What is the Subject of Your Container Garden?

Container gardening has to be the simplest form of landscaping. It takes very little effort, you don't have to be an expert gardener, the attractive planters can fit in with virtually any decorating scheme, you can move em around, and the best part, weeding is virtually non-existent. If you hook up a drip watering system, you don't even have to water them!

Some basic rules to remember are:

- allow for adequate drainage by putting gravel in the bottom of the pot

- use containers that are large enough to accommodate a mature plant (to save you transplanting)

- know your plants - if they like sun – don't give them shade

Try to be creative by combining a variety of plants in various complimentary color combinations or better yet, combine them to reflect different themes. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Salsa Garden

Get bright yellow or orange planters, or create your own by decorating with a cactus or lizard pattern. Include the following plants: two chile pepper plants, one golden tomato plant, a tomatillo or husked green tomato plant, and cilantro.

Pizza Garden

Include these homegrown treats on your next pizza: oregano, basil, fennel, onions, bell peppers, roma tomatoes, and eggplant.

Stir Fry Garden

The next time you make stir fry, here are your veggies, just add shrimp or chicken: Onions, zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, green beans. Add stakes for the climbing beans and let the zucchini trail over the sides of the container.

Pesto Garden

You'll love this pesto garden containing just basil and garlic.

Pasta Sauce Garden

You'll have the freshest sauce in town with this garden that contains: roma tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, onions, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic.

Herbal Tea Garden

Make a fresh cup of herbal tea by picking a few leaves and allowing them to steep in a tea ball. At the end of the season, you can bring your planter indoors or trim your herbs and dry them. Here is a good selection to begin with, and don't be scared to mix and match: bee balm or bergamot (also used in Earl Grey), lemon balm, mint (choose different types), and relaxing chamomile.

If you're working out in the garden on a hot day, fill a tea pot with water, throw in a few leaves and let it steep to make Sun Tea.

Culinary Herb Garden

There is nothing like using fresh seasonings for your cooking and this selection can be used in hundreds of different dishes: Thyme, lemon thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, marjoram, chives, dill, parsley, sage, and tarragon. You may need two large containers for this one!

Tomato Salad Garden

In your container plant beefsteak tomatoes, green onions, and basil. Just add lots of extra virgin olive oil and some Italian bread and you'll have a salad you'll want over and over again. It's even more decadent if you add mozzarella cheese.

Scented Garden

Nothing is nicer than sitting outside and catching a scent of a fragrant bloom. Just run your hand through these plants to get an extra whiff: lavender, scented geranium, rosemary, and lemon balm.

Houston Texas Garden

We were contacted by the owner of a Houston, Texas home who asked us to design a series of gardens and landscaping features that would compliment and expand the Mediterranean theme of his house into the surrounding landscape. This house sat on a very large lot of several acres in a secluded Memorial Drive neighborhood located near the 610 Loop. The home featured a symmetrical, linear appearance in spite of its two-story build, and our client wanted a landscape and garden design that would follow these same principles of self-contained regularity and subtle linear motion.

Creating a Mediterranean theme in a Houston, Texas garden and landscape is a bit more complex that it might appear at face value. The southern coast of Europe-particularly in Italy and Greece-is a mountanous area where homes and gardens are built on steep angles and sharp vertical rises. Gardens and fields are often built in terraces that climb the mountains due to the limited planting area and rough, rocky terrain. Limestone is the predominant rock type in Italy and Greece and has become iconic of this part of the world in our collective consciousness. Mediterranean homes and gardens are historically famous for their white stucco walls, olive groves, and carefully sculptured greenery embedded in a rugged limestone backdrop.

The challenge lay in taking an essentially three-dimensional landscaping style and transfering it to a Houston property. As we all know, this part of Texas is very flat, so a hillside garden is out of the question in the literal sense. However, using a combination of symmetrical forms and linear progressions, along with some innovative garden materials, we were able to mimic several aspects of seaside European terrain.

The key to doing this was to establish a combination of circular forms and linear patterns in the multiple garden elements we designed. French and Italian gardens place a heavy emphasis on order and symmetry, and both tend to utilize right angles to establish form. We planted a variety of low level growth around the house and rear swimming pool patio to emphasize its walls and corners. We then added three keynote forms to the landscape to create a Houston equivalent of a Mediterranean garden.

The first of these forms was a knot garden centered on the front door, located just in front of the home's motorcourt. We planted boxwoods in three circular rows that looked like terraces on a hillside. In the center of the knot garden we planted Loropatalum, punctuated with a lone Crinum lily as the center piece. The rich purple of the Loropatalum draws catches the eye, and the vertical dimension added by the lily draws it upward to the front entrance of the house.

Moving then to one side of the house, we transformed a substantial portion of the yard into a parterre garden that centered on a large glass room that extended from the west wing of the house. This garden was populated by low-growth rose bushes whose amenability to constant trimming makes them an ideal plant material for parterre gardens, and whose colorful blooms a made them stand out from multiple vantage points throughout this Houston neighborhood. The garden borders were made from of boxwood hedges, and the central pathways were made using European limestone gravel that mimics the color of the limestone cliffs of the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. We then completed the design by adding dwarf yaupon, a small shrub that bears a curious resemblance to clouds, all along the borders of the gravel walkways. This helped create the impression that the garden was located on a hilltop near the sea, and that the clouds were rolling across the shoreline.

One of the most appealing attributes of this Houston, Texas property is its superb location. The back of the yard borders a 50-foot ravine carved out of the earth by a major tributary of Buffalo Bayou. This seemed to us a natural destination spot for garden guests to visit after strolling around the west wing of the home to the pool. To encourage them to do so, we planted an alley of crepe myrtles leading from the pool area all the way back to the woods along the ravine. We then built a walkway out of limestone aggregate blocks that started at the parterre garden, ran alongside the house to the pool, then ran straight out through the alley of trees to the scenic overlook of the forest and stream below.

Add Some Magic With Garden Lighting

Anyone who knows me well knows that there is no place I would rather be at the end of a long day than out in my garden enjoying a cup of tea. In the cool fall and spring months, I prefer a cup of hot peppermint tea in my garden, and in the heat of summer I apt for a cup of iced lemon tea. There is something magical about being in my backyard garden that I just cannot get enough of. I have read more books, journaled more pages, and shared more great conversations with my family in our garden than almost anywhere else. The atmosphere of my garden was recently made even more magical when we strung garden lighting throughout the entire thing.

I have no idea why I hadn't thought of using great garden lighting before, but I was definitely open to the idea when my artistically driven teenage daughter suggested it as we sat on our back porch one night with tea cups. She thought that garden lighting might do something special for the mood of the garden and that it might make us want to spend even more time there.

Before I knew it we had sat our tea cups down and were headed to a local gardening store to see what kinds of garden lighting we could find. We were amazed when we took time to look through the store at how many garden lighting options we had. We choose a few strings of tiny Chinese laterns that we in bright teal and olive colors. We both loved them and knew that they would be the perfect garden lighting for our needs.

We rushed home and decided not to wait until morning to put the garden lighting up. Instead, we went immediately to our backyard garden and began stringing the lights from tree to tree to tree. After checking to see that all of the bulbs worked, we decided not to let ourselves turn the garden lighting on until we had it all up and hanging in place. I'm so glad we waited because when we finally turned on our new garden lighting it was amazing. The small and colorful Chinese laterns did a lot for the look and feel of our garden. The garden lighting only made it more inviting than it was before.

We gathered the rest of our family and brought them outside to see our work. They enjoyed the garden lighting as much as we did and within minutes we were making popcorn and had plans to enjoy the backyard garden together that evening. I love the way my garden lighting looks, but even more than that I love the way our garden has become a gathering place for the people I love most.

Garden Bugs

For as much as I like most bugs, they undoubtedly have a way of ruining a garden in a very timely fashion. As a child, I would run from the garden to the woods, transplanting as many garden bugs as possible before my mother came out to send them to their final resting cloud in the sky. I always thought it was rather unfair to kill garden bugs. After all, they were just bugs who were hungry and had landed in the garden to eat. How are garden bugs supposed to tell the difference between the regular plants and the garden?

As an adult, however I now understand the vast amount of money that can go into a garden, and I understand that garden bugs have a critical mass population and wiping out a few hundred isn't something that is going to send my soul to hell, so down with the garden bugs.

Fortunately there are some very effective methods of dealing with garden bugs that are inexpensive, non-toxic, and safe for everyone except the garden bug. Depending on the particular garden bug you find yourself plagued with you may very well be able to get rid of your pesky garden bugs without ever having to chemically treat your garden.

I know that slugs are not a garden "bug" per se, except that they are in your garden and they definitely bug you as they slowly destroy all you plants. Personally, I like slugs and do make the effort to remove them before killing them. However, once I am outnumbered, my only option is to send them off to a happy garden bug heaven.

Slugs are very attracted to beer. When killing garden bugs with beer, quality actually does matter. They seem to prefer the Corona or Killian's type of beer, bug for a garden bug, they certainly like to swing it back. Tupperware containers that are no more than an inch high with about ¾ of an inch of beer on the bottom placed strategically around the garden will attract this sweet and loveable garden "bug" where he will merrily drink himself into a drunken stupor and fall fast into a permanent sleep. It is my belief that if we have to kill the garden bugs, we should do so with as much kindness and thoughtfulness as humanly possible.

Japanese Beetles, the garden bug that loves to murder the rose bushes, quietly rest in perpetual silence in a small jar of olive oil. These garden bugs are simple to scoop into a small jar where they will ultimately fall into a peaceful permanent sleep.

Of course, there are specific plants that will help minimize garden bugs in your garden. Planting Basil next to your ground cover for instance helps deter tiny gnats once the basil reaches maturity. The list is endless. Next time your garden bugs are snacking heavily, check out the vast array of alternative methods of deterring and destroying garden bugs without causing significant harm to plants, pets, children, or other helpful small creatures.

