Cabrillo National Monument

Weed Warriors’ Pandemic Cookbook

PhotobyR.A.

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Weed Warriors of Cabrillo National Monument

Toquotethe‘FieldNotes’blogonCabrilloNational

Monument’swebsite,

“Foralllivingthings,adaptationiscrucialtoensure

survivalunderagivensetofcircumstances.”

We’veallhadtoadapttothesecurrentCOVID-19

circumstances…

...shelteringinplace,socialdistancing,fewtripstothe

grocerystore,limitedfooditems.

TakinginspirationfromCABR’shardynativeplants’

abilitytoadapt,theWeedWarriorshavecreated,

a‘VeryLimitedEditionandVeryLimitedIngredient’

Cookbook.

EnjoytheWeedWarriors’adaptationtosurvival!

IntroductionbyKatrinaGerace

PumpkinSoupfromCupboard

LonieBrowna.k.a.TheWeedMaster:DestroyerofWeeds

BiologicalScienceTechnician

Whatyouneed:

! 2x15ozcannedPumpkin! 3TbspDriedMincedOnionor2tsp.OnionPowder! ¼tspeachSalt,blackpepper,cinnamon+nutmeg! 1tspGarlicPowderor½tsp.GarlicSalt(buteliminate

thesaltabovethen)! 2TbspMapleSyruporanysweetener! 3cupsVeggiestockorBouillonw/water! 2TbspCreamyPeanutButter! 6ozEvaporatedmilk

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Toalargesaucepanaddpumpkin,onion,pepper,cinnamon,nutmeg,garlic,salt,andsweetener.

2. Mixthoroughly.3. AddVeggiestockandheatjusttoboiling.4. TurndowntosimmerandaddPeanutButter.5. Simmerfor10minutesandremovefromheat.6. AddEvaporatedMilkandreturntosimmerfor5min,butdo

NOTboil.7. Transfersoupmixturetoablenderoruseimmersionblenderto

pureethesoup.Pourmixturebackintopot.

Thepeanutbuttergivesitaddedproteinandasmoothingquality.Anyleafygreen(cannedorfrozen)canbeaddedtogiveextravitaminsandminerals.Servewithhomemadecranberrybiscuitsorbreadfortheaddedfruit.Theseextrasgiveonetheorange,green,andredfoodsmakingitawell-roundedmeal.

Before…

PhotobyL.B.

After…

PhotobyL.B.

“Withthis‘Stay-at-Home’ordinance,I’velearnedlifeiseasierwhenyoulistentothelittlethings:abirdsong,thesoundoftheocean,achild’slaugh,thewindblowing,asquirrelchittering.

LonieB.

TacoSoup

ChrisBallard

a.k.a.SweetCloverPreviouspayingoccupation:HospiceNurse

Whatyouneed:

!1LBGroundBeef

!115ozcanBlackBeans,orKidneyBeans

!115ozcandicedorstewedTomatoes

!PackageTacoSeasoning

!1CupWater

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Brownmeat,drainfat,addtherestoftheingredients&

simmerfor½hour.

2. Garnishwithanyofyourfavorite.Iusegreenonion,cilantro,gratedcheese,sourcream,avocado,&tortillachips.

Sweet Clover [ Melilotus indicus ]

PhotobyL.B.

PhotobyL.B.

Pulloutthisinnocentlooking,notsosweetinvasiveweed!

MexicanCasserole

ChrisBallarda.k.a.SweetClover

Previouspayingoccupation:HospiceNurse

Whatyouneed:

! 1lb.hamburgerorturkey! 1cupchoppedonion(optional)! 1clovemincedgarlic! 115ozcandicetomatoes,OR4mediumtomatoes

quartered! 2TBSchilipowder! 1beefbouilloncubeorequivalent! 1/2cuphotwater! 1cupsourcream! 3-4corntortillasquartered! 1cupjackcheeseORMexicanblend

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Brownmeat,addonionandgarlic,cooktilltender.2. Addseasonings,water,beefcubeandtomatoes,simmerfor

15minutesthenlayer:Sauce;Tortillas,SourCream;&Cheese

3. Cookinoven,350degrees,for30minutes.(Canbemadeahead)

Ovenchicken:

1. Chickenparts,Iuseskinless,bonelessbreasts&meltedbutter,Ritzcrackers,garlicpowder,Parmesancheeseblendedinfoodprocessor.

