The owl one is most likely to see here in Story, Wyoming, is
the Great Horned Owl. Like the little Screech Owl, they also fish when the
creek is shallow from winter freeze-up. And this time of year, when we are all
becoming weary of winter, they court as well. In the early evenings one can
hear their hoot-hoot-hooting through the woods. First a low hooting, then off
somewhere else, a high hoot will answer back. Owls nest early, maybe so they
won’t have to compete for nesting sites with other birds of prey, like hawks
and eagles.
This time of year when we are months from both the harvest
and the sowing of our gardens, I would like to offer a couple of recipes.
WILD WYOMING COLD AND COUGH SYRUP
1. A bundle of chokecherry and/or
wild plum twigs - if you are getting cabin-fever like the rest of us, grab your
pruning shears and go outside. Trim off a handful of sucker-branches from
chokecherry or plum bush. If you don’t have any wild around, domestic is fine.
Go back inside and whittle off the tender bark and boil it up in a half gallon
of water. This alone makes a fine tea for lung congestion, and besides, it’s a
pretty color.
2. Strain the bark and add 2
cups of dried rosehips, 1 cup of dried elderberries, a stick of cinnamon and a
thumb-sized peeled piece of ginger. Simmer all that up for about an hour.
Strain then….
3. Add honey to taste. You can
add brandy too but it’s not necessary. This syrup will sooth a scratchy throat and
keep for a long while in the frig.
SAGE TEA
Sage
is a wonderful herb for thrush or a sore throat and surprisingly pleasant to
drink. Just steep some dried leaves in boiling water for a few minutes, and add
a little honey. Sip that and your throat will feel better.
PORK CHOPS WITH SAGE
Sauté
in olive oil some pork chops or chicken breasts over medium heat, turning until
browned. Add a big ol’ squashed garlic clove, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and
about a tablespoon of dried sage that you have crumbled between your hands to
release the aroma. You may add a touch of Marsala or white wine, or not. Cover
and cook until done. Quick and easy!
If you have dried
herbs to see you through the winter, be generous with yourself and use them up!
They are meant to be used and replaced on a yearly basis for the best cooking
results. I remember after my grandmother died we inherited numerous little red
and white tins of herbs that sat around for YEARS! Maybe I thought I could keep
her memory alive by keeping them around, but they were dust for cooking.
Well, that is what I have to say about herbs for March.
Courtney Caplan
Magpie Potions
Ah, this makes me miss that mountain air! I have never had the chance to spot an owl in Story. I am sure it was a wonderful peak into nature.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to more recipes!