What Makes Up a Good Mediterranean Garden?

A Mediterranean garden is one of the eye catching gardens that have the look and feel of a European get away even when the garden is located in Southern California. This is a tasteful and colorful type of garden that is found in places like Italy, Spain or Greece with a maraud of colors and old world charm.

The Mediterranean garden also includes things made of stone, concrete or ceramics and can include fountains or ponds that lend a cooling and relaxing atmosphere to the garden. In a true Mediterranean garden there are plants and trees that are of olives, citrus, and vines of grapes, along with Pomegranates. Plants that are found in these gardens are Lavender, Rosemary, Oleanders and even the common Geranium. This garden is usually built upon a mixture of edible herbs and fruits among the color and beauty of flowers to make it an appealing and aromatic place to relax. Relaxation is one of the key features in the Mediterranean garden; this can be from a simple stone bench, a swinging seat or the table located on the stone or brick patio. One thing that is out of place in this garden is wood and metal, this is a garden built on old world charm and not the modern conveniences of today, like the wood that is placed to hold some beds in place or help to raise them.

The most important thing to remember with a garden of this type is to choose the plants that will go into it carefully and be aware of their watering needs. This garden is not located in the climate of Italy, Spain or even the South of France; it is located in a place like Southern California. That means the plants must be able to tolerate the climate in this location successfully to flourish yearly.

These gardens can also include plants like roses that can be found in a huge variety of colors and flower sizes to help compliment the garden in their elegant way. They are a relaxing garden that often have stone or brick pathways winding through them to lend to the Mediterranean feel.

One feature about this type of garden is the aromatic herbs that can be planted such as sage and rosemary that other types of garden might not include, the herbs are ones based on the herbs that can be found in the Mediterranean gardens of Italy or Greece. In the garden it is possible to find a relaxing seat hidden amid the floral and scents of herbs.

While these are lively gardens filled with color and smell they also should include the old world charm that is gained by the use of cement, stone and brick found in these original gardens that are often used to make paths through the garden for a relaxing look of a place to gaze upon the colors and smells.

This is the type of garden that can fit the style of any home and can give the appearance of a warm inviting hideaway.

Find Out About Helpful and Nutritional Information About Olive Oils

Should I begin to use olive oils at home? Read more and a lot of questions related to olive oils will be answered here.

One of the oldest foods known to mankind comes from the olive tree, native to Mediterranean regions. The olive tree is mentioned frequently in the Bible, also in the Garden of Gethsemane and well-known in the Jewish tradition, where the oil miraculously burned for eight days. Olive oils occupy a major place today, a subject of cooking delights, winning praises from nutritionists as a healthy way to avoid cholesterol problems.

A lot of countries where olive trees thrive declare that the olive oils they produce locally is superior. There are different class, with different uses suitable to a given gastronomic application. To the average cook, the subject of olive oils may prove unclear. When do you use cold-pressed, extra virgin oil? To dress your salad perfectly, which kind of oils is suitable? What's best for general cooking? Spanish or Italian? Let's take a quick look at what's offered and try to clarify some of the mystery.

All olive oils are missing one component you can find in almost every other type of oil - cholesterol. As a starting point, you know you're making a healthy diet choice when you opt for olive oils.

Now let's talk about country of origin? Italy, Spain, Greece and France all have prolific olive producing regions, and compete with one another for the top rank in quality and purity.

The truth is that every olive producing region has climate and soil conditions, giving a distinctive character to the oils produced and doesn't have much to do with an inherent level of quality that can be identified as inferior or superior. Climate and soil makeup procure a distinctive flavor, amounting to simple preference or affinity of special oils to foods within the same locale.

The grading of olive oils is another story. The refinement of the product is defined by grading, mostly noticeable in the acidity.

The "extra virgin" label is designated to the first "cold" pressing of the olives. This designation prescribes a maximum of 0.8% acidity, suitable for the finest salad dressing, where the top flavor of the cold pressing is recognised.

Oils called "virgin" are known to be a lower class, but still an acceptable salad dressing quality. Virgin olive oils must not contain more than 2% acidity, and must not contain refined oil. As the delicate flavor will be lost in cooking, virgin oils should not be wasted in cooking.

Products just labelled "olive oil" do not aspire to strong or refined flavours and are best suited to cooking. Likewise, a label that says "100% pure" or "Imported from Italy" could be misleading, implying a degree of quality that is not warranted. Such labels indicate the lower end of quality, composites of oils from many countries, suitable to frying without the fine distinctive essence and low acidity of virgin olive oils.

Among chefs, olive oil is a cult thing. It's important to understand the grades if you want to get the most from your cooking. Anyhow, remember that these oils have no cholesterol and it will do your heart good to understand the fine points. So here you go, I hope you will look at olive oils in a different way from now on. Take care of your health now, do not wait.

How to Cure Olives

You can cure olives at nearly any stage, but the really tiny green ones aren't really worth it. We sell raw green olives that grow from medium to super large. Grown with tender loving care in the sunny Central Valley area of California, USA. The differences between green and black olives are their ripeness and method of preparation. If interested in purchasing some of our raw olives visit our Raw Olive Order Page. You've got several choices, depending on your curiosity and fanaticism.

Every hour on the hour for the next 12 to 14 hours remove lid and plate and mix the olives thoroughly from top to bottom while swirling the stick at a slight angle.  Be sure to use gloves during this process so as to not get lye on your skin.  You will notice that the water will eventually turn to a brownish color.   The dark brown color indicates that the lye solution is removing the bitterness from the olives.

Olive trees, however-which have a very long life-don't stop producing fruit just because they've become mere decorations. Literally tons of olives go to waste in southern California every year! Part of the crop, of course, is consumed by starlings, one of the few birds that will eat the bitter berries. The lush oval fruit also makes super ammunition for the slingshot set (the ripe ones find their target with a satisfying purple splat).

Start tasting olives after about two weeks to check on bitterness. When you are happy with the taste of the olives drain the salt water, rinse, shaking of excess water.

Place the olives in cold water. Completely cover all of the olives, make sure none are poking out. This can be done in a pan. You may need to weigh them down with something. At least once a day, change out the water with fresh, cold water. Make sure you don't forget, otherwise bacteria could build up in the water.

Wash olives. With a sharp knife, make a cut in the meat of the olive (top to bottom) without cutting the pit. In a pan, soak the olives in brine (1 part salt to 10 parts water). Make sure the olives are submerged (use something to weight them down) and cover. Cure the olives for 3 weeks, shaking the pan each day and changing the brine each week, then taste for bitterness (they could take up to 5-6 weeks depending on the olives). When they taste the way you want, place in jars with brine (1 part sea salt to 10 parts water), add 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and top with a layer of olive oil.

Growth Habits: The olive is an evergreen tree growing to 50 ft. in height with a spread of about 30 ft. The tree can be kept to about 20 ft. with regular pruning. The graceful, billowing appearance of the olive tree can be rather attractive. In an all-green garden its grayish foliage serves as an interesting accent. The attractive, gnarled branching pattern is also quite distinctive. Olives are long-lived with a life expectancy of 500 years. The trees are also tenacious, easily sprouting back even when chopped to the ground.

Pickling. Prepare a vinegar-water solution - equal parts vinegar and water. Add salt to the vinegar-water solution: ½ to 1-cup salt per gallon - do not omit salt as it prevents bacterial growth. Add garlic an spices if desired. Cover tightly and store at room temperature. Good for 4-5 months at room temperature or 10-12 months in the refrigerator.

History Of The Early Gardens

In the beginning there was a garden with natural water fountains. Creation's garden. And life was good. All plants were natives. Food was pure and abundant. Predators and prey were in balance (which is not to say they were equal).

Then people got involved and introduced concrete fountains and many other things. They brought with them their urge for order and control, and a robust curiosity fed by experimentation. Soon, the earth was plowed into furrows and crops planted in rows. The best specimens were selected for breeding.

Yet even after farmers began growing food for whole communities, and pharmacists took responsibility for mass-producing medicine, people continued to tend gardens. For sustenance, yes, but also to create beauty, retain a connection to nature, and enjoy the simple pleasure of digging in dirt. Cast stone fountains were a way to carry water to the gardens. For a clearer picture of what a cast stone fountain looks like visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=61.

For nearly... well...forever, gardeners and farmers grew plants using common sense, careful observation, and the resources nature provided. Today, we call that approach "organic." But that term became necessary only to distinguish those time-tested tactics from the shortsighted chemical practices foisted on the public in the name of progress within the last century. The garden was, and always will be, our connection to the earth. The garden may be the true water fountain of youth.

7,000 B.C. Barley, millet, and lentils are cultivated in Thessaly, one of the Greek isles.

5,000 B.C. The staples of Native American cuisine, corn (maize) and common beans, are cultivated in the Western Hemisphere.

4,0000 B.C. Hello, variety: The people of the Indus Valley (what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan) are raising wheat, barley, peas, sesame seeds, mangoes, and dates on irrigated fields, as well as bananas, citrus, and grapes for wine in smaller plots.

3,000 B.C. Potatoes are cultivated and harvested in the Andes Mountains.

2,700 B.C. The Egyptians already know and grow 500 medicinal plants.

2,700 B.C. Olive trees are raised in Crete.

2,000 B. C. Watermelon is cultivated in Africa; figs are cultivated in Arabia; tea and bananas, in India; and apples, in the Indus Valley.

1,900 B.C. The Egyptian pharaoh Ramses III commissions more than 500 public gardens.

600 B.C. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, are built by King Nebuchadnezzar II (with help, no doubt, from a few thousand slaves). The gardens are laid out on a brick terrace about 400 feet square and 75 feet above the ground. Irrigation screws are designed to lift water from the Euphrates River to the gardens.

301 B.C. In the History of Plants and Theoretical Botany, Theophrastus (considered the Father of Botany) describes plant diseases, such as rusts and mildews, and explains how to hand-pollinate fig trees to maximize productivity.