2. Dipchickeninbutterandrollbothsidesincrackermixture.

3. Bake350degrees45minutes-60minutesuntildone.

MediterraneanSchismus[Schismusbarbatus]…

PhotobyR.A.

TakethemOUT!

“Withthis‘Stay-At-Home’ordinance,I’velearnedtomakegoodmealswithwhat’sinthecupboard.And,thatImissallmysocialcontactsmorethanIrealized.IamsogratefultohaveahomeandayardIloveandcanbecomfortable&safein.”Chris.B.

VeryDeliciousChocolateMousse

GinnyBuergera.k.a.LemonadeBerry

Previouspayingoccupation:HighSchoolMathTeacher

Whatyouneed:Yields7Cups(8Servings:cutinhalfifneeded)

! 1½CupHeavyCream! ½CupgranulatedSugar! 12ozDarkChocolate,roughlychopped! 4LargeEggs,roomtemperature! ¼CupStrong(Brewed)Espresso,

(or,verystrongbrewedCoffee)! LightorDarkRum(orMasala,orBrandy)! 1tspVanillaExtract! ¼tspKosherSalt

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Inalargebowl,orstandmixeronmediumspeed,whipthecreamtoglossy,mediumpeaks–about5minutes.

2. Setasideintherefrigerator.3. Inasmallsaucepanovergentleheat,meltthesugarwith¼cup

wateruntildissolved.Assoonasthesyrupbeginstoboil,turnofftheheat.

4. Addchocolate&eggstoblender,andblendonmedium-highspeedwhileslowlypouringinthehotsugarsyrup,whichwillmeltthechocolate&cooktheeggs.Keeptheblenderrunninguntilthemixtureisextremelysmooth.Thenaddtherestofthechocolatemixturetothewhipped-creammixture,andfolduntiltherearenostreaks.

5. Pourintoindividualservingbowls(likeramekinsorglasses),andsetinthefridgeuntilfirm(atleast2hrsorupto24hrs).

RussianThistles[Salsola]…

PhotosbyL.B.

BeaRussianThistle-blower!

Beforetheygettoabigbush,let’sgetthemout.(Therootsarethin&deep,somakesurerootsarecompletelyout.)

“WiththisStay-At-Homeordinance,I’velearnedmanynewstreetsinmyendlessramblings.”GinnyB.

PorkChiliVerdew/SlowCooker

KatrinaGeracea.k.a.SageBrush

Currentpayingoccupation:ElementarySchoolTeacher

Whatyouneed:

! 2lb.Pork*

! 1Largejarofverdesalsa

! 1Onion,diced

! Salt&Peppertotaste

! 2CupsWatertocovertheingredients

*VegetarianVersion:Usepintobeansand/orhominyinsteadofpork.

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Slowcookfor4-5hours(addmorewaterifneeded).

- Servewithcorntortillasandanyofyourfavorites:Cilantro,DicedJalapeño,Avocado,Sourcream.

Stork’sbill[Redstemfilaree]…

PhotobyR.A.

Pullthesedarnthingsout!

“With this ‘Stay-At-Home’ ordinance, I’ve learned that being alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. Although I’m spending quite a bit of time alone, I certainly haven’t felt lonely because of Zoom, FaceTime, conference calls, and enjoying the alone time that I have with just myself!” Katrina G.

VeryTastyPruneJuiceChocolateSorbet

SonyaHolmquista.k.a.ToothbrushFairy

Previouspayingoccupation:FundDevelopmentDirectorforEnvironmentalHealthCoalition

Whatyouneed:

! 550ml(Slightlymorethan2Cups)prunejuice! 200grams(1Cup)sugar! 45grams(scant½Cup)Unsweetenedcocoapowder! Pinchofsalt! 150grams(used1CupChocolateChips)Semisweet

chocolate! 1/2tspVanilla

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Whiskhalftheprunejuicewiththesugar,cocoaandsalt.2. Putinalargesaucepanandwhiskwhilethemixturecomes

toaboil;thensimmergentlyfor1minute.3. Removefromheatandaddthechocolatechips;stiruntil

melted.4. Addtheremainingprunejuiceandvanilla.5. Transfertoablenderandblendfor15seconds.6. Chillthoroughly,thenchurninanicecreamchurnerperits

instructions.

