Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Migraine, Barrie's, Pickling,

Monday morning I had a migraine, thought I wasn't getting many of those any more but... anyway, I didn't feel like handling a 6 pm visit to the hospital so I postponed it - til August would you believe? Soonest they could do it. Now, at 6:30 in the evening, I am thinking seriously of re-booking my bone density scan tomorrow. My head is still feeling achy. I didn't know, until recently, you can have migraines without actually getting a headache. In fact there is a lot more to migraines than I thought. We saw a documentary the other day.

I managed to get to the asparagus farm though. Friday I bought some at the store where the guy assured me they were really good. He also told me that he had bought from Barrie's farm before and they were delivered with white ends and he had to cut a large chunk off them. I am really not sure how many years I have been going to Barrie's but I have NEVER had asparagus from them with remotely tough ends. I think someone is telling me porkies. Not only t hat, the asparagus I did buy from him was not great. Didn't realise how tasteless until I had some of the fresh I bought today. What a difference.

I am planning to pickle some asparagus and have ordered some Mason jars with my online order - I only have little ones left - together with some mustard seeds. Think I have everything else. I can buy them pickled at the farm but they aren't cheap. You can also add hot peppers (sliced) or pepper flakes. Been doing a bit of Googling. The ones you can buy have slices of hot green peppers in them.

Mrs. Barrie's Pickled Asparagus Recipe

5 lbs of Ontario asparagus (cut to fit your Mason Jars)
For each jar
1/2 clove Garlic
1 tsp Dill seed
1 tsp Mustard Seed
6 Peppercorns

Brine
8 Cups water
2½ cups White vinegar
3 Tbs Pickling salt
½ cup sugar

Using 5 lbs of Ontario asparagus, wash well and soak in ice water while you are preparing the 6 pint jars. Place 1/2 clove of garlic, 1 tsp dill seed, 1 tsp mustard seed, and 6 peppercorns in the bottom of each jar. Place asparagus, tips up in jar. Bring 8 cups water, 2-1/2 cups white vinegar, 3 tbsp pickling salt, 1/2 cup white sugar to a boil and pour over asparagus. Process in hot bath for 5 to 6 minutes.

Source: Tim Barrie

Author Notes: Don't waste tender ends. Can them also for bite size treats

Have a great day
 

16 comments:

  1. Getting a doctor's appointment for routine check-ups is ridiculous. I just had to make mine for December. If I wait, I am out of luck. Haven't had a migraine in a while, thank goodness. They can really do you in.

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    1. Getting appointments is one of the drawbacks to social medicine unfortunately. December is ridiculous isn't it?

      I haven't had many migraines in recent years Denise, but seem to be getting a few lately.

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  2. Sorry about your migraine.
    Farm fresh is always better no matter where the store gets theirs from.

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    1. Thanks Alex.

      I do so agree with you. The difference is remarkable.

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  3. Our GP practice recently re-introduced walk in clinics for 'new' ailments - ie. non repeat appointments. It means taking your chances on the waiting time but at least you see a GP the same day.

    Hope your migraine heals soon.

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    1. We have something similar here Sue. Also, the doc I returned to makes special concessions for "over 70s". Specialists we have to wait though.

      Been thinking about you, not heard from you in a while.

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  4. If the pepper is too hot, I couldn't eat the pickled asparagus.

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    1. Well you can omit it all together if you make your own Diane. They used to sell spicy and non spicy, don't know if they still do.

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  5. I don't think I've ever had a migraine before...I've had a handful of terrible headaches where I couldn't move and barely breathe from the pain, and of course regular stress and dehydration headaches too.

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    1. Those sound like migraines to me JoJo. Have you checked with your doctor?

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  6. I'm sorry you had a migrane. I get them when I'm really stressed about something. I have to block out the light and have no noise, plus an immitrex or two.

    Love asparagus! I've never tried it pickled though.

    Hope you are feeling better.

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    1. Thanks Sharon, yes I am. The worst one I ever had was as a result of drink lots of very strong coffee in Portugal, I usually drink decaf!!!

      I have bought their pickled for years but it's not cheap so thought I would try it.

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    2. Just checking in after many months. Rod and I are living in an Assisted Living arrangement. So glad you are still "blogging."

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    3. Nice to hear from you Natalie. Hope life is being good for you both in the Assisted Living arrangement.

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  7. I’ve never pickled asparagus. Sounds interesting but to be honest I never have any of it left to pickle because it all gets eaten fresh.

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  8. I've not been blogging so much these days Jo. We were in the Canaries for 6 weeks and my little tablet packed up (luckily under guarantee). I don't have a modern phone so could only access David's computer occasionally as he's on it most of the day it seems! Off to Kenya for Safari on Sunday to celebrate my BIG birthday. Back out to Fuerteventura next month ... so not much time to draw/Blog!

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