloha, DoT
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Cooking in Hawaii: Ahi Sashimi with Shiso, Chili Pepper, and Shoyu
Shiso, Ahi, and Manoa Lettuce
NOTE: DoT has been posting from Honolulu since late July when she left California to help her mother through some medical procedures. She will be doing so until she can return to Orange County.
DoT’s Thot: Like fish and poi, laulau and lomi salmon, sashimi and shoyu are staple items that many islanders love. Here is one of my mother’s favorite dishes, ahi sashimi.
Plate of Ahi Sashimi with Shredded Manoa Lettuce and Shiso, Garnished with Shiso or Red Perilla Leaves
Mom Loves Ahi Sashimi with Chili Pepper and Shoyu (Soy Sauce)
At 92, Mom eats whatever is not too hard or crunchy (dentures don’t always allow for all foods). One of her favorite foods is raw fish and ahi sashimi is one that she loves. One day we were eating lunch alone together, so I stiopped at the market and got some ahi and took it home along with some Manoa lettuce. In the garden, Mom has some red perilla or shiso growing.
In addition, there are always some red chili peppers in the yard. Instead of the green wasabi that most people are familiar with at restaurants and sushi bars, one of our favorite ways of eating sashimi is with soy sauce and bird’s eye or tiny red chili peppers.
Chili Peppers and Shoyu for the Ahi Sashimi, Noe the Small Red Chili Next to the Bowl
Preparing the Ahi Sashimi with Chili Peppers and Shoyu
Once you are able to buy a nice block of ahi for sashimi, preparing this dish is simplicity itself. Shred some manoa lettuce or other tender lettuce leaves and scatter on a plate. Shred some shiso or red perilla leaves and sprinkle those on top of the manoa lettuce. Reserve some shiso or red perilla leaves for garnishing the dish. Slice the ahi sashimi and place them on the shredded Manoa lettuce and shiso. Garnish with the reserved shiso leaves.
For the chili peppers and shoyu, use light soy sauce and some small hot chile peppers. If the little island chilis are not available, you may use other varieties that appeal to you, such as Thai hot chili peppers or jalepenos. Break or chop the chili peppers into the soy sauce or shoyu and just be careful with the seeds. Some will want to eat the seeds for the extra zip; some will want to avoid them. Our family happens to like the flavor of chili peppers and shoyu better than that of wasabi and soy sauce.
We enjoyed this so very much.
Aloha, DoT
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Grow Tomatoes Review: Neves Azorean Red Tomato
NOTE: DoT has been posting from Honolulu since late July when she left California to help her mother through some medical procedures. She will be doing so until she can return to Orange County
DYT Neves Azorean Red Tomato July 24, 2009
DoT’s Thot:
Neves Azorean Red Tomato Characteristics
Neves Azorean Red Tomato is an indeterminate tomato plant (I) which is reputed to yield 1 to 3 pound fruit. The tomatoes are a deep red and very beautiful. In my southern California garden, these tomatoes proved to be a late season heirloom beefsteak tomato. The seedling for this tomato went into the ground in late March and I harvested my first four Azorean Red tomatoes on July 16, 2009.
Neves Azorean Red Heirloom Beefsteak Tomato Review
This heirloom beefsteak tomato slices up into a beautiful presentation and had a full, rich flavor. The deep red color is very attractive. My tomatoes did not achieve the large size that this tomato is reputed to have, but yielded a nice collection of tomatoes. There were more tomatoes ripening on the vine and still growing in size, but I had to leave my tomato crop late in July to come to Hawaii to help my mother through some medical issues. I wish to plant Neves Azorean Red Tomato again, since late season tomatoes give me an extended season with the tomatoes that I love so much.
Bottom Line: Neves Azorean Red Tomato
This tomato is on my plant again list, as I wish to have some nice red tomatoes toward the end of the season and an heirloom beefsteak tomato like this would be very welcome in my kitchen. My recommendation to self is to prune, watch the fertilization and try for larger fruit next year.
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In My Mother’s Garden: Red Ginger in Hawaii
Red Ginger After the Felicia Tropical Storm Showers in My Mother's Garden
NOTE: DoT has been posting from Honolulu since late July when she left California to help her mother through some medical procedures. She will be doing so until she can return to Orange County.
Top View of Red Ginger Plant in Bloom
DoT’s Thot: “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” — John Muir
Muir Woods did inspire me in the same way — my mother’s garden along the mountain side in Palolo Valley has also always seemed like a small trek into the wilderness. Wherever she could squeeze a plant in, in it went. Now that I am waiting for her surgery date, I go outside to take photos in my mother’s garden and share them with you.