Note:

Well,ItookthechallengeandtriedtomakesomethinginterestingfromwhatIhadinmypantry.Hadtheusualstuff-driedandcannedbeans,tuna,salmon,corn,tomatoproducts,soups-butnothinginterestinguntilIcameacrosscannedplumsandprunejuice.Alloftheplumrecipesusedbutter,milkoreggs,butthenIcameacrossaprunejuicechocolatesorbet.Ihadalloftheingredientsbutitmaynotqualifyfortherecipebooksinceit’snotanoriginal,butI’llshareitanywaysinceit’squitetasty.

Idon’thaveanicecreamchurnersoIgoogledhowtochurnbyhand.ThefirstmethodItriedwasputtingthechilledmixinaquartfreezerbag,squeezingoutasmuchairaspossible;thenputtingitinasecondquartsizebag;thenputtingitinagallonsizebagfilledwith4cupscrushediceand2tablespoonscoarsesalt(didn’thavecoarsesaltsousedregulartablesalt).Wrapthebaginatowelandshakevigorouslyfor10minutes.NothinghappenedexceptIgotsorearms.So,Itriedasecondmethodofmixingitwithahandbeater,puttingitinthefreezerfor45minutes,thenbeatingitevery30minutesuntildesiredconsistencyachieved.Thistookhours!

Theresultwasdelicious,butIwouldn’trecommenditunlessyouhaveanicecreamchurner.

ToothbrushGrass[Lamarckiaaurea]…

“Withthis‘Stay-At-Home’ordinance,I’velearnedthattherearestillsomanyfunthingstodothathouseworkstilldoesn’tgetdone.”SonyaH.

DandelionGreens

DessKammason-Kelleya.k.a.Saltbush

Previouspayingoccupation:MuseumEducator

Whatyouneed:

!DandelionLeaves

!GoodOliveOil

!Lotsoflemonjuice

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Gather the young dandelion leaves from your garden.

2. Make sure they are clean then soak in a sink filled with cold

water for a least an hour.

3. Place in a large pot of water and bring to the boil. Reduce

heat and simmer for an hour.

4. When done, lift the leaves out with a pair of tongs into a bowl.

5. Dress with a very good olive oil and lots of lemon juice.

(Don’t throw out the ‘juice’ just think of it as a tonic ready to drink!)

6. Make sure to add a squeeze to two of lemon juice.

Yum! Note:Theslightlybitterleavescanbeeatenrawinasaladoreaten

cooked

Foraging in the Garden…

One of the most abundant leafy greens found in the garden is the dandelion. This plant likes to live where humans live especially in lawns and flower beds. The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is pack with vitamins and minerals. Just look it up in Wikipedia and discover the high concentrations of iron and the ‘feel-good’ vitamin, B6. The dried root is a tonic for the liver and can be found for sale in packets on the shelves at whole food stores. If you want to do it yourself, gather and clean the roots, roast and grind.

Saltbush [ Atriplex semibaccata ]…

PhotosbyL.B.

Ahardysaltyplant.Getthemouthere!

“Withthis‘Stay-At-Home’ordinance,I’velearnedthatIamacraftsupplyhoarder.”DessK-K.

Chicken&EggBowl–Fast&Easy

RomiAdachia.k.a.WeedCommoner

Previouspayingoccupation:EducationalSoftwareDeveloper

What’syouneed:(OneServing/Bowl)

!1/2CupChickenBroth(Imakeitw/therotisseriechickenbones,&ifnot,SoupBrothfromTraderJoe’s“OrganicChickenBroth”)!½tspsugar(or1tspmirin,whitewine,orsake)!1tspsoysauce!Anyveggiesyouhave(greenonion,Napacabbage,spinach,bockchoy,slicedcarrots,onions,etc.),butfasttocook.!Chickenpieces:1serving(Iuseleftoverrotisserieones)!OneEgg–slightlywhiskedbyafolk!Cookedwarmrice,whiteorbrown,ormix.

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Inasmallfryingpan,pourChickenBroth&sugar–bringtosimmer.Addsoysauce&simmer.

