February 24, 2024

WEEKLY MENU 02.25.24

We welcome March during the Weekly Menu 02.25.24 with an homage to our favorite flower~

March shows up during the Weekly Menu 02.25.24 – and we couldn’t be happier. We’ve got no reason to complain about this winter in Erieland, as it’s been crazy mild, with very little snow and plenty of sunshine. That being said, though, the advent of March is still a joyous time! It won’t be long now before we start seeing my favorite flower everywhere.

Welcome Back, Tulips!

We’ve had a surfeit of bunnies around here for the past couple of years. (We know what THEY were doing during Covid!) Late last summer, they seemed to disappear when a little fox moved into the area. Alas, the damage had been done – we have very few, if any, tulips left to spring up when the weather allows. I’d love to say I was proactive and replanted in the fall, but of course that didn’t happen. I always think it’s too soon, and the, all of a sudden, it’s too late. Luckily, we can find them everywhere!

Tulip Timeline

Native to Central Asia and Turkey.

Cultivation probably began around the 10^th

They became extremely popular in the 16^th century in Turkey.

In the 1590’s the first tulip bulbs are cultivated in the Netherlands.

The 1620s and 1630s in Holland see the boom of Tulipomania.

1730, the end of the Tulip Era in Turkey.

First arrival of tulips in the USA with Dutch settlers in late 17^th

Bouqs.com

Where Do Tulips Come From Now?

Though they had been noted around Europe from the middle of the 16^th century, it was when they arrived in the Netherlands that they found their true home. The amazingly flat and fertile lowlands of the area proved to be perfect for growing the flowers, but what made a similar difference was the growing middle class of Dutch society, which took heartily to the fantastic coloring and natural variation of the flower.

If you are buying tulips, either as cut flowers or as bulbs to grow yourself, they will more than likely have originated in the Netherlands. The country produces about nine billion bulbs a year and is by far the biggest exporter to the USA.
Bouqs.com

I’m going to be honest here. I don’t have a favorite tulip color. I like the original shape (no crazy frilled petals for this girl) but any color works for me.

In the 20th century it was discovered that the frilly petals and dramatic flames that gave some varieties their stunning look, were in fact the symptoms of an infection by the mosaic virus. The healthy flowers were supposed to be solid, smooth and monotone. The virus came to the tulip from a louse living on peaches and potatoes. These diseased varieties are no longer sold, what you can find is hybrids that look similar but are genetically stable!
Sarah Raven

THIS fall I’m planting bulbs. Pinkie Swear.

Weekly Menu 02.25.24

What are we eating while we’re waiting for the gorgeous tulips to show? Glad you asked. We’re keeping it simple on Sunday with Pork Milanese. Our appetizer is Baked Bruschetta. I’m buying bruschetta from the grocery store and topping some lightly toasted crostini with a spoonful before sprinkling on some mozzarella. Then I’ll pop it under the broiler for a minute. (While staying close – our new stove has a screamingly hot broiler. I’ve burned more things in the last few months than ever before. I get easily distracted, so…)

Of course, we’ll have some arugula dressed very simply with a drizzle of good olive oil, red wine vinegar and honey under the pork. And we’re adding a simple roasted potato for a tasty side. Despite the upturned nose D gave me when he heard about “dessert”, we’re having some biscotti to conclude the meal.

We’re running the gamut from Asian to Mexican to Creole and back to Italian before finishing up the week with classic clam chowder. Maybe. There is some talk about going to a Lenten Fish Fry. Yum.