July Ramblings





Mexican Bird of Paradise is a heat lover!




It has been a little toasty in Borrego Springs lately.  The neighborhood is very quiet with the exception of a ton of wildlife activity - thirsty birds at our "water feature", an occasional coyote roaming the golf course, jackrabbits, squirrels and some pretty interesting orange furry ants.  The orioles like us!  It has been great having the migrating birds visit this summer.


We gave up on the vegetable garden when tomatoes started cooking on the vines.  Removed the last of the tomatoes, onions and annual herbs, incorporated a couple of bags of steer manure in each raised bed, soaked the soil and covered it with black plastic held down with bricks.  By mid-September, it will be time to start planting again.  Our first year as vegetable gardeners is behind us and can't wait to put what we have learned to use!  Herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, shallots, arugula, chard, peas, carrots and beets will all be planted again. 



FROM LA CASA DEL ZORRO FACEBOOK PAGE

 My husband and I spent our anniversary at La Casa Del Zorro.  Room was lovely with a comfortable bed and a beautiful, large bathroom.  I believe we were in one of four rooms rented the night we stayed, so it was very quiet.

We have had dinner in the Fox Den three times now.  Not too excited about the bar food, but the nightly entree specials and our breakfast after spending the night have all included the finest ingredients perfectly prepared.  Steak and rack of lamb - spectacular.  The fruit cup at breakfast was a thing of beauty and included perfect, icy-cold berries, melons and pineapple.  I would have breakfast there again just for the fruit cup.

The hotel posts specials on its facebook page, including a recent room special:

As the Perseids Fall so do our Rates! Room Rates from $99* During Peak Perseid Activity.

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  Expires Thursday, August 15, 2013.

Full Moon Artichoke Dip - Glorietta Canyon Potluck!





A couple of weeks ago on the day of a a full moon, my husband and I were invited to a potluck at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Glorietta Canyon trailhead.

 

We arrived around 5:00 p.m.  Our hosts had set up a couple of tables for food and beverage, put out the folding chairs and started the campfire, all in anticipation of having an al fresco meal while watching the golden moon rise above our quiet desert.

Another first for us in Borrego Springs.  This is a very special way to spend an evening!

  



Glorietta Meadows is a dependable area to see desert wildflowers.  Here's a map, but the folks at the Anza-Borrego Desert Park headquarters will help point you in the right direction too.



 

We brought warm artichoke dip and tortilla chips to share.  Tweeking a common recipe results in a less gooey, very flavorful "dip" that is full of tangy artichoke hearts. 

Full Moon Artichoke Dip

Ingredients
Two cans water packed artichokes hearts - drained and chopped
One small can chopped mild green chilis
One cup good parmesian cheese
3/4 cup mayonaise (more if you'd like)
Salt and freshly ground pepper 
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1 to 2 tsp.) 

Mix all ingredients.
Place in a baking dish with dip no more than 1-1/2 to 2 inches deep.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Serve warm with tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices.

Will La Casa Del Zorro Return?

La Casa Del Zorro in Borrego Springs is a distant memory, but locals continue to remember it fondly.  The hotel's early-California feel and lush grounds made it a gem in our small desert town.  

Known as La Casa del Zorro until December 2007, GH Capital bought it from The Copley Press, Inc. and renamed it Borrego Springs Ranch. The resort unfortunately closed in January 2010, putting 70 people out of work.

Rumor around town is that the property is now in escrow (Dec 2012).  Keep your fingers crossed!

THE ORIGINAL POOL

Butterfield Room. La Casa del Zorro's formal (jacket required) dining room featured historic desert paintings and a sophisticated seasonal menu.

 


KIT FOX SALAD!

La Casa Del Zorro Famous Black Bean Soup Recipe:

For Soup:
4 cups black beans

1 gallon water

1 ham hock

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, diced

2 tablespoons oil

1 tablespoon cumin powder

1 tablespoon oregano

1 teaspoon chili powder

Seasoning salt to taste

For Garnish:
8 ounces sour cream

1 bunch chives, chopped

Dry sherry, optional

Wash, sort and soak beans overnight.  Drain. Boil beans in 1 gallon water with ham hock until beans are tender, about 2 hours.

In medium pan, saute the onion and celery in the oil, then add cumin powder, oregano, chili powder and seasoning salt.
Add mixture to beans.

Take out ham hock. remove meat from bone, dice and return to soup.

Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream, fresh chives and 2 tablespoons dry sherry if desired.

Rancho la Puerta Inspired Cinnamon Orange Granola with Almonds and Walnuts

Rancho la Puerta in Tecate Mexico - the place that launched my love for inland Baja California and ultimately lead me to Borrego Springs - is one of my favorite places in the whole world.  The Ranch serves wonderful healthy food.  No meat or chicken, but the Ranch has fish several times a week, plus eggs and low fat dairy. 

A favorite treat at Rancho La Puerta is it's flavorful, crunchy granola... sprinkled throughout with toasted almonds and scented with orange zest, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. Slightly (but not too) sweet. It is so good that Rancho la Puerta guests sneak it from the dining room by the pound before they leave for home.

Tasty with Greek yogurt and fresh berries. 

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Cinnamon/Orange Granola with Almonds and Walnuts
This recipe is adapted from Rancho La Puerta's recipe.
  
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup oat or wheat bran
1 cup corsely chopped or thick slices raw almonds
1/2 cup walnuts
1 Tbs ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup unsweetened, unfiltered apple juice (or regular apple juice)
1 Tbs vanilla extract
4 Tbs canola or vegetable oil
2 Tbs fresh orange juice
1 Tbs grated orange zest (zest from two large oranges)

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, almonds, walnuts, wheat flour, bran, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.

In another bowl, whisk together honey, apple juice, vanilla, and oil until the honey is thoroughly incorporated. Add the orange zest and orange juice.

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix well. Spread the mixture evenly over the baking sheet and bake for 1 to 2 hours (depending on your own oven), checking every 15 minutes or so. When the granola begins to brown, stir and turn over gently with a spatula. Take care that the outside edges do not burn. Your home will be smelling wonderful at this point!

When golden and dry, scrape the granola onto another baking sheet and set aside  to cool. Your granola will crisp as it cools, so don't over-bake. Store in an airtight container.

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Rancho la Puerta's environment is not easily replicated.  I must admit to all of you Rancho la Puerta fans that a stay in Borrego Springs - hiking the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park trails and enjoying the quiet, peaceful surroundings, will remind you of the Ranch.  Warm, sunny days (perfect for tennis, swimming, or exploring the town's unique desert art) turn into cool nights perfect for a outdoor fire under star-filled skys. 


ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

 

ANZA-BORREGO BADLANDS



MILKY WAY OVER ANZA-BORREGO ST PARK

PALM CANYON

Beautiful homes are available to rent on VRBO.com at very reasonable prices.  I think you would enjoy renting something in the long-established deAnza neighborhood with a pool!  And don't forget to take your homemade Rancho la Puerta granola with you!

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which Borrego Springs is carved out of the middle of, offers visitors activities such as biking, hiking, horseback riding, and trails for four-wheel-drive vehicles. The park has fantastic views of the desert, nature exhibits, and other interesting areas that can be accessed by short hikes.  If you explore far enough, you’ll find fan palms, elephant trees, and lots of quiet.

A favorite Borrego Springs hike is the Palm Canyon Trail.

Prefer to camp rather than rent a place?  There are a ton of campgrounds in the park too.  Check out Borrego Palm Canyon, Culp Valley, Tamarisk Grove, Sheep Canyon, Yaqui Pass, Fish Creek, Mountain Palm Springs, Lark Canyon, and Blair Valley.