2. Addvegetablesofyourchoice(myusual-onion,Napa,greenonion/spinach)&cooktillonionistender,addchicken.

3. Whenallingredientscooked,droptheeggintothepan&stirgentlyallaroundtoformanlooseomelet.

4. Pourthechicken’veggieomeletoverawarmriceinabowl.

Note:

- Iusuallyhavecookedrice,portioned&frozen.Takeoutasneeded&warmupinamicrowaveoven.

- Addedveggies,nomorethan3differentveggiesorless.- Triedmanysoupbases,butTJ’s‘OrganicChickenBroth’

wasthebest!Iusethemforothersouprecipes.

Foxtail[Bromusmadritensis]

PhotobyL.B.

Love&Haterelationship:Hatethisplant.ButLoooovetotakethemOUT!

“Withthis‘Stay-At-Home’ordinance,IhavelearnedthatIamwellpreparedforthisasanOCDpersonwithexcessivehandwashing&hoardingtoiletpapers.Itis

myheavenwheneveryonewearsamask!Iamnormalinthisrequiredenvironment.”RomiA.

StoveTopStuffing*MainDish

…waytooeasy&quicktomake!

RomiAdachia.k.a.WeedCommoner

Previouspayingoccupation:EducationalSoftware/VideoDeveloper

What’syouneed:

! 1Boxof‘StoveTopStuffing’

! Anymeatleftover,likeroastedchicken,sausage,

groundbeef,turkey,ham,pork,etc.,toadd

Asneededorifyouhaveinyourkitchen:

o Potatoes–microwavecooked&diced

o Carrots–diced&broiledw/oliveoil

o Celery–diced&sautéedinfryingpanw/oliveoil

o Anyroastedveggieswillcomplement&adaptinto

theStuffing

o Raisons,driedcranberries,ordiceddriedapricots

Let’sgetgoing:

1. FollowtheinstructionsoftheStoveTopStuffing.

2. Mixinalreadycookedmeat,vegetables,orwhateveryou

wantthemIN!

Note:TheStuffingisalreadyseasoned,sonoadditionalseasoning

needed.Forsmallerportions,useonlyhalfoftheStuffing.

*Ireadanarticlesomeonetastetested10differentboxesofstuffingbyvariousmakers&this“StoveTopStuffing”camein1st.Iwantedtocheckitout,soIboughtone.ThenthisStay-at-Homecame&foundthisinmypantry.Socametherecipe.NormallyImakestuffingfromscratch,aSouthernstyle,cornbreadstuffing.Foundit’sagreat‘stuff’tohaveinapantryforaquickmeal!Rabbit’sFootGrass[Polypogonmonspeliensis]…

PhotobyR.A.

ThisRabbit’sFoot,wewantNOfootprints!Out.

LargeBatchofEasyGoulash

Bernardo“Jose”Hurtadoa.k.a.AgaveMan

Currentpayingoccupation:MaterialsTechnician

What’syouneed:6-8Servings

! 2Onions-Chopped! 2clovesmincedGarlic! 2-3choppedCelerystalks! 1GreenBellPepper! 2lbs.GroundBeef! 26ozPastaSauce! 19ozcanned,diced,StewedTomatoes! 6ozTomatoPaste! 2-3cupsofWater! 3/4poundcookedanddrainedMacaroni! SaltandPeppertotaste! 1cupormoreshreddedsharpcheddarCheese

Let’sgetgoing:

1. Cookgroundbeefandgarlicuntilbeefispink-drainfat2. AddItalianseasoning,salt+pepper3. Addonions,celery,bellpepper4. Cookbeefuntilnopinkremains5. Addpastasauce,dicedtomatoes,tomatopaste,andwater.

Simmer15minutes,stiroccasionally

Addcookedpasta,simmer5moreminutes,topeachbowlwithcheese,andserve.

Recommendations:servewithsalad,rolls,orcracker

Shaw’sAgave[Agaveshawii]

PhotobyR.A.

Shaw’sAgaveinblooms!

“Withthis‘Stay-At-Home’ordinance,I’velearnedhowtoreplaceanelectricalsocket.”“IalsolearnedmoreaboutthevirologyofSARS-CoV-2thanmostpeoplecaretoknow"!JoseH.