![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Miscellaneous update
Wow, I don't post as much when I don't have bird news to share. Hm, what's new? My mom had a scare last weekend, she fainted in church and they called an ambulance and took her to the emergency room. Fortunately she's fine, they don't really know what caused the syncopy (that term always sounds so darned festive for just meaning 'fainting'!) but suspect a combination of factors including heat, low sodium, and hyperventilation.
I guess all the fun birds are off nesting, I'm mostly seeing finches, sparrows, starlings and grackles (#!@!!) at the feeder at the moment. Occasionally a jay or a flicker, but that's about it. The very fat suet-feeder-raiding squirrel hasn't been seen in some time, I suspect our fox may have gotten him, either that, or he had heart-failure from all the suet he'd snarfed. ;D Despite our having planted a bunch of flowers purported to attract hummingbirds to feeders, we've only seen two hummingbirds so far. They seem confused by the 'flying saucer' style feeder I have, so I think I may need to replace it with a more traditional one. We also are having to fight slugs and snails in our tiny flower garden for the first time I can remember. It's been weirdly humid here this summer. Beer didn't seem to be working, so I ended up getting a product that's basically granulated iron phosphate which apparently keels the snails and slugs ded, but does not harm other animals or plants. So far it seems to be working.
I've been trying some new recipes. Last night I made some hummus, combining 3 different recipes and it came out amazingly well, very lemony-garlicky-spicy, so I'm pimping the recipe behind the cut.
Spicy Garlic Hummus
4 garlic cloves
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained (or cook your own)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
Juice of 2 lemons, freshly squeezed
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp hot sauce (I used Cholula but your favorite is fine)
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
A pinch or two of cayenne pepper
A handful chopped fresh parsley leaves or a tablespoon or so of dried parsley
With the food-processor running, drop the garlic down the feed tube and process until it's minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is smooth and creamy. Let it sit overnight in the fridge for the flavors to combine properly. Serve with pita bread or tortilla chips.
Monday I made a (new to me) curry- a red "Madras" style one which includes potatoes and chickpeas. I used chicken for the protein and it was tasty, but think it would be better with beef or lamb. If anyone wants that recipe, I can post it after I get home, just let me know. It includes a recipe for the Madras curry paste used to make it, which makes enough for a small jar to use on other occasions.
I guess all the fun birds are off nesting, I'm mostly seeing finches, sparrows, starlings and grackles (#!@!!) at the feeder at the moment. Occasionally a jay or a flicker, but that's about it. The very fat suet-feeder-raiding squirrel hasn't been seen in some time, I suspect our fox may have gotten him, either that, or he had heart-failure from all the suet he'd snarfed. ;D Despite our having planted a bunch of flowers purported to attract hummingbirds to feeders, we've only seen two hummingbirds so far. They seem confused by the 'flying saucer' style feeder I have, so I think I may need to replace it with a more traditional one. We also are having to fight slugs and snails in our tiny flower garden for the first time I can remember. It's been weirdly humid here this summer. Beer didn't seem to be working, so I ended up getting a product that's basically granulated iron phosphate which apparently keels the snails and slugs ded, but does not harm other animals or plants. So far it seems to be working.
I've been trying some new recipes. Last night I made some hummus, combining 3 different recipes and it came out amazingly well, very lemony-garlicky-spicy, so I'm pimping the recipe behind the cut.
Spicy Garlic Hummus
4 garlic cloves
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained (or cook your own)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
Juice of 2 lemons, freshly squeezed
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp hot sauce (I used Cholula but your favorite is fine)
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
A pinch or two of cayenne pepper
A handful chopped fresh parsley leaves or a tablespoon or so of dried parsley
With the food-processor running, drop the garlic down the feed tube and process until it's minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is smooth and creamy. Let it sit overnight in the fridge for the flavors to combine properly. Serve with pita bread or tortilla chips.
Monday I made a (new to me) curry- a red "Madras" style one which includes potatoes and chickpeas. I used chicken for the protein and it was tasty, but think it would be better with beef or lamb. If anyone wants that recipe, I can post it after I get home, just let me know. It includes a recipe for the Madras curry paste used to make it, which makes enough for a small jar to use on other occasions.