I like this recipe because it's tasty and super-forgiving -- a little more here, a little less there and it still tastes great. Perfect recipe for a relaxed Friday evening!
Ingredients
12 eggs
a little less that 1/4 cup milk
12 oz cottage cheese -- rinsed and drained
1 4oz. can of diced Hatch chiles -- hot
about 8-10 chopped scallions
1 large can sliced black olives
1 can of Rotel or tomatoes/peppers, drained
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rinse and drain cottage cheese. Spray an 9 x 13 inch baking pan with olive oil and wipe clean.
Spread the cottage cheese, cheese, scallions, chiles, olives, and Rotel in the bottom of the baking pan. Mix it all around so it's evenly distributed.
Beat together the eggs and milk and pour over the other ingredients in the baking pan. Again, mix everything around gently to be sure it's distributed evenly.
Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
Enjoy with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, or plain! Serve with tater tots and Morningstar Farms soysage for a filling meal.
I heard the sad news this morning about the death of Sudan, the last male white rhino. I think his veterinarian summed it up best: "Dr. Steve Ngulu, the veterinarian who was in charge of Sudan, said the animal's death is sad and shocking -- and a testament to human failure." There's not much new I can say about the fact that this species is creeping ever closer to extinction, but my son's video sums up my mood.
We're going in a slightly different direction this week. Usually on Mammal Monday we look at fascinating or endangered mammals. But sometimes mammals can be what we call "invasive non-natives." A recent article in the Morning Ag Clips about feral pigs got me thinking about this topic. Check out this article, which discusses the issue of feral pigs and proposed solutions.
If you're not familiar with the term invasive non-native species, here's a quick explanation. Over thousands of years, species in an ecosystem evolve together. An example of this "co-evolution" would be insects that begin to come out of winter sleep at about the same time that flowers begin to bloom -- this coordination ensures that the insects get nectar for food and that the plants get pollination. When these native species evolve together, this type of coordination helps the ecosystem remain healthy.
Sometimes, new species that didn't evolve in the ecosystem are introduced. These species are considered "non-native." Here in the Chesapeake Bay region, we often consider any species that was introduced after Europeans arrived in the area (let's say the 1600s) to be a non-native. Some non-natives stay where they're planted and really don't cause much trouble -- plants such as roses, tomatoes, and tulips are non-natives. Sure, non-native species may not be the greenest option, since they require more water or fertilizer than natives and often don't provide food sources to native species, but they aren't quite the problem that their cousins the "non-native invasive" are.
Non-native invasive species are plants or animals that are introduced into an ecosystem and quickly begin to outcompete native species. They may be a predator that eats everything in sight, such as the northern snakehead (see video below), or they could be a plant that outcompetes and kills other plants in the area (check your backyard for English ivy). Common non-native invasives include house sparrows and kudzu, but there are many, many more. And these species aren't just an ecological nuisance; they can have major economic impacts. Kudzu and bamboo can cost homeowners substantial amounts once it gets into their landscaping, and the invasive stink bug has already cost mid-Atlantic apple farmers millions of dollars in crop losses. The invasive emerald ash borer currently threatens ash trees. Why is that an issue? Think about America's past time -- wooden baseball bats are mostly made of ash wood. Zebra mussels were first introduced in the Great Lakes region, but have spread throughout the U.S. The Missouri Department of Conservation estimates that this small mollusk, responsible for clogging water intake pipes and power plant pipes, fouling boat hulls, and displacing native species, will cost the U.S. billions of dollars by the end of this decade.
But when we talk about mammal invasive non-natives (and yes, birds and fish too), animal lovers like me start to feel a little agita. On the one hand, we don't want to allow the ecological damage caused by non-natives, but on the other hand we don't want to see animals hurt or killed, although we know these organisms must be removed to protect native habitat. So what can a greenmomster do? First off, never set an unwanted pet (such as a snake or fish) loose into the environment. Check with a local nature center for proper ways to find them new homes. Second, try to encourage native plants and animals by choosing native plants for landscaping.Eradicating non-native species, particularly mammals like the nutria or feral pigs is a tough business. Prevention is our best, and most humane, weapon against non-native invasive species.
1 small head of cabbage, coarsely chopped into 1 to 2 inch squares
6 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2 inch cubes
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 to 4 tablespoons butter
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme (about 1 1/2 tablespoons if you’re using dried thyme)
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water (I used a little more)
Instructions:
Melt the butter in a large soup pot and saute the onion, potatoes, salt, and pepper for about 5 minutes
Add vegetable broth and water; boil until the potato is just soft enough to mash.
Using a hand potato masher, mash the potatoes in the soup until half the potatoes are mashed and half are still in chunks. If you really like a smooth soup, instead of hand-mashing, use a blender to puree about half the soup.
Add cabbage and thyme; cook until cabbage is soft.
I just got back from a little college touring in NC and VA. I always enjoy going to new places and discovering murals or other public art. Duke University is known for its beautiful chapel and gothic architecture, but here's what caught my eye at the student center:
Nothing like a turtle in a spring snowstorm! Want to learn a little more about turtles? Check out this previous post.
I just had to share this interesting factoid! Are you familiar with Canada geese? You probably are, because they're found in many parts of the U.S. and have even become a resident species in many areas. But look a little more closely at the flock next time -- you may see a cackling goose in the midst of the Canada geese. This newly recognized species of goose (since 2004) looks like a small Canada goose, but is less common. Here's some great information from the Audobon society on the differences between the two geese species.
Still wanting your meat-free Friday recipe? Here's an oldie, but a goodie! Yukon Gold Potato Soup -- enjoy!
Menhaden are a "keystone" species in the Chesapeake Bay. That means that they have a larger impact on their ecosystem than would be expected by their numbers -- they basically hold the food chain together, feeding larger species and eating smaller ones (algae). For more info, check out my previous post on this little fish.
I read today that the Virginia General Assembly decided not to pass an important set of protections for this fish. Here's the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's summary:
A critical piece of legislation to protect menhaden has failed to advance in Virginia's General Assembly.
This common-sense and necessary bill would have made required updates to Virginia's menhaden management plan to ensure a healthy menhaden population for years to come. The health of the Bay's ecology and economy depend on this fish. By not passing this legislation, Virginia has missed an opportunity to support better management of the menhaden resource and all the businesses that depend on a strong menhaden population.
While this is a setback, we are hopeful Virginia finds a path to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) menhaden management plan. Fish don't follow state lines, so the ASMFC process is critical for states to work together on managing fisheries. If Virginia ignores that collaborative process, it would open itself up to possible sanctions and set a dangerous precedent that threatens good fisheries management all along the Atlantic Coast.
Thank you for your support in this fight. An overwhelming number of residents and businesses expressed support for the latest menhaden management plan. With you by our side, we will not rest in our efforts to protect this critical species in Virginia.
Sincerely,
Chris Moore Senior Regional Ecosystem Scientist Chesapeake Bay Foundation
