July 2008

July 2 — Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation - "Joseph J. Ellis reveals that many of those truths we hold to be self-evident were actually fiercely contested in the early days of the republic." (Amazon.com) Alex Smith leads a discussion of this fascinating book. Check it out at the library!
July 9 — Milles Feuilles or Napoléons? - Oh the magic of French pastry. Explore your taste buds with Francophile Georges Detiveaux. La fête du quatorze juillet is Monday: French Independence Day has never tasted so sweet!
July 16 — JFK's Ghost - Learn why the assassination continues to haunt us. Emphasis will be on the murder case and on retired LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman's claim of "a major clue that has been ignored for forty years - a breakthrough that will change the debate over the assassination." Professor Allen Vogt from Lone Star College-North Harris presides.
July 23 — Gardening for Year-Round Color - Learn the secrets to accent your garden with color using annuals and perennials with master gardener Freddye Kelly.
July 30 — Dog Days of Summer-What's for Dinner? - Create cool, light, and refreshing fare with ease and finesse. Learn how with Chef John from HEB Cypress Market in LRNC 131 (NOTE: room change).

July 30 — Dog Days of Summer-What's for Dinner?

To get in touch with HEB cooking connection to find out about classes offered, please call: 281-758-1100.

Easy Black Bean Salad
prep time:10 minutes
serves 6-8

2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of mixicorn, drained (can use regular corn too)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of cilantro, chopped (can substitute for Italian parsley)
1/2 jar roasted red pepper and onion relish (or dip)
1/2 cup of feta, crumbled
1/4 cup red onion, chopped small (can substitute for scallions if prefer)

Mix all of the ingredients together.
Season to taste and let rest 1 hour before serving. Serve with raspberry glazed pork tenderloin for a great dinner.

Southwest Caesar Salad
Prep time : 15 minutes
Serves 4-6
1/2 cup star chefs truly authentic caesar dressing
1 tablespoon adams reserve southwest rub
(If you plan to add meat, you can use the rub on the meat instead)
1 bag hearts of romaine lettuce
2 medium-size tomatoes, cut to preferred style
1 avocado
1/2 can whole kernel corn
1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained
Optional: croutons and Parmesan cheese for garnish
you can also use tortilla chip strips in stead of croutons

-Combine dressing and rub together in a medium size salad bowl. Drain corn. Rinse and drain beans; place in bowl with dressing.
-Chop tomatoes into bite size pieces. Cut avocado in half; discard seed; then cut into wedge and discard peel.
-Toss lettuce, tomatoes and avocado with dressing, corn and beans. Top with croutons and cheese, if desired, and serve.
*You can also make this a dinner salad by adding grilled chicken to it, or other preferred meat.

July 23 — Gardening for Year-Round Color

Top 10 landscape perennials

Common Name / Scientific Name / Exposure

Baby Sun; Sunray Moonbeam; Zagreb / Coreopsis gandiflora / Sun
Daylily / Hemerocallis spp. / Sun or Semi-Shade
Goldstrum Rudbickia / Rudbeckia X Goldstrum / Sun
Perennial Hibiscus / Hibiscus X mosheutos / Sun

(Rose Mallow, Mallow Rose, Swamp Mallow). Grown primarily for its large flowers (six to 12 inches wide), the plant forms a large (three to eight foot) shrub. White, pink and red hibiscus are available. The plant is actually a herbacious perennial and will overwinter. Do not confuse this Hibixcus with K. syruacus (Althea), a woody deciduous shrub common in the landscape or with H. rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus), a tropical hibiscus which is not hardy. The Moy Grande, Flare and Lord Baltimore are highly recommended for full sun locations, wet or dry.

Purple Coneflower / Echinacea angustifolia / Sun
Garden Canna / Canna X Gerneralis / Sun or Shade
Turk's Cap / Malvaviscus drummondii / Sun or Shade
'Texas Gold' Columbine / Aquilegia Hinckleyana / Shade
Firebush / Hamelia patens / Sun
Perennial Verbena / Verbena X hubrida / Sun

Flowers and Color for All Seasons
1. Designing with Plants
2. Painting with Plants
3. Patio Gardening
4. Vertical Gardening
5. Buterfly Gardening

Fall Planted Spring-Flowering Annuals

Spring Planted Summer-Flowering Annuals

The Southern Garden
Table of Landscape Plants