149 B.C. Cato the Elder, in De Agriculture, urges farmers to plant grapes and olives (because they draw moisture and nutrients from the subsoil) instead of planting drought-susceptible grain.

900 A.D. Tofu becomes a dietary staple in China.

1305 Opus Ruralium Commodorum, by Bolognese agriculturist Petrus de Crescentiis, is the first book on agriculture to appear in Europe since the second century.

1354 The Alhambra, built by the Moors in Spain, is completed. The Islamic-style garden features enclosed courts surrounded by arcades, planted with trees and shrubs and enhanced with tile, fountains, and pools.

1510 Sunflowers from the Americas are introduced to Europe by the Spanish. In many countries they become a major oilseed crop. In others, they are bird food.

1528 Sweet potatoes, and haricot, cocoa, and vanilla beans, are introduced to Spain by Hernando Cortes, who presents some of the beans to Pope Clement VII. Until then, fava beans have been the only beans known to Europeans.

1540 A potato from South America reaches Pope Paul III via Spain. The pope gives the tuber to a Frenchman, who introduces it into France as an ornamental plant. Stay tuned for French fries.

Gardening continued to evolve with the addition of water wall fountains, new vegetables, fruits, flowers and bulbs from various parts of the world. For a distinctive water wall fountain idea visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=66. Machinery and chemicals also evolved as the demand to feed the world increased. Today, we face the overuse of synthetic nitrogen by farmers that causes soil to age the equivalent of 5,000 years. The good news is that composting can replenish depleted soils in just one season.

Mediterranean Landscape Design and Garden Designers in Houston Texas

Every garden has a bit of fantasy in it and, for Houstonians longing for the look and feel of, say, Tuscany or the Italian Renaissance period, no garden fills that desire like a Mediterranean landscape design.

Combining elegant elements of nature with the relaxed Mediterranean culture, the Mediterranean landscape design can go from simple, yet cultivated to elaborate lavishness. Crystal clear water and outdoor water fountains, sweet herbs right off the vine to be used in outdoor kitchens, relaxed spaces for entertainment, and lush, practical vegetation characterized the Mediterranean landscape design.

Just as a rose by any other name smells sweet, so too the Mediterranean landscape design. It is known variously as Andalusian, Santa Barbara Revival, Tuscan and Moroccan styles. Primarily taking its name from the climate of the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, it falls midway between the broad formal and informal garden design categories. The influences of classic landscape design can clearly be seen in this style due to the proximity and prominence of ancient Rome.

Mediterranean Landscape Design-Through History

The Mediterranean landscapes originated in ancient Arabia and evolved, as all garden styles have, throughout the centuries. Major influences were the gardens of Greece, Rome and Italy.

Since it is so closely associated with the warm, sometimes arid, climate of the Mediterranean region, this style has little in common with English garden design, largely due to plant material choices. Because of its evocation of another time and place, the Mediterranean landscape design stands apart from modern landscape designs with its emphasis on contemporary choices and imagery.

Features of Mediterranean Landscape Designs

You can pick and choose among several different striking features suitable for residential gardens done in the Mediterranean style. The byword to remember is "Old World ambiance."

• Stone, weathered bricks, terra cotta tiles, flagstone, tumbled travertine
• Wooden beams
• Wrought iron
• Classical statuary and Roman columns
• Outdoor furniture that evokes Arabian, Moroccan or Italian sensibilities

The architecture of the house needs to be carefully considered when using a Mediterranean landscape design. Actually the house dictates this choice, as some architectural styles-Colonial and Federal-style come to mind-would jar the senses if paired with a Mediterranean garden. The intelligent placement of a hardscape feature, perhaps a wrought iron garden gate in the curvaceous style of Barcelona, can be used to solidify the connection to your home.

When this style is appropriate, the home and landscape can also be tied together through selective use of plantings. Your choice of plants, in fact, further defines your Mediterranean design:

• Trees and shrubs. Given the hot climate from which this style arose, shade is extremely important-making it perfect for the Houston area. Live oaks, with their twists and turns, look lovely in this garden. Also, Italian cypress, olive trees and fruit trees such as orange and lemon trees.

• Vines. Use creeping vines like wisteria and grapevines.

• Herb gardens. Basil, rosemary, sage and thyme enhance the Italian influence and create enticing smells. Herbs are especially attractive in terra cotta planters.

• Vegetable gardens. Since authentic Mediterranean gardens are practical, heralding back to their roots in farming cultures, a vegetable garden fits right into the landscape. A vegetable garden not only provides sustenance, but also color.

The Spaces of the Mediterranean Landscape Design

The residential garden with a Mediterranean flair is beautiful and relaxed, capturing the easy living of the outdoors. In choosing the spaces and hardscapes to further augment that tone, consider these options:

• Outdoor kitchens. A focal point of outdoor entertainment, a summer kitchen provides a natural gathering place. Its design should tie the house and the landscape together and must, above all, be functional.

• Outdoor water fountains. Water is a critical part of the Mediterranean landscape design, so consider fountains done in an Italianate, Romanesque or rustic style. Be mindful of scale-you want the fountain to be in proportion to the rest of the landscape. Also consider the sightlines of the shooting water from your favorite viewing spot.

• Luxury swimming pools. Within the Mediterranean landscape design, classic shapes, like rectangles and circles, work well. Which, given the versatility of basic forms, means the pools can be simple and austere-or eye-catching and mesmerizing. Often, you can combine them with an outdoor water fountain that eliminates some redundancies while adding vitality to your overall design.

• Walkways. Gravel, stone, bricks and flagstone work well for paths in the Mediterranean landscape design. Neutral colors are preferred.

Final Thoughts on the Mediterranean Landscape Design

Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds says, "Our clients travel to Europe and come home wanting to emulate a scene that they fell in love with in Italy, Tuscany, Spain or Greece. As the name implies, Mediterranean gardens are usually formal, dry-climate gardens. They have the same attributes-linearity, use of axis and central focal points-of formal landscape design. I think their most distinguishing feature is in their use of materials: limestone or gravels for paths, junipers, Italian cypress, dwarf yaupons and other blue-green or grey dry plants. Think of the dry, rocky hills of Austin with olive groves."

He goes on to say, "What surprises people most with this type of design is the amount of math and order that it takes to create chaos in a garden."

Mediterranean Gardens - The Latest In Garden Escapes For Your Backyard

If you want to escape the everyday hassles of life but can't afford to go on a Mediterranean vacation, you could fix up your backyard with a Mediterranean garden to help you relax the night or weekend away!

Mediterranean gardens are very popular right now in some of the warmer parts of the United States and they are easy to have built by a professional garden company or to build yourself. It depends on your budgetary restrictions and what your taste is and how much time and effort you are willing to put into making your backyard a Mediterranean paradise.

The Mediterranean influences come from Italy, France, Spain and several other coastal places where the climate is dry and hot enough for various plant life. California is another Mediterranean area in which people have large Mediterranean gardens packed with olives, lavender, citrus and many other plants and flowers found through out the Mediterranean regions.

And the Mediterranean gardens are not only about the plants, although they play a major part in the design, it's also about the structure of the space. If you have an archway made of brick leading into the garden, this would be a wonderful place to have growing vines and flowers that are native to the Mediterranean area. There are fountains and pathways, walkways, statues and trees all covered with Mediterranean vegetation and rich, thick plant life and flowers. The smell of citrus and olives in addition to the wonderful fragrant flowers make the garden inviting to everyone, perfect for entertaining or just relaxing after a long, hard day.

If you have a pool or a pond or even a fountain, you can build up against it because the Mediterranean flowers and vegetation grows wild near the water for its dry climate needs water to survive. Building up a wall around the pool or pond then planting beautiful flowers that hang down over the mismatched brick wall will bring out the Mediterranean feel for the area in your garden. Building an archway will remind people of the olden places of Italy or Spain in which there are arched walkways every few feet.

If you can not hire a professional garden company to make your Mediterranean garden, then you can look through books at the library or countless sites on the Internet that will give you clean, step by step instructions on how to build a Mediterranean garden by yourself. And you will get exactly what you want in your garden. You will need some patience and a lot of hard work, but it can be done.

If you do hire a garden specialist, make sure you check out their references to be sure their former customers are happy ones. Then ask to see a 'floor plan' before they begin their work. You want to know what it will look like before they begin digging and building. Make sure they understand the difference between a Mediterranean garden and a regular flower garden or vegetable garden because you want what you pay for and you want to get what you want.

Buying an Olive Tree Plant

One of the most interesting grass you'll ever find will be the emerald hierarchy. These types of plants will grow in abundance in the Mediterranean corner, some humid parts of Asia, and certain regions of Africa. Olive leaves will do best in subtropical climates that see plain the drier summers and probably mild winters.

Although many people might think of a lime hierarchy just being a lime ranking, they actually come in many varieties. Some will actually be a sterile categories while others will be fruit attitudes. Certain types of all foliage offer a sizable array of pied looks. Some may have a lament kindling and others more rigid. Some will have narrow and long leaves while others will not. You'll also see a variety that had been dwarfed very like to bonsai category inside plants. However, some leaves will actually grow 50 feet in height and about 30 feet ample.

Olive foliage had been well known for having the post to live many time. As talked about in the Bible, lime grass have a to important place in memoirs. It has been known that these leaves have often lived up to 500 living and more.

Many different gardeners will like this sort of hierarchy because it being an evergreen form with fruit. One of the nicer functions of this ranking will be its fruit that helps engender oil and pickles. The fruit it produces will also come in various varieties as you have seen in stores. Size and character of this fruit may also modify a circus total depending on the lime hierarchy capture. Those olives it produces will regularly be a core ingredient in Italian food restaurants.

One of the other profit of jade leaves will be its cream colored flora with a dulcet perfume that it produces. This hierarchy actually has each its main flower that has the gentleman and female parts and a flower that has only stamens.