Red Ginger Plants Sprouting from Between the Bracts of the Red Ginger Flowers
Red Ginger
One of the long-time residents in my mother’s garden has been the red ginger. It is hardy, a steady bloomer, and provides blossoms that are useful for tropical bouquets and for memorial offerings in the house or at the “haka” or graveyard. The beautiful red hue and stately, simple shape make this a highly desirable flowering plant in any garden scene in Hawaii.
As the plants mature, some of the red ginger blossoms will sprout young ginger plants from between the red bracts of the red ginger flowers. Mother reports that these can be planted to start more red ginger plants. Alas, I do not live in Hawaii and so cannot take these home to plant in my yard in California.
Red Samoan Ginger -- Bunching Ginger
Samoan Ginger: a Red, Bunching Ginger
A newer variety of red ginger that grows in my mother’s garden is what she introduced to me as a Samoan Red Ginger. It is much fuller and resembles a kind of tight bunching of the red ginger described above. It has a very heavy and full head of red bracts in a conical or “Christmas tree” shape.
Samoan Red Ginger Detail Showing White Bud and White Blossom
Actual Red Ginger Flowers are Modest, White
The real flowers are actually some very small and modest white blossoms among the red bracts. I have included a closeup so you can see them. Standing among the stalks of red ginger, I remember my childhood and the many occasions that these blossoms found their way into our home or as gifts to family and friends.
Aloha, DoT
Related Articles and References:
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- Wikipedia: prosopis pallida
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- Prosopis pallida: kiawe, keawe, algaroba, mesquite by Kim and Forest Starr
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Scene in Hawaii: Hawaiian Kiawe Tree Revisited
Kiawe Beans on Hawaiian Kiawe Tree in Hawaii Kai, 3 August 2009
Under the Kiawe Tree Looking at the Ocean Horizon, Hawaii Kai, August 2009
NOTE: DoT has been posting from Honolulu since late July when she left California to help her mother through some medical procedures. She will be doing so until she can return to Orange County.
DoT’s Thot: I suddenly remembered the burlap bags of kiawe beans for the cows!
Hawaiian Kiawe Tree at the Park
Last week, I took my mother for a drive. At 92, she is not up to walking about, but a drive to the park for a little breeze and to see the ocean and rest our eyes on the horizon is a nice occasion. We took a drive to Hawaii Kai and stopped at a little park. I stopped under a large tree and was enjoying a look at the ocean when I suddenly realized that I was under a kiawe tree.
Kiawe Tree Seed Pods Fed the Cows
I looked up and saw some of the yellow bean pods hanging from the tree and flashed back decades to a time when as a little girl I remember picking these up under such large trees with gnarled branches on Oahu in what was then a kind of rural area — Waialae. Today, this is a fully developed neighborhood. Back then, there were little farms and these huge kiawe trees here and there. We called the seed pods “kiawe beans” and collected them to sell to the dairy man.
Gnarled Kiawe Tree Branches, Hawaii Kai, August 2009
Took Some Pictures of the Kiawe Trees to Share
My mother and I reminisced about the burlap bags we filled with the beans to sell to the local dairy for $1 a bag as feed for the cows that gave the milk for the little children on Oahu. I remember having to avoid any fallen branches, because there were long thorns on those. In addition, the gnarled branches have a very unique and rustic appeal. I took some pictures. Reluctant to leave my mother in the car alone, I did the best I could sitting there. It was a little excursion down memory lane for Mom and me.
Aloha, DoT
Related Articles and References:
- Wikipedia: prosopis pallida
- Growing Bougainvilleas
- Prosopis pallida: kiawe, keawe, algaroba, mesquite by Kim and Forest Starr
Related Posts:
- Vegetarian Recipes: Star Anise Flavored Boiled Peanuts
- In My Mother’s Garden: Neem Tree; Miracle Herb from India
- Scene in Hawaii: View from My Mother’s Hospital Room
- Scene In Hawaii: Rooster at the Shopping Center
- In My Mother’s Garden: Pakalana, One of My Favorite Fragrant Vining Flowers
- Cooking in Hawaii: Manoa Lettuce, My Favorite Salad Greens
- In My Mother’s Garden: the White Hibiscus Dad Gave Mom
- Cooking in Hawaii: Ginger Oil Chicken
- Cooking in Hawaii: Ahi Sashimi with Shiso, Chili Pepper, and Shoyu
- In My Mother’s Garden: Shell Ginger Hidden Among the Red Ginger
- In My Mother’s Garden: Red Ginger in Hawaii
- Scene in Hawaii: Monarch Butterfly Caterpiller in a Supermarket Garden Shop
- Scene in Hawaii: Hawaiian Bougainvillea “Dragons”
- Scene in Hawaii: Hawaiian Snowflakes, Rainbow Shower Tree Haiku
- A Note on Monarch Butterflies in Hawaii
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Buy Spices In Larger Quantities to Fill Your own Spice Jars
