Articles and Features � Go Local Chico

Recipe: The Passionate Asparagus

dreamstimefree_5160437(2) There are many tasty ways to enjoy seasonal asparagus. Most people snap off the thickest part of the end and toss it, but my mom always peels the ends and enjoys another inch of her Spring favorite! Here are a couple of recipes to give your Spring Passion a little zip and variety!

Roasted Asparagus for 4: Simple and so Tasty

1 pound asparagus spears, 1 1/2 T lemon olive oil (or olive oil), 3/4 t. sea salt.

Preheat oven to 425, place a single layer of asparagus in a baking dish, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 10 minutes, turning spears at 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Add lemon a squeeze of juice at the end for extra kick.

Asian Asparagus for 4: with Citrus Zing!

1 pound asparagus spears, 1 1/2 T. butter, 1 T. roasted sesame seeds, 2 T. orange juice, 1 t. sesame oil

Cut spears on the diagonal into 2 inch pieces. Par-boil asparagus in lightly salted water for 6- 8 minutes- drain and rinse in cold water to keep color. In sauce pan melt butter, add sesame seeds and stir until browned- for 2 or 3 minutes. Add orange juice and sesame seeds to sauce pan and stir, add asparagus and toss until coated and heated through.

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Recipe: Hawaiian French Toast

Ingredients:

1. loaf King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread (found in WINCO deli section and specialty stores)

2. 8 eggs

3. 1 1/4 c. milk

4. dash of salt

Slice approximately 1″ thick and dip in custard mixture. Fry in light vegetable oil or butter, watch carefully- sweet bread will burn quickly. Serve with powdered sugar, preserves or syrup- try coconut syrup for a real treat! This was always a favorite growing up in Hawaii.

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Garden Events All Over in April

In a North State Garden April

There are so many low cost and free garden events in our area. A wonderful way to catch up on what is happening is with In A North State Garden, a weekly Northstate Public Radio and web-based program celebrating the art, craft and science of home gardening in Northern California and made possible in part by the Gateway Science Museum – Exploring the Natural History of the North State and on the campus of CSU, Chico.

In a North State Garden is conceived, written, photographed and hosted by Jennifer Jewell – all rights reserved jewellgarden.com. In A North State Garden airs on Northstate Public Radio Saturday mornings at 7:34 AM Pacific time and Sunday morning at 8:34 AM Pacific time.

April Highlights- check In A North State Garden for full calendar:

April 1, 8,15, 29 – Chico: Chico High School Greenhouses & Horticulture Plant Sale! 9am- 4pm, located at CHS Greenhouses off of West Sacramento Ave. We have pony packs of Early Girl and Beefsteak tomatoes ($2.00/pack), a lot of fern varieties in hanging baskets and in 4”- 8” pots. We also have a wide selection of foliage houseplants that would suit a houseplant lover. i.e. ornamental banana trees, umbrella plants, pothos, ficus trees. The prices range from $2.00-$9.00. PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE SCHOOL HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS. If you have any questions feel free to call: Quinn Mendez @ 891-3026 ext 381 or email: qmendez@chicousd.org

April 10 – Chico: CSU, Chico Associated Students: COMPOST WORKSHOP 11am – 12 noon, Free Workshop on Composting at the Compost Display Area on the CSU Campus. Located behind Yolo Hall past the tennis courts along the railroad tracks. Please park in the Nettleton Stadium Parking lot (permit required) and walk to the compost display area. More info, contact As Recycling: 530-898-5033, or: asrecycle@csuchico.edu.

April 10 – Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society FIELD TRIP Chaffin Family Farms and Table Mountain 12:45 pm meet at Chico Park & Ride for this trip to tour this diversified family farm at the base of and on Table Mountain, where we should see a great display of wildflowers as well! Wear sturdy shoes and bring lunch and water. More info: Gerry Ingco 530-893-5213.