Also, as talked about in the Bible, the lime hierarchy wishes to be pruned frequently. Regular pruning requests to be continuously performed in order for the ranking to uphold its model and mass. As with other fruit influence foliage, pruning actually does help it to flourish better and produce more fruit. However, assiduous pruning needs to be performed to elude bacterial disease like jade huddle.

As with other fruit demeanor trees, certain rats can origin havoc on for the olive hierarchy. Pests like the medfly and the Dacus oleae will be the enemies of this hierarchy. Precautions will have to be full to forestall dent has done by these pests.

As with other fruit sway trees, saturated soil may help begin delve rot. Appropriate irrigation methods will be vital to produce thriving olive trees. Also, the shape of the Olive tree will be encouraged greatly by a regular give of fertilizer like nitrogen.

All About Olives

The Olive tree dates back to early ancient times in both biblical and classical writings. In these early writings, the olive oil is referenced as a symbol of both goodness and purity, and the tree represents peace and happiness. In ancient times, the oil was also burnt in sacred lamps at temples during the Olympic Games, and the victor was crowned with its leaves.

Olives have been cultivated since prehistoric times in Asia Minor. Today olives are commercially produced in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, China, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Angola, South Africa, Uruguay, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, and California. The Mediterranean area produces 93% of the olive production. Currently there are some 800 million olive trees being cultivated. California is the only state where olives are grown commercially. Over 90% of the olive production is used to make olive oil.

The Olive tree is considered an evergreen tree. These trees can live to be over 2,000 years old. They grow 20-40 feet high and begin to bear fruit between 4 and 8 years old. The tree blooms with small whitish flowers and have a wonderful fragrant.

A Franciscan missionary planted the first olive tree in California in 1769 at a Franciscan mission in San Diego. The olives grown in California are called ¡°mission olives¡±. Of all the species of olives, this olive is especially good for its oil.

Olives are not edible, green, or ripe, and must be treated with lye and/or cured in brine or dry salt before being edible. They contain about 20% oil. Olives must be processed to remove the bitter glycoside oleuropein, before they are edible, so they are usually first treated with lye and then pickled.

Greek olives are not treated with lye. They are strong tasting because they are just packed in dry salt, or pickled in brine for 6 to 12 months (where they undergo a process of lactic fermentation), and finally packed in fresh brine.

Spanish green olives are picked before they are ripe, treated with lye, and then placed in a brine and allowed to ferment.

California olives are treated to set the pigment, treated with lye and then packed immediately in brine and sterilized. They do not undergo the fermentation process, and the sterilization 'cooks' them. This lack of fermentation and the 'cooking' when they are sterilized produces a bland, uninteresting olive

Ten medium size black olives have 50 calories and 4 grams of fat.

Getting An Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I'm talking, of course, about extra-virgin olive oil!

Not many people would disagree with the assertion that olive oil is the very basis and hallmark of southern French cuisine. It's used everywhere: in aioli and pistou, in tapénade and anchoiade, in ratatouille and pan bagnat ....

It's used to flavor ragouts and daubes, to marinade meat and fish before cooking, to dress vegetables and salads, to add a distinctive Provencal je ne sais quoi to breads such as fougasse, and even to certain cakes and pastries ....

The cuisine of Provence would be inconceivable without olive oil!

Introduced into Provence by Greek traders nearly 3,000 years ago, the olive tree has come to symbolise many things: light, wisdom, chastity, immortality. The olive branch is a universal emblem of peace and harmony. And don't forget that it was an olive branch that the dove brought back to Noah as a sign that the long ordeal of the Flood was finally over.

Growing and cultivating olive trees has never been an easy task. They demand years - even generations - of care, attention and nurture, taking over 35 years to reach maximum growth and to finally yield a plentiful harvest.

The harvest usually begins in September, and can continue through to February, depending on the type and color of the olives being gathered. Age-old traditional methods are still used extensively to harvest the fruit. Some olive-growers pick the olives by hand in order to ensure that the delicate fruit is not bruised. Others use a special hazel pole to knock the olives on to sheets spread out under the trees.

Even after the fruit has been harvested, the process is still an intensely laborsome one. The olives have to be sorted, washed, rinsed and then ground into a thick paste between huge granite wheels.

The resulting olive pulp is hydraulically pressed between sheets of hemp or sisal, and then separated by centrifugal force into oil and juice.

This is the point in the process which determines the type and quality of the oil being extracted. The finest olive oil - the huile d'olive vierge, produit naturel, 1ere pression a froid ( virgin olive oil, natural product, first cold press) is the result of this first, natural, chemical-and -additive-free process. This is the olive oil with the finest flavor and the highest pedigree: the connoisseur's choice.

It's the natural acidity of the final product that determines its "virgin" status. Oil with an acidity of less than 0.8 per cent can proudly boast the "extra virgin" label. Oils with an acidity of between 0.8 per cent and 2 per cent are just everyday virgins!

In Provence the best olive oils are reputed to come from Nyons, which is situated at the base of Mont Ventoux , but, speaking personally, I have always preferred the olive oil from la vallée des Baux in the Bouches-du-Rhone. It has a particularly unique flavor that has been variously described as 'green fruit', 'artichoke', 'cut hay' - even 'wet grass'!

I accept that my preference may be an emotional, rather than a rational, one. I have spent a lot of time in that area of Provence, and have used vallée des Baux olive oils for cooking and flavoring for many years.

Having said that, the area was awarded appellation controlée status for its olives and olive oil in 1997 - so my loyalty has been well-vindicated.

The local olive oil is used extensively (and to great effect) in local restaurants, such as the world-famous Oustau de Baumaniere, its younger sibling Le Cabro d'Or (both situated in the incredibly beautiful village of Les Baux-de-Provence itself) and the elegant Le Rigalido in the nearby village of Fontvieille.

If you happen to find yourself in this lovely region, several of the local olive merchants happily open their olive mills (and their shops) to visitors. Try the famous Castelas olive mill in Les Baux or the Moulin de Saint-Jean and Chateau d'Estoublon sites, both on the Maussane/ Fonvieille road.

Olive Trees: a Great Addition to your Garden

One of the most interesting trees you'll ever find will be the olive tree. These types of trees will grow in abundance in the Mediterranean area, some tropical parts of Asia, and certain regions of Africa. Olive trees will do best in subtropical climates that see blank the drier summers and possibly mild winters.

Although many people might think of an olive tree just being an olive tree, they actually come in various varieties. Some will actually be a sterile type while others will be fruit bearing. Certain types of all of trees provide a vast array of varied looks. Some may have a weeping branches and others more rigid. Some will have narrow and long leaves while others will not. You'll also see a variety that have been dwarfed very similar to bonsai type indoor plants. However, some trees will actually grow 50 feet in height and about 30 feet wide.

Olive trees have been well known for having the capacity to live many years. As talked about in the Bible, olive trees have a to important place in history. It has been known that these trees have often lived up to 500 years and more.

Many different gardeners will like this type of tree because of it being an evergreen type with fruit. One of the nicer functions of this tree will be its fruit that helps produce oil and pickles. The fruit it produces will also come in various varieties as you have seen in stores. Size and shape of this fruit may also vary a fair amount depending on the olive tree type. Those olives it produces will usually be a main ingredient in Italian food restaurants.

One of the other benefits of olive trees will be its cream colored flowers with a sweet fragrance that it produces. This tree actually has each its main flower that has both male and female parts and also a flower that has only stamens.

Also, as talked about in the Bible, the olive tree needs to be pruned frequently. Regular pruning needs to be continually performed in order for the tree to maintain its shape and size. As with other fruit bearing trees, pruning really does help it to thrive better and produce more fruit. However, careful pruning needs to be performed in order to avoid bacterial disease like olive knot.

As with other fruit bearing trees, certain pests can cause havoc on for the olive tree. Pests like the medfly and the Dacus oleae will be the enemies of this tree. Precautions will have to be taken in order to avoid damage done by these pests.

As with other fruit bearing trees, saturated soil may help cause root rot. Appropriate irrigation methods will be required in order to produce thriving olive trees. Also, the health of the Olive tree will be encouraged greatly by a regular supply of fertilizer like nitrogen.

As long as your region supports it, you may find out that an olive tree will be perfect for your own garden or landscaping. You too have the chance of planting a tree like this that may live around 500 years or more.

History Of Olive Trees

Olive trees, 'Olea europaea,' are the oldest fruit trees and certainly are one of the most important fruit trees in history. Olive tree culture has been closely connected to the rise and fall of Mediterranean empires and other advanced civilizations throughout the ages. Because olive trees offered wealth and future food supplies to established civilizations, the agricultural nations became stable societies, resulting from a secure expectation from past experience of an uninterrupted food and olive oil supply. This factor was a necessary requirement for population growth and increase. Dependable fruit production and olive oil production means that olive trees must exist in a stable society and a peaceful environment. That stability must extend for many years, since most ancient seedling olive trees required eight or more years before ever producing the first crop of fruit. Productive orchards of olive trees meant that a foundation of the great empires of Greece and Rome had arisen and developed into complex economic and political forces. It is interesting to note that the historical decline of these empires corresponded to the destruction of their olive tree orchards that reduced the available supplies of olives, olive oil, olive wood, and olive soap. In connection with the destruction of olive orchards, it is interesting to note that in the Israeli wars with Palestine, 50,000 olive trees were destroyed by Israeli bulldozers. That act of agricultural destruction resulted in considerable anger and unrest along the Gaza strip and the West Bank, because the economic livelihood of many Palestinian farmers depended on their products from the uprooted olive trees. Additionally, the olive tree was historically a 'peace and goodwill' symbol, and when the olive trees were leveled near the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and the "Cradle of Biblical History," that elimination of olive trees seemed like a deliberate provocation to end the 'peace' with the Palestinian settlers and farmers.

The Greeks recognized that in their vast empire they must avoid hostilities and war during the period that the Olympic Games were being conducted, and they declared a worldwide armistice so that their complete attention could be directed toward their athletic events and games.

