recipes

ideally a well-organized list of recipes.

truffle popcorn.

09/15/2011 | 2 Comments | Topics: snacks

We make jokes about our chickens eating fennel; we jokingly call it ‘chicken crack’. It isn’t a pleasant term, perhaps, but it aptly captures the chicken’s crazy frenzy when fennel comes knocking. We will put in a nub of fennel into a pile of old lettuce and bread, watermelon peels and corn husks. And they find the fennel: quickly. And then they run around like… oh boy: a chicken… [more]

Cherry Almond mini muffins.

08/22/2011 | 4 Comments | Topics: snacks

On our humble little urban farm we have a very, VERY large cherry tree. I gaze upon it frequently. Because it is so large—and hasn’t been pruned in many, many years—we cannot even reach the lowest branches with a standard ladder. (Ah: now ‘cherry picker’ makes so much sense!). When we moved in, I had no idea what type of cherries were going to dangle from its branches. Until… [more]

Sausage stuffed Bell Peppers.

08/16/2011 | 6 Comments | Topics: entree, food spotlight

Now that I teach classes on my [under construction] urban farm, I have a built-in excuse to play with seasonal produce. I recently had a group of women choose the ‘seasonal class’ which roughly translates to: what is piled high at nearby farmer’s markets? And quintessentially: what amount of fun can we have with these ingredients? My goal is to take unusual ingredients—such as zucchini flowers, ramps or garlic… [more]

basil simple syrup.

08/10/2011 | 10 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup

It’s like neon green on your plate and screams ‘fanciful.’ Yet, as with many of my kitchen ploys: basil simple syrup is quick & easy to make. Why bother? Basil syrup is brilliant on macerated strawberries or strawberry shortcake, and with any cobbler: maybe peach or plum? My sons use it for Italian sodas. They drink Mint Italian sodas—so why not Basil? BTW: this syrup is not super thick,… [more]

arborio rice pudding

06/26/2011 | 8 Comments | Topics: dessert

Though I have seen rice pudding with long-grain and basmati rice, I am committed to this arborio version. Just try it… you will know why. I have to say, after dipping my spoon a few-too-many-times into this dreamy pudding, the nostalgia hit me. My grandmother (who incidentally also loved canning, gardens, hummingbirds and apparently dreamy pudding) used to make a creamy rice for Sunday dinners. It wasn’t made with… [more]

feta beet salad with fig sherry vinaigrette.

06/14/2011 | 8 Comments | Topics: salad

I love having a go-to salad. What is yours? For the last year mine has been: tuna with arugula, olive oil and balsamic glaze, Parmesan and a few good grinds of pepper. Why I love it: it’s a combination of my favorite greens and healthy tuna—and a reminder of our year abroad in Florence, Italy. The tuna arugula salad has Tuscany written all over it… [more]

feta blue cheese spread with sweet wine reduction and pistachios…

05/25/2011 | 5 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup

Got your attention? This is one of those examples where I dine out, love the flavor of something and try to get the deep dive on ingredients. Will you ask the chef please? [So I can recreate it at home]? We have been home from our ‘year abroad’ for nearly a year. Last year, we left on May 18. Forever an anniversary of one of our greatest… [more]

Spotlight: Rhubarb.

05/19/2011 | 4 Comments | Topics: dessert, food spotlight, vegetables

Did you like rhubarb growing up? I didn’t. Though I find that to be true of quite a laundry list of foods: tomatoes, bell peppers, avocados, eggplant… now I love them all. I bought rhubarb the other day through my CSA; I opened the box and my eyes went straight to these long, deep-red stalks. Rhubarb is stunning—probably the envy of celery. Celery gets used more, to be sure. But… [more]

Fancy, summer water.

05/15/2011 | 10 Comments | Topics: libations

In my mind I hear the comedian, Jim Gaffigan (our family favorite) joking about ‘bottled’ water: ‘It’s more watery than regular water’ he remarks, as he forks over well-earned money for this bottled novelty. We mention him often in our day-to-day conversations, whether it is because we are eating bacon (yet again), cracking up about hot pockets or camping. Comedy is always welcome; we are… [more]

Pesto Pasta Salad & Pesto Spinach Salad.

05/12/2011 | 5 Comments | Topics: salad, starch

I hope you had a lovely Easter, Mother’s Day and my oh my: are you gearing up for graduation like we are? My son Caleb is on the cusp of exiting the 8th grade, crossing off each of these last days as ‘mission accomplished.’ It’s almost mid-May! I think May and October might be my two favorite months. October is the thick of fall, full of crisp days and… [more]