Beginnings of a New Zealand Christmas Tree Canopy in the Costco Parking Lot in Sand City, California by Ruth Paget

New Zealand Christmas Trees in Costco Parking Lot in Sand City, California by Ruth Paget 

City planners in Sand City, California (part of Monterey County) planted New Zealand trees in the parking lot of Costco at Sand City be Seaside to help beautify grocery shopping trips. 

This hardwood tree native to New Zealand and called Pohutukawa by the indigenous Maori people there has begun to grow red-orange flowers in May. The trees are being pruned to provide a tree canopy along sidewalks to the Costco store entrance. 

These trees are relatively drought resistant once growing is established with flowers that seem to attract bees, migrating monarch butterflies, and hummingbirds. 

On the Central Coast, Santa Barbara began planting these trees in the 1800s according to the Santa Barbara Beautiful website which follows: 

https://sbbeautiful.org/new-zealand-christmas/

The nursery photo in the website below shows New Zealand Christmas Trees in bloom: 

https://useyardwork.com/products/new-zealand-christmas-tree-metrosideros-excelsa?srsltid=AfmBOopbh_e0u3pc52CwitKRkHei43SMq4vJIS5MGVKMvTsie8RNBnbC

To add a nature walk dimension to your Costco outings, look up on the way to the store to check out the beginnings of a shaded stately tree canopy to the store. 

Happy Strolling! 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Chinese Probiotic Black Bean Chicken with Vegetables at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Chinese Probiotic Black Bean Chicken with Vegetables at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

The black beans used in black bean chicken with vegetables at Golden Star Chinese Restaurant in Salinas, California are fermented black soy beans. 

As a fermented food not only do fermented soy beans have a delicious salty flavor, they are also a probiotic that promotes gut health. Fermented black beans are high in protein content and fiber. They usually replace oyster sauce as a flavoring agent when they are used in a dish. They enhance the flavor of vegetables, especially cabbage. 

At Golden Star, they flatten the chicken used in black bean chicken with vegetables to make it cook quickly in a wok. When the chicken is done, it is taken out and set aside. 

More oil goes into the wok to heat up followed by the seasoning trio of minced garlic, minced fresh ginger, and chopped scallions. Fermented black beans are added to the seasoning trio and stirred in before adding the following seasonal winter vegetables: carrots, green bell peppers, mushrooms, and cabbage. 

Once the cabbage and carrots soften up, the flattened chicken is added back in and heated up with the vegetables. Just before serving, shaoxing wine is added in for flavor. 

This dish is best eaten steaming hot over rice. I love the distinct vegetable flavors that become even more pronounced with the black bean sauce. 

The flattened chicken curls in the wok when heated. There seems to be a lot of chicken in the black bean chicken, but flattening the chicken might make ¾ of a breast seem like twice that amount.

I like the flavor of salty, fermented black beans and the seasonal winter vegetables very much. This preparation also tastes good with shrimp. I am biased, but I think the seasoning trio of garlic, ginger, and scallions is pretty tough to beat for flavor and health. 

The black bean chicken with vegetables at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California is a very flavorful dish that makes excellent use of the organic produce in Salinas Valley. 

Chinese food lovers already know this is a tasty dish, but diners seeking a probiotic dish that is mildly flavored might enjoy trying black bean chicken with vegetables as well. 

Note: There is parking behind Golden Star Restaurant with a passage to Main Street where Golden Star Restaurant is located in Salinas, California. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games