Medical properties of olive oil were reported by many ancient Greek writers and philosophers, their importance in creating nutritional benefits and wealth for Greek citizens continues abundantly today--some Greek olive tree orchards containing a million or more trees. Aristotle wrote extensively about the accepted methods of successfully growing olive trees.

Greek mythology records that Athena, the Goddess of wisdom and peace, struck her magic spear into the Earth, and it turned into an olive tree, thus, the location where the olive tree appeared and grew was named Athens, Greece, in honor of the Goddess, Athena. Local legend tells us that the original olive tree still stands growing after many centuries at the ancient sacred site. Citizens still claim that all Greek olive trees originated from rooted cuttings that were grown from that original olive tree. Homer claimed in his writings that the ancient olive tree growing in Athens was already 10,000 years old. Homer stated that Greek courts sentenced people to death if they destroyed an olive tree. In 775 BC Olympia, Greece, at the site of the ancient Olympic stadium, athletes competed and trained, and winners were triumphantly acclaimed and crowned with a wreath made of olive twigs. Ancient gold coins that were minted in Athens depicted the face of the Goddess, Athena, wearing an olive leaf wreath on her helmet holding a clay vessel of olive oil. The Greeks began olive cultivation in 700 BC. The sacred lamp that was used in ancient Greek culture for lighting dark rooms at night was fueled by olive oil. Aged olive oil was also used in sacred anointing rituals of the church at weddings and at baptisms. Herodotus wrote in 500 BC, that the growing and exporting of olives and olive oil were so sacred that only virgins and eunuchs were allowed to cultivate orchards of olive trees. The first documented plantings of olive trees may have occurred during the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete and are believed to have been growing around 3500 BC. That civilization predates the discovered Mycenae olive fossils from 1600 BC and later in the Greek empire. Sturt Manning, an archeologist from Cornell University, reported in Live Science Magazine (Apr 28, 2005) that the most devastating volcano in 10,000 years occurred on the Greek Island of Thera, after which the city of Akrotiri was totally buried by the falling ash. The finding of olive wood and olive seed fossils buried near the site has shown through carbon dating that the volcanic eruption occurred between 1660 and 1600 BC and may have contributed to the total destruction of the advanced Minoan civilization (Atlantis) on the isle of Crete and may have led to the formation of the Sahara desert in North Africa after vaporizing the native forests there.

In the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible (Gen 8:11), Noah was given an olive branch by a dove after the great flood as a symbol of peace and love of God, which it remains today. In the book of Exodus, Moses explains that God expected olive oil to be used in various rituals that were performed by priests of Israel. Olive oil was used as an anointing oil to be poured over the heads of Kings and priests that acknowledged their authority as an agent of God. Many other references to olives are given in the Bible. Psalms 52:8 "But I am like the green olive tree in the house of God, I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever." Finally, Jesus was to spend his last day praying at the mount of olives garden of Gethsemane, in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. Jesus was arrested there, tried, convicted, crucified and later ascended to heaven, after his resurrection from the tomb.

Impressionist artists were stunned by the antique age and beauty of olive trees and their productiveness that resulted in masterpiece paintings by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Renoir, and Matisse. The world's great Biblical reporters, literary writers, and poets immortalized the olive tree, such people as Jesus, Milton, Shakespeare, and Lord Byron.

Thomas Jefferson wrote "The olive tree is the richest gift of heaven." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reported "Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who traveled abroad, brought plant material such as olive trees and rice back to the U.S. to develop United States agricultural production." Thomas Jefferson was the U.S. ambassador to France during the Revolutionary War, and he began to import olive trees and seeds into the southern U.S. The excessive humidity of South Carolina and Georgia did not allow profitable olive tree orchards to develop properly in those areas. Jefferson wrote "The greatest service which can be rendered to any country is to add a useful plant to its culture." He ranked his introduction of the olive tree and dry rice into South Carolina as two of his top lifetime achievements. Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Ronaldson on January 13, 1813, "it is now twenty-five years since I sent them (southern planters) two shipments of about 500 plants of the olive tree of Aix, the finest olive trees in the world."

The fragrant flowers of olive trees are small and creamy white, hidden within the thick leaves. Some cultivars will self pollinate, but others will not. The blossoms usually begin appearing in April and can continue for many months. A wild, seedling olive tree normally begins to flower and produce fruit at the age of 8 years. The fruit of the olive tree is a purplish-black when completely ripe, but a few cultivars are green when ripe and some olives turn a color of copper-brown. The size of the olive fruit is variable, even on the same tree, and the shape ranges from round to oval with pointed ends. Some olives can be eaten fresh after sun-drying and the taste is sweet, but most olive cultivars are bitter and must be treated by various chemical solutions before developing into edible olives. If the olives are thinned on the limbs of the trees to 2 or 3 per twig, the ultimate size of the olives will be much larger. The fruit is gathered in mid October and should be processed as soon as possible to prevent fermentation and a decline in quality.

The leaves of olive trees are gray-green and are replaced at 2-3 year intervals during the spring after new growth appears. Pruning yearly and severely is very important to insure continued production. The trees have the unproductive limbs removed, "so that it will be more fruitful" John 15:2. An olive tree can grow to 50 feet with a limb spread of 30 feet, but most growers will keep the tree pruned to 20 feet to assure maximum production. New sprouts and trees will emerge from the olive tree stump roots, even if the trees are cut down. Some olive trees are believed to be over a thousand years old, and most will live to the ripe old age of 500 years.

Olives generally are beaten off trees with poles, harvested mechanically or by shaking the fruit from the trees onto canvas. Most ripening olives are removed from the trees after the majority of the fruit begins to change in color. It is important to squeeze out the olive oil within a day after harvesting or else fermentation or decline in flavor and quality will occur. The olive oil can be consumed or used in cooking immediately after its collection from the press. Olive oils are unique and distinct, each brand of olive oil having its own character, as determined by many factors, like those unique flavor differences found in fine wines. Prepared commercial olive oils can vary greatly in aroma, fruit flavor; whether the taste is, flowery, nutty, delicate, or mild, and the coloring of olive oil is quite variable.

Olive oil produces many health benefits when used in cooking or when poured over salads. The use of olive oil can improve digestion and can benefit heart metabolism through its low content of cholesterol. Experts claim that olive oil consumption will cause a person to grow shiny hair, prevent dandruff, prevent wrinkles, prevent dry skin and acne, strengthen nails, stop muscle aching, lower blood pressure and cancel out the effects of alcohol.

Olive trees can survive droughts and strong winds, and they grow well on well drained soils up to a pH of 8.5 and the trees can tolerate salt water conditions. In Europe, olive trees are normally fertilized every other year with an organic fertilizer. Alternate bearing can be avoided by heavy pruning and generally the trees respond to this very quickly and favorably.

Olive trees should be purchased that have been vegetatively propagated or grafted, because the seed grown trees will revert to a wild type that yields small olives with an insipid taste. Olive trees are more resistant to diseases and insects than any other fruit tree and, therefore, are sprayed less than any other crop.

The Romans conquered Greece in 146 BC, and the victors took olive secrets to Rome, but since then Greece has remained the greatest exporter of olive oil during the centuries. The olive tree seems to be perfectly adapted for growing in the mild climate of the Mediterranean countries. The trees grow well in dry areas with mild winters and long hot summers, even enduring drought conditions or high winds. The European area of the Mediterranean produces 98% of the world olive oil supply. Olive seed are believed to have been brought to California in 1769 to grow into trees hardy to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Those olive trees were cultivated in the Franciscan Spanish monasteries.

Even though commercial production of olives in the United States is only 2% of the world market, great interest in growing olives throughout the South has been stimulated by the recent introduction of promising cold hardy olive trees from European hybridizers. Many European immigrants to the United States grow their own olive trees in large pots, that can be moved in and out of the house during seasonal changes.

What is Hydroponic Gardening?

Hydroponic gardening is a mean of growing plants without using soil. Hydroponic plants are grown in water-based solutions. These water solutions contain most of the needed mineral and salts for plants to grow healthily.

Generally, you can grow hydroponic plants directly in the mineral solution alone.
Alternatively plants can also be planted in an inert growing medium such as coconut fibers, rockwool, growing rock, etc.

Hydroponic growing has become not only a popular pastime hobby; it has turned into a lucrative business. When the skills and techniques of hydroponic gardening are mastered properly, you can literally grow any plants as you wish with hydroponic method.

With the use of hydroponic system, you can easily set up a hydroponic garden or greenhouse inside your house or on the rooftop. When hydroponic gardening technique is employed on a large scale, it can become a very productive way to produce crops for commercial.

Unlike growing plants with conventional soil gardening, the roots system of hydroponic plants does not have to search for nutrients and mineral in soil. All the much-needed nutrients and mineral are provided in the nutrients solution, readily to be supplied to the root system. Therefore, the plants can focus on the top growth to produce more flowers and fruits rather than exerting energy to search for nutrients.

In hydroponic gardening, oxygen and carbon dioxide are also supplied to the nutrient solution to boost the uptake of nutrients by the root systems. This helps to promote faster growth rate and healthy growth of the plants.

Besides that, you will also have less problem with plant diseases and pest problem when growing plants with hydroponic methods. As most of the plant diseases and pest issues are associated with the use of soil.

Hydroponic gardening as an exciting hobby

Everybody has hobbies that they enjoy during their leisure time. Some may have more than one hobby. Well here is one for those arborists and gardeners among us. Try indoor hydroponic gardening as an exciting hobby. If you love gardens and making things grow, then you will love indoor hydroponic gardening.

Hydroponic gardening is just the same as regular gardening, except that there is no mess whatsoever. There is no soil involved in indoor hydroponic gardening. Have you ever seen the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon? This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is probably the earliest evidence that we have of indoor hydroponic gardening in the history of mankind. Now, very few people have the means to grow something as lavish as this worldly wonder, but we can grow our own mini hanging gardens in a hydroponic greenhouse.  This is exactly the same thing as a normal greenhouse, but it is hydroponic because all of the plants are grown using light, air, and water.

