Photos by Janis Nicolay
Prop styling by Heather Cameron
Food styling by Nathan Fong
Container garden-fresh delights
An urban gardener proves you don’t need a huge plot to put home-grown edibles on the table
With wonderful plants such as lemon verbena, shiso (a Japanese herb related to basil and mint), five kinds of peppers and three strains of basil growing just steps from the kitchen, Nathan Fong’s balcony and terrace gardens are truly a cook’s dream come true.
Fong, a Vancouverite, loves having access to such variety, whether he’s cooking for himself or for friends. That’s why he says that having lots of fresh herbs and ingredients readily available most of the year is the biggest advantage to being an urban gardener. As a bonus, in Vancouver’s Zone 7 climate, Fong can enjoy a ready supply of hardy fresh herbs such as rosemary, bay and sage during most winter months.
Although Fong has made a name for himself as a food stylist, television host and journalist, it is his ability to grow in containers so much of what he uses in his cooking that caught our attention.
At his urban townhouse in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood, Fong has five outdoor areas that total about 1,500 square feet of growing and leisure space.
From a small balcony where he grows herbs to a larger rooftop terrace that can seat 10 for dinner, he uses these spaces to their maximum potential, growing no fewer than 30 edible plants.
These plants add a myriad of delicious flavours to his cooking, but they are also wonderfully decorative and transform each outdoor space into a fragrant and inviting oasis.
“I love to dine alfresco,” he says. “In the spring, I use my outdoor space for cocktails and then head inside for dinner. But in the summer months, the sun is hot and intense and heats up the patio on the roof nicely; many times we’ve stayed outside into the cool, late hours of the night with our toes warmed by the warm patio floor.”
**See our Container Basics Guide for tips on how to grow vegetables in tiny spaces.**
**Menu**
**Cedar plank grilled brie**
Drink match: Choose a light and fruity red such as Pinot Noir or, for a white option, a crisp, clean Sauvignon Blanc.
**Cold potato soup with lovage and smoked salmon**
Drink match: Try a slightly sweet white such as an off-dry Riesling. It will complement the smoked salmon and amplify the flavour of the lovage.
**Rosemary-orange tuna salad**
Drink match: Although the traditional rule is to drink white wine with fish, tuna is a meaty fish that stands up well to red wines. Try a Spanish-style red such as Rioja.
Grill-pressed rosemary & chicken panini
Drink match: An Italian beer such as Moretti will complement the flavours and style of this hearty sandwich nicely.
(continued below)
Be the first to comment on "Container garden-fresh delights"
Editor's note: This is a moderated forum, so your comments won't appear until approved by the moderator. Please help us foster a friendly environment by keeping your posts civil and on-point. We reserve the right to delete comments that include foul language, personal attacks on others, sales solicitations or any other inappropriate content. Posted comments reflect the opinions of the poster, not of gardeninglife.ca. Read our privacy policy for more information.