April 17 – Chico: Eco-Fest 2010 CSU, Chico All Day. Kendall Lawn, West of Laxon Auditorium on the CSU, Chico Campus. The Environmental Action and Resource Center (E-ARC) will be hosting its 13th annual Ecofest on April 17 on the Kendall Lawn. We are all very excited to have another great event this year, with plenty of music, dancing, food, speakers, and enough diverse booths including GRUB and the Chico Permaculture Guild, for everyone. If you would like to sell something, prepare food, share information, create a fun and interactive booth, or simply represent your organization, you can do it all on this fun-filled day. Take this opportunity to celebrate Earth Month with great music and a ton of great people. If you are interested in participating, please contact:Brooke Langer, Environmental Action and Resource Center, BMU 301(530) 898-5676 earc@csuchico.edu

April 18 – Chico: Chico Organic Gardening: Heirloom Tomatoes and More with Brian Marshall and Nancy Heinzel 1:30 – 3:30 at the Chico Grange; $15 fee per person payable at the door. Growing heirloom tomatoes and other vegetables With Nancy Heinzel and Brian Marshall of Sawmill Creek Farms – they will have plants for sale. Hosted by Chico Organic Gardening and Valley Oak Tool. To register follow links at: www.valleyoaktool.com; More info: hazel@valleyoaktool.com 530 342-6188.

Photos by Jennifer Jewell

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Recipe: White Chili

Thai White Chili This full flavored chili carries a punch. It’s a great alternative for people who can’t have, or don’t like tomatoes.

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
2 cups chopped onion
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 rounded tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1-14.5 oz can chicken broth
4-15.5 oz cans cannellini beans
2-4.25 oz cans chopped green chilies, drained
1/4 cup Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus extra for garnish
Garnish:
Sour cream and/or shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat. Add chicken, onion and salt. Sauté until onions begin to wilt. Add garlic and sauté until golden. Sprinkle cumin and coriander into pot and stir well. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
Meanwhile, add chicken broth and one undrained can of beans to blender. Purée until smooth. Drain 3 remaining cans of beans in colander.
Add puréed beans, drained beans, chopped chilies and Garlic Chili Pepper Sauce to pot. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Just before serving, stir in cilantro and serve. Garnish with sour cream and cheddar cheese

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Water Walk – Doing a Little Bit of Good

Water Walk 2010- single As you are reading this letter, many people are volunteering their time to organize Chico’s second City Wide Water Walk to raise awareness and money for safe water in developing countries and awareness for water conservation in our own community. This event is being sponsored by Bridging The Gap By Giving Foundation, a local foundation, founded four years ago by Shirley Adams. BTG partners with North Valley Community Foundation.

Water Walk 2010 The Water Walk is educational, fun and inspirational for the whole family. The event takes place in Bidwell Park on April 17, 2010. Walkers begin their walk at the One Mile Park with an empty bucket on a 2K or 5K walk. As they walk they visit educational stations about the great need for safe water globally & water conservation in our community. Participants fill their water buckets at the midpoint from the creek and carry it back to the One Mile Park.

Because of the generosity of participants and corporate sponsors, BTG was able to raise $24,000, which was matched by a private donor, to bring the total amount to $48,000. One hundred percent of the money raised was used for water projects that gave safe water to 1,371 Africans for life. The walk was well received by the community and attracted 400 walkers. We expect the number of walkers to double this year.

Packet Pick Up Night is April 16 from 3-7pm at the T-Bar on 250 Vallombrosa.

Thanks to the T-Bar- 20% of all food and beverage purchases during Packet Pick Up Night will go to the Water Walk-Be sure to mention BTG”s Water Walk when ordering! Bring your friends, it is Tea Time!

Fleet Feet will again be featuring Bridging The Gap’s Water Walk from April 10th through April 17th. When you shop at Fleet Feet mention Bridging The Gap’s Water Walk and 10% of your purchase will be donated to Bridging The Gap.

Children’s Prizes for most pledges: 20″ Electra Townie Bike from Sports LTD, $150 gift certificate from Haley’s Martial Arts, a gift bag from Trader Joe’s. Adult’s Prizes for most pledges: $250 gift certificate from Campus Bicycles, 3 month family membership at In Motion Fitness, $165 gift certificate from Simply Pilates.

“Do your little bit of good where you are. It is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm thee world.” – Desmond Tutu

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Recipe: The Passionate Asparagus

Recipe: Hawaiian French Toast

Garden Events All Over in April

Recipe: White Chili

Water Walk – Doing a Little Bit of Good