That is right. No soil is required. That is exactly what indoor hydroponic gardening is all about. Growing your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables in a hydroponic greenhouse, is becoming the latest fad among gardeners.  All you need to do if you are interested is to go down to your local lawn and garden store and check out all of the fantastic hydroponic kits. Or you can make your own. However, my advice for a beginner starting this hobby is to procure one of the hydroponic kits. Most people use one of two basic hydroponic kits: the ebb and flow hydroponic kit or the deep culture hydroponic kit. These are simple basic hydroponic kits that include everything you need to start your very own hydroponic greenhouse. You will definitely need to buy extra lights and more nutrient solution if you decide to expand your hydroponic greenhouse. However, in the long run, it is a good investment.

Scientific studies prove that produce grown in a hydroponic greenhouse is actually brighter, juicier, and more nutritious than the store bought produce. An added bonus is that there are virtually no pesticide problems that usually faced by outdoor gardeners. There are very few pests in a hydroponic greenhouse. This in turn means that there is no need for harmful and dangerous pesticides and insecticides. Another great advantage is that by using hydroponic kits, you can grow your favorite fruits and vegetables all year round. Wow! How great is that! I mean, you can grow your own food, protect your family and yourself from harmful chemicals, and enjoy your favorite foods at any time during the year.

Indoor hydroponic gardening is a great hobby. Not only is there virtually no mess, no chemicals, and as far as the eye can see multiple benefits. You get to grow a garden, which is something that you love, and lose all the downsides and headaches that normally come with gardening.  So if you want to try something new, go all out. Grab some of your friends, go down to the store and buy some hydroponic kits and set up your very own hydroponic greenhouse. Then sit back and enjoy your favorite foods anytime you like.

Is hydroponic gardening better for growing vegetables?

So you want to know if hydroponic gardening is better for growing vegetables than conventional methods of gardening? Well, I suppose it is a matter of opinion. Some people have very busy lives and do not have the time to grow a garden, whether it is by conventional means or hydroponic gardening. Others do not have the space for a garden of any sort. For these people, purchasing store bought fresh vegetables is the way to go. However, the store bought vegetables and fruits are not fresh.

To people like me, fresh means straight from the garden. That is why I like hydroponic gardening. I can grow all of my fruits and vegetables at home, even in my home, and be able to get them fresh whenever I want them. I can also have access to them at any time throughout the year. In the store, the produce is not grown with hydroponic gardening and certain items are only available at certain times of the year. If I can simulate the perfect growing conditions using hydroponic gardening, I can get my favorite fruits and veggies at any time during the year. I do not have to wait for them to be "in season."

Hydroponic vegetables, veggies that are grown by using the hydroponic gardening technique, are generally better for a person's health. These hydroponic vegetables tend to be larger, juicier, and brighter in color than those found in the store. Store bought vegetables have a waxy film over them to keep them fresher for longer periods of time. Homegrown hydroponic vegetables have no film because there is no need for it. The waxy film is an additive put on by people to help with the transport and shelf life of the vegetables. Hydroponic vegetables are either eaten by you right away or still on the plant until you are ready to use them. So either way you look at it, hydroponic vegetables are better.

Vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which promote better health. Using hydroponic gardening to grow your vegetables increases the antioxidial properties of your vegetables. This is because foods grown by using hydroponic gardening are generally healthier than those grown by conventional methods of gardening. There is virtually little to no pests, so there is no need to poison the vegetables by spraying harmful and dangerous pesticides and insecticides. In a conventional garden, you have to worry about so many different bugs and pests that attack your plants. Most people resort to using pesticides from the store. Recent studies show that these pesticides, when ingested by humans, can be detrimental to a person's health and well-being.

So is hydroponic gardening better for growing vegetables? Like I said, it is a matter of opinion. I do know that this woman here will only accept home grown vegetables from hydroponic gardening. Only the best for me and mine. I fully believe that hydroponic gardening is the best for growing vegetables that not only look pretty but also taste so much better than the ones you buy from the store.

Using Inexpensive Garden Statues to Spruce Up Your Yard

There are a lot of great ways to beautify a yard or garden. A vast collection of colorful flowers and plants often will do the trick. Sometimes lawn decorations such as light posts or rocks are also nice. Others will take the little more extensive route and incorporated a creek or brick path in their garden. Needless to say, all of these methods take a lot of work and not everyone has the time to do these methods.

Some people need to know some quick methods of sprucing up their yard. Their yard may look unsatisfying to the neighborhood, or look just plain simple and not overly eye catching. The owners simply do not have the time and these are the kind of yards that need a quick fix to look attractive until time is available to get some of the heavier work mentioned earlier done.

One easy tip is to water your yard. It is unfortunate how few people take the time to actually for their grass. What color do you think looks better, green grass or burnt yellow? For those with smaller homes and lawns this should not be a problem, however, I could see where those owning larger lots will have difficulty. It is probably a good guess that those owning larger homes probably have kids. Well do your kids do chores? Chores are a great way to learn responsibility and children need to learn that money is earned not just given away. Let them take over watering duties. And if you don't have kids, well hiring someone to care for your lawn is probably your best bet, particularly if time is an issue.

One easy fix is the use of garden decorations. If you want the best bang for your buck, go get some inexpensive garden statues and use them to decorate the yard. They're not difficult to find. In fact, most thrift stores will carry statues. Specialty stores will also have these along with other gardening decor and tools; check these kinds of stores out if you are really serious about your lawn.

What is great about statues is they are usually themed. In other words, you can generally make a scene and place a theme on your yard. You could purchase a lot of inexpensive rabbit, bear and other woodland creature statues and have forest cotton theme. Also, buying lawn gnomes that appear to be working is a great way to accent an area of your lawn.

Long story short, inexpensive lawn statues are a great way to decorate a yard. They're quick to setup, easy to use and aren't very hard on the wallet. I highly recommend using statues as decor for your garden.

Lawn Decoration Tips: Inexpensive Garden Statues

For most people, their garden is an extension of themselves. A bright cheerful person is likely to have a lot of vibrant color coming from their flowers. Someone who appreciates more tranquil settings may setup a stream with a small water wheel and just sit on their porch and relax. Those people who simply don't care about their property will have dead, burnt grass.

So with a garden being a representation of oneself, it's important to decorate it appropriately; we wouldn't want the neighbors to think you're a crazy person. For some decorating a yard is a piece of cake. They go out to a home and garden store, buy some plants, inexpensive garden statues, maybe something flashy like a gazing ball and then go about setting up their lawn.

There's nothing really wrong with this method other than it's typically no a well planned or thought out design. I've seen many fall victim to having seemingly random decor in their yard. The decor is nice enough looking, it's just thrown about it a chaotic kind of way. Most people would benefit by using creating a theme.

One spectacular garden I've seen was setup as if it were a farm. It had a welcome sign near the front of it greeting any on lookers. The typical scarecrow was placed in the middle of the garden furthering the farm appeal. What made this garden sing, however, was its use of inexpensive garden statues. There was a small population of farmer pigs appearing to do the work in the garden. Decked out with shovels and watering pitchers, these pigs really made the yard shine. There was a three pigs theme going as well with straw, wood, and brick houses in the background, which was a nice touch.

If one knows how to cut wood and paint they could always go with the cute wood cutout approach. These are kind of like garden statues only they're two dimensional cutouts. There is no limit to the creativity of creating one's own decorations. Cartoon characters such as Betty Boop, animal inhabitants, or even just caricatures of friends gardening are just some of the possibilities that some could use for cutouts. In addition to creativity, this method will even save a bundle of money as all the decor is created at home and not bought in a store.

There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to decorate one's yard. Just make sure to work hard and it will be a reflection of oneself. But don't go to crazy with inexpensive garden statues, you wouldn't want to be the "crazy statue neighbor" would you?

Great Garden and Patio Accessories and Ideas

Some people don't love their garden and it is usually obvious upon looking at their yard. Usually, these kind of people don't have the responsibly or the will power to lift a finger to help their yard. You on the other hand probably have every reason in the world to aid your garden. You're reading this aren't you after all? There are a ton of options for decking out the garden particularly many wholesale lawn and garden decor ideas.

Statues:
First, statues are a great way of decorating a yard. Sceneries can be established and many different scenes are capable of being made with statues. Working gnomes are obvious choices for most people probably because they're so popular. A small garden could be made to look like all these small gnomes are working to keep it alive. One could also create a wilderness look for their lawn. Fill it with a variety of woodland creatures such as rabbits and bears and couple it with some pine trees and you have your own personal forest.

Garden Fencing:
Fencing adds so many options to a garden. It could enhance the theme of a lawn or made to match the house. Maybe a fence is established simply for privacy reasons. Either way they can greatly benefit a yard.

Garden Clock:
These things are great aren't they? Large garden clocks will allow you to know the time every second you are out in the garden. They also can act as a centerpiece for any decorative themes you may have. They can come in various forms such as the sun, and can be set up on its own stand or a tree.

Wind Sock:
Everyone needs something to wave with the wind. Wind socks are great not only for finding the direction of the wind but also as decorative items. Be careful though, it's not uncommon to see at least one home over do it on the wind sock area. Having a front yard full of these things and other doohickeys that are affected by the wind can be a bit of overkill.

As you can see there are several ways to take your yard to the next level. Many items can be used to enhance your yard and you should take full use of them, though be careful not over do it. Your garden is lucky to have an owner like you, with a little help it will be turning heads in no time.

HOME COOKING: Top Recipes From Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel's & Ruby Tuesday's That You Can Cook At Home - Restaurant Recipes for Home

If you are like me, you love to dine out and enjoy dinner at a fine restaurant.

