Growing Groundcover Crops

Covering your extra growing space with a groundcover can give the garden and the gardener many benefits. First, cover crops will block out sunlight and crowd bare soil preventing any invasive species or weeds from sprouting. The reduction in weeds also translates into less labor for the gardener and save a lot of time pulling out unwanted plants. Cover crops also help improve soil function. They help to build and stabilize the soil while also reducing water loss from evaporation. Depending on the types of plants you choose, they can also help to prevent pests and diseases from invading. Continue reading

Hearty Ixtapa-Style Tortilla Soup

The best tortilla soup I’ve ever had came from a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Ixtapa, Mexico called Mama Norma’s. I’ve been here plenty of times as a child and this soup holds a special place in my memory. Common restaurant tortilla soup is always a huge letdown. Since unfortunately, I can’t visit Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo every day, I made up this soup at home and I swear-it tastes exactly like the original. I use toasted Ancho chili peppers to give this hearty soup its deep, smoky flavor without being too spicy. Continue reading