The aroma of food, dishes clanging in the background, a relaxed casual atmosphere. As you look into the kitchen you see the flames rising from the pans, chefs making the plates look like just right. Friend and family at our table talking about the days events. Remembering the great times had in the past. These moments are a treasure in our hearts.

That is, until the bill comes. You can't get out of a fine dinning restaurant for under $100 theses days. And that's just for two, don't even think of bringing the kids without cashing your paycheck first. The high cost of eating out limits these times to only special occasions.

Have you tried to reenact the same scenario at home only to find the recipes in those other cookbook don't even come close to the tantalizing taste in the restaurant. What if you could get a hold of those recipes?

I've been a pro cook for over 30 years. And I've gathered thousands of recipes...

As Ron Douglas, Author of one of my favorite cookbooks, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED RECIPES, says, "Of course, there's nothing wrong with spending money on top-class, mouth watering food which gets everyone salivating and craving for more... But what if you could cook these killer dishes on demand, from your very own kitchen whenever you felt like it -- make anyone, your friends or family, go all wild and gaga over your food at the next bash, party or gathering -- these dishes for a fee and start earning good money simply by following the surefire instructions in this recipe book..."

 

Here's a Chef's Secret: we've been using the Great Restaurant Recipes for years, both in restaurant kitchens -- and at home.

From Applebee's Tequila Lime Chicken to Starbuck's Espresso Truffles -- from KFC Chicken to Cheesecake Factory cheesecake -- from Apricot Chicken Drumsticks to Fish Fingers to Baked Ziti -- we use 'em all.  Maybe you are cooking this special meal for family.  Or friends.  Or that date you met on WUVING.com -- no matter who your guests are -- they'll love it.

Here are 5 of my favourite -- and most popular recipes:

 

--Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella--

1 pound block of mozzarella cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

2/3 cup flour

1/3 cup corn starch

 

Slice the block of cheese lengthwise into about 1/2 inch sections. Cut each section in half.

Beat the eggs with water and set aside. Mix the bread crumbs, garlic, oregano, and basil and set aside. Blend the flour with corn starch and set aside.

Heat vegetable oil for deep frying to 350F. Dip cheese in flour then in egg wash and then coat with bread crumbs. Place carefully in hot oil and fry until golden brown. This should only take a matter of seconds, so you need to watch them closely.

Drain on brown paper bags and serve with your favorite pasta sauce that has been warmed.

 

 --Red Lobster's Crab Stuffed Mushrooms--

 1 pound fresh mushrooms, approximately 35-40

1/4 cup celery, finely chopped

2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound crab claw meat

2 cups oyster crackers crushed

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/2 cup water

6 white cheddar cheese, slices

 

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2) Saute celery, onion, and pepper in butter for 2 minutes, transfer to a plate and cool in the refrigerator

3) While vegetables cool, wash mushrooms and remove stems

4) Set caps to the side and finely chop half of the stems. Discard the other half of the stems or use elsewhere

5) Combine the sauteed vegetables, chopped mushroom stems, and all other ingredients (except cheese slices) and mix well

6) Place mushroom caps in individual buttered casseroles or baking dishes (about 6 caps each)

7) Spoon 1 teaspoon of stuffing into each mushroom

8) Cover with sliced cheese

9) Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes until cheese is lightly browned.

 

--Ruby Tuesday's Chicken Quesadillas--

5 oz. chicken breast

Italian Dressing

12 inch flour tortilla

margarine

1 cup shredded monterey jack/cheddar cheese

1 Tablespoon tomatoes, diced

1 Tablespoon jalapeno peppers, diced

Cajun Seasoning (to taste)

1/2 cup shredded lettuce

1/4 cup diced tomatoes

Sour Cream

Salsa

 

Place chicken breast in a bowl with enough Italian dressing to coat; allow to marinate 30 minutes, refrigerated. Grill marinated chicken until done in a lightly oiled pan. Cut into 3/4" pieces and set aside.

Brush one side of tortilla with margarine and place in frying pan over medium heat. On one half of tortilla, add cheese,

1 Tbls. tomatoes, peppers, and Cajun seasoning in that order.

Make sure to spread to the edge of the half. Top with diced chicken, fold empty tortilla side on top, and flip over in pan so that cheese is on top of chicken. Cook until very warm throughout.

Remove from pan to serving plate and cut into six equal wedges on one side of plate. On the other side put lettuce, topped with 1/4 cup tomatoes, and then topped with sour cream.

Serve your favorite salsa in a small bowl on the side.

 

--Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown Casserole--

2 lbs. frozen hashbrowns

1/2 cup melted butter

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups grated cheddar

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 cups crushed cornflakes

1/4 cup melted butter

DEFROST hashbrowns.
COMBINE next 7 ingr. and mix with hashbrowns.
PUT all in a 3 qt. casserole.
SAUTE cornflakes in butter and sprinkle on top.
COVER and BAKE at 350 for about 40 min.

 

>> And for Dessert...

 

--Cracker Barrel's Cherry Chocolate Cobbler--

1-1/2 cups flour

1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cups butter

1 (6 oz.) pkg. Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1 egg

1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

1/2 cups nuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking
powder, salt and butter; cut with pastry blender until crumbs are
size of large peas. Melt over hot (not boiling) water, Nestle's
semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Remove from heat and cool slightly
at room temperature (about 5 minutes).

Add milk and egg to melted chocolate and mix well. Blend chocolate into flour mixture.

Spread cherry pie filling in bottom of 2 quart casserole. Drop chocolate
batter randomly over cherries. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Bake at 350 F for 40 - 45 minutes. Serve warm with heavy cream.

 

-Brian Alan Burhoe www.brianalanburhoe.com

 

Bon Appetit!

 

 

Olive Garden Restaurant Recipes - How to Copycat Your Favorite Olive Garden Recipes

If you want to copycat Olive Garden restaurant recipes, this article will get you started!

As my anniversary with my boyfriend approaches, I am always looking for something unique to do. We both have agreed traditional gifts are not the way to go. The good news is I have an idea that will both surprise him, and make him happy. You see, I don't cook. He does. It isn't so much that I don't cook; it really is I can't cook. I've tried. I just can't do it. But if it is a recipe, I can follow it. So what I have decided to do this year is to surprise him with his favorite restaurant food, made from scratch.

There is a chain restaurant that we go to frequently. The menu has lots of choices, but he always picks the same thing. It goes by a rather fancy name, and I don't want to give away the restaurant, but it is basically a pasta dish with chicken, bacon and mushrooms among other things. What he doesn't know is that I found out most of the ingredients by going to the restaurant's website and reading the description of the meal. He certainly doesn't know that my best friend and I went there for lunch the other day while he was at work, and I ordered it.

She and I picked it apart, and tried to figure out every single flavor. Remarkably, we seemed to do a pretty good job. Since we were there when it wasn't so busy, our server came over, and we were all talking. Pretty soon, she was telling us what she knew, and I started writing furiously. Then, she went out back, and asked the kitchen staff. They told her a few more things, and she reported back. Pretty soon, just by paying attention to what was already out there, I had the recipe. Well, at least the ingredients I needed.

So while he has been at work during the day, I've been experimenting. I've had to try it a few times, but I'm getting much closer. I know once I think I have it I will have to go back to the restaurant and taste it again just to make sure, but it will be worth it. Not only can I surprise him with this dinner, but it is something that I can make on a continuous basis. Somehow I don't think he will complain.

To get you started, here is the recipe for the Olive Garden Salad Mix:

1 bag American blend salad
4-5 slices of red onion
2-4 banana peppers
4-6 black olives
1/2 cup croutons
1 small tomato, quartered

Good luck copying your favorite Olive Garden restaurant recipes!

HOME COOKING: Olive Garden's Best Recipes You Can Do At Home - pasta frittata, lasagna, Capellini Pomodoro, fettucine alfredo and more

Olive Garden is a casual dining American restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American food.

 

The ambiance of Olive Garden restaurants seeks to replicate an old-world Italian style, utilizing foliage in their décor, stucco walls, and background music consisting of Italian themes.

And -- The food is great!

Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany, located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy in a restored 11th century village, is where Olive Garden's chefs learn the secrets of great foods in Italy - like how to combine fresh ingredients - to create authentic Italian foods that you'll enjoy sharing with your family and friends. You can cook your favorites at home -- it's easy and only a fraction of the cost!

 Go ahead!

Astound your family and friends with your culinary abilities!

 

--Olive Garden Lasagna--

Alfredo Sauce:

1/2 lb. sweet or salted butter

12 oz. heavy cream

Fresh ground white pepper

1 1/2 cups fresh Parmesan, grated

Ricotta Cheese Mix:

1 pint Ricotta cheese

2 oz. Romano, grated

3 oz. Mozzarella, shredded

2 tbls. green onions, sliced

2 teas. fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 teas. salt

1/8 teas. black pepper

1/4 teas. dried basil

1/4 teas. dried oregano

1 1/4 cups Alfredo sauce, cooled

Vegetable Mix:

4 cups broccoli florets

2 cups carrots, sliced 1/4"

4 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced 1/4"

2 cups red bell peppers, diced

1 cup green bell pepper, diced 1 cup yellow onion, diced

2 cups zucchini, sliced

Lasagna noodles

18 slices Mozzarella cheese, 1/2 oz. each

Lay out enough dry lasagna strips in a 9x13 pan to ensure you have enough to make 3 full layers, with very little overlap on each layer. Remove the dry strips and cook according to package instructions until barely "al dente" and drain.

ALFREDO SAUCE: Heat water to a boil in the bottom of a double boiler. Add butter, cream and pepper to the top pot and heat until butter is completely melted, then stir in Parmesan until melted and blended.

Remove top pot and set aside to cool. Divide the Olive Garden Lasagna 307 sauce into 2 equal portions. Refrigerate 1 portion for use later.

RICOTTA CHEESE MIX: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and blend thoroughly with a rubber spatula. Set aside at room temp.

VEGETABLES: Combine all veggies and mix well.

ASSEMBLY: Coat the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish with vegetable spray. Lay out cooked lasagna strips (about 4) to cover entire bottom. Spread 1-1/4 c of the Ricotta mix evenly over the strips. Top with 8 c of veggie mix and spread out evenly. Lay out 9 of the mozzarella slices to cover the veggie layer. Repeat this layering. Top the second layer of mozzarella slices with lasagna strips and spread them evenly with 1-1/4 c ricotta cheese mix to finish.

COOKING: Spray a sheet of foil with vegetable spray and cover the baking dish tightly with the foil, sprayed side down. Bake in a preheated 375F oven for about an hour or until the internal temp is 165F. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for a few minutes, covered, before cutting and serving. Immediately prior to serving, heat the reserved portion of Alfredo Sauce and ladle the hot sauce over each slice of lasagna as it is served.

 

--Olive Garden Pasta Frittata--

12 Ounce spaghetti, cooked, cut into 2" pieces

3 Ounce green onions, sliced

3 Ounce thick bacon, cooked and chopped

vegetable spray or margarine

3 tblsp Fontina, shredded, heaping

Parmesan, grated

3 3/4 cup

FRITTATA BATTER: 6 Medium eggs

2 1/2 cups Half and half

5 Teaspoon cornstarch

1 dash nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350F.

 

FRITTATA BATTER: Beat eggs, half and half, cornstarch, salt and nutmeg thoroughly until all ingredients are completely blended. Blend the 2" spaghetti pieces, green onion rings and bacon pieces in a bowl until evenly mixed.

Coat a 1-1/2 qt round baking dish, including walls, with spray or margarine. Empty the spaghetti mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly. Add the frittata batter to cover the filling mix.

Bake in a 350~ oven for about 25 minutes until center is set. When center is set, cover the frittata evenly with the Fontina and bake until cheese is golden. Turn off the heat and open oven door. Let the frittata set in the open oven for 15 minutes for the batter to set more firmly and make removing from the dish easy. Before serving, sprinkle with Parmesan and cut into 4 wedges.

 

--Olive Garden Shrimp Primavera--

SAUCE:

6 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 tbsp. garlic, fresh, minced

1 oz. package Knorr Newburg Sauce Mix (or similar)

32 oz. crushed tomatoes, canned

1-1/2 tbsp. lemon juice, fresh

1/4 tsp. (or to taste) red pepper, crushed

1/2 tsp. basil, dry

1/4 tsp. marjoram, dry

1/2 tsp. black pepper

VEGETABLES:

1/2 lb. mushrooms, halved (or quartered if large)

1 cup green bell peppers, cut into 1" squares

1 cup red bell peppers, cut into 1" squares

1/2 cup yellow onion, cut into 1" squares

2 Tbsp. butter for sauting

PASTA:

1 lb. fresh Olive Garden Linguine (or quality dry pasta)

SHRIMP:

1 lb. medium to large fully cooked shrimp, thawed and drained Melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook one minute. Add remaining spice and tomato ingredients, stir well and simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, melt 2 tbsp. butter. Saute vegetables about 3 minutes until crisp - tender. Add to the sauce and simmer 5 minutes more.

Cook pasta according to directions. When pasta is almost done, stir shrimp into sauce to heat through. Do not boil. Spoon Primavera over hot linguine. Pass Parmesan cheese.

 

--Olive Garden Capellini Pomodoro--

3 cloves Garlic, mince

2 pounds Plum tomatoes; seeded, diced

1 ounce Fresh basil leaves, minced

1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil

3 ounces Parmesan cheese

12 ounces Dry angel hair pasta, cooked

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

Heat olive oil and add garlic; cook until it turns white. Add tomatoes and pepper and heat through, stirring constantly, about 2 to 3 minutes. Tomatoes should not lose their shape.

Remove from heat. Transfer hot, cooked pasta to large bowl. Toss pasta gently with tomato mixture, basil and half of Parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately and pass remaining Parmesan.

 

--Olive Garden Fettucine Alfredo--

8 ounces Cream cheese -- cut in bits

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese -- grated

1/2 cup Butter or margarine

1/2 cup Milk

8 ounces Fettuccine; cook -- drain

In large saucepan combine cream cheese, Parmesan, butter and milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Toss pasta lightly with sauce, coating well. Leftovers freeze well.

 

 

--Olive Garden House Dressing--

8 ounces Paul Newman's Vinegar and Oil Dressing

1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

1/2 teaspoon Dried basil 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano

3 packages Sweet and Low -- or 1 tablespoon Sugar

Put ingredients into the bottle of dressing and shake well. Refrigerate 24 hours before using.

 

--Olive Garden Tiramisu Dessert--

1 Sponge cake, (10 to 12 inch about 3" tall)

3 ounces Strong black coffee, or instant espresso

3 ounces Brandy or rum

1-1/2 pounds Cream cheese or mascarpone, room temperature

1-1/2 cups Superfine/powdered sugar

Unsweetened cocoa powder

Cut across middle of sponge cake forming two layers, each about 1 1/2 inches high.

Blend coffee and brandy. Sprinkle enough of mixture over bottom half of cake to flavor it strongly. Don't moisten cake too much or it may collapse on serving.

Beat room-temperature cheese and 1 cup sugar until sugar is completely dissolved and cheese is light and spreadable. Test for sweetness during beating, adding more sugar if needed.

Spread cut surface of bottom layer with half of the cheese mixture. Replace second layer and top this with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle top liberally with sifted cocoa.

Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours before cutting and serving.

 

Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants for over 30 years, and holds provincial and national certificates in the culinary trade.  More of his articles can be found at A CULINARY MYSTERY TOUR - A Literary Chef  and at the #1 canine information site PUPPY DOGS INFO - Dog Breeds, Training, Care & History

 

Buon appetito!

Fabulous Olive Garden Recipes

The Olive Garden restaurant is known for their unlimited salad and bread sticks and romantic Italian atmosphere. The Olive Garden is a great place to eat, but my budget doesn't allow me to eat out as much as I did a few years ago. Fortunately, you can find some of their recipes online and make them at home! I wanted to take just a moment and give you my Top 3 Olive Garden recipe recommendations. With these recipes, you can impress all of your friends!

Olive Garden Chicken Vino Bianco
2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup flour
1/4-1/2 cup sliced onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine (I like Bella Sera Pino Grigio)
salt
pepper
2 cups sliced mushrooms
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup roma tomatoes
cooked linguine or fettuccine

Heat oil in skillet on med-high heat.
Lightly dredge chicken breats in flour, season with salt and pepper and brown sides in skillet and remove onto plate until later.
Stir in onions, garlic, and butter, cook until tender; then add mushrooms and cook until golden.
Stir in wine and bring to a simmer.
Return chicken to the pan, and cook over med-high heat until chicken is done; add tomatoes and cook until tender.
Serve over cooked fetticuine or liguine noodles.

Olive Garden Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
1 cup Plain Bread Crumbs
2 tablespoons Flour
1/4 cup Kraft Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Milk
6 (1/2") Thick Pieces of Chicken Breast Strips (chicken tenders)
Vegetable Oil (frying)
2 cups dry Bowtie Pasta
2 tablespoons Butter
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 teaspoons Crushed Garlic
1/2 cup White Table Wine (Chablis)
1/4 cup Water
2 tablespoons Flour
3/4 cup Half and Half
1/4 cup Sour Cream
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Basil Leaves
3/4 cup Mild Asiago Cheese (finely grated)

***Garnish***
4 Broccoli Florets (lightly steamed)
2 White Mushrooms (quartered lightly steamed)
1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Wash and drain chicken strips.
3. Mix breadcrumbs, flour, and Parmesan cheese together. Place milk in dish for dipping. Dip chicken in breadcrumb mixture and then in milk and then back in breadcrumbs.
4. Place in fry pan that the oil has been heated and fry at medium to medium low temperature until golden. Remove and drain chicken.
5. In a saucepan on medium heat, melt butter, add olive oil. Whisk in flour until mixture is blended. Quickly add garlic, water, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt stir well. Add wine and blend. Immediately add half and half and sour cream stir. When mixture is smooth add grated cheese stir until melted. Finally sprinkle fresh basil in the sauce and stir lightly and remove from heat.
6. Place 2 cups pasta in individual pasta dish. Spoon about 1/2 - 3/4 cup sauce over pasta, add broccoli and mushrooms. Place Parmesan Chicken on pasta and sprinkle red crushed pepper and add grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms
8 - 12 Fresh Mushrooms
1 (6 oz.) Can Clams (drained and finely minced) (save 1/4 cup of clam juice for stuffing)
1 Green Onions (chopped finely, about 1 Tbsp.)
1 Egg (beaten)
1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/8 tsp. Garlic Salt
1/2 C. Italian Style Bread Crumbs
1tsp. Oregano Leaves
1 Tbsp. Melted Butter (cool)
2 Tbsp. Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp. Finely Grated Romano Cheese
2 Tbsp. Finely Grated Mozzarella Cheese (for stuffing)
1/4 C. Finely Grated Mozzarella Cheese (for garnish)
1/4 C. Melted Butter

Wash and remove stems from mushrooms, pat dry. Save stems for another recipe. In mixing bowl place clams, onions, garlic salt, minced garlic, butter and oregano. Mix through and blend well. Add Italian bread crumbs, egg, clam juice and blend. Stir cheeses in clam stuffing and mix well.
Place clam mixture inside mushroom cavity and slightly mound clam mixture. You should be able to stuff between 8 - 12 mushrooms depending on the size of mushrooms.

Place mushrooms in slightly oiled baking dish. Pour butter over mushrooms. Cover and place in a preheated oven at 350 decrease for about 35 - 40 minutes. Remove cover and sprinkle freshly grated mozzarella cheese on top and pop back in oven just so the cheese melts slightly, garnish with freshly diced parsley.