Have you planned your Thanksgiving dinner yet? At one time, the answer to that around here would have been "yes" - even if you asked me in July. That was because we had the same thing every year. It was hardly what you would call a bad thing either, because what we had was very good. Things are different now though. We are all getting more adventurous in our old age, not to mention the fact that I have recipes to test. It's awfully rough on the family to have to suffer through these trials, but ... Read More about Southwest Cornbread Dressing
Side Dishes
Margherita Roasted Potatoes
I'm working to get the last of our summer produce "put up" before it's too late. Kind of a bummer to have to interrupt my taking photos of pretty leaves and pinning things in Pinterest to can more tomatoes, but tomatoes won't wait! I try to also find as many ways as I can for us to enjoy the veggies we have while they are still fresh. Canned tomatoes are very welcome in January, but right now I want to enjoy them straight off the vine, and all the ones I can cram into meals now, are ones I don't ... Read More about Margherita Roasted Potatoes
Fresh Corn Fritters
Here in Upstate NY, this is really the best time of year for sweet corn. Nothing really compares to that first early corn that we crave so much after a long winter without it, but for the absolute best stuff, August and early September are when you find varieties that have the most flavor. Later varieties usually have ears that stay tender and sweet, even as they get huge - those are perfect for getting in the freezer for wintertime soups and side dishes. Just blanch them for a couple ... Read More about Fresh Corn Fritters
Kale Walnut Pesto
One thing that enjoys a cool summer is kale. Man, do we have kale! Usually, we have a lot of kale early in the summer, and then again in the fall, but this summer the spring kale never tried to go to seed, so it is still going strong. Every morning, when I go down to tend to the chickens, I make a detour through the garden to grab a handful of kale for my breakfast smoothie. Often we have it for dinner as well, and we are still overloaded. So, I wanted to find a way to use up a lot of kale ... Read More about Kale Walnut Pesto
Twice Baked Oven Home Fries
In my little hometown, back when we were in the last couple years of high school, and when we were all back home on college breaks, they still rolled up the streets by 7 or 8:00PM. If we got the munchies after dark, the only option was to run the 5 or so miles up the highway to "The Truckstop", which never closed. It was about the sort of place you might expect, with an interesting assortment of traffic coming off the highway, and a roughly equal number of locals. The truckers and other ... Read More about Twice Baked Oven Home Fries
Cheesy Quinoa Veggie Bake
Comfort food. What that means to us is probably dictated by where we grew up, what our families enjoyed and what we have come to love over the years. It's different for every person. I think that for those of us here in the States, and likely in other countries as well, macaroni and cheese is pretty universally considered to fall into the comfort food category. I know it does for me, anyway. But mac & cheese is carby and as we get older, carbs have an annoying habit of wanting to stick ... Read More about Cheesy Quinoa Veggie Bake
Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Brown Butter
It is a sad day when I finally have to buy Brussels sprouts in the store. We have finally run through all the of the ones we grew in the garden, along with nearly everything else left from last fall's harvest. We used up the last of the onions a week or so ago, and the potatoes were all gone awhile before that. This dish also used up our remaining shallots. If you grow a garden, you should definitely make room for some shallots because nothing makes you feel quite so much like a millionaire as ... Read More about Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Brown Butter
Carrots with Rosemary and Thyme
Are you like me? Have you so overindulged yourself over the past 2 weeks, that the idea of another cookie or rich whatever-it-is seems just too much? Not that the holidays weren't magnificent, because they definitely were. Friends, family, food, gifts, food, good times, togetherness, food. All wonderful in their abundance. But - enough, already. I need some veggies. Since we are in the middle of big winter storm, the garden is, of course, out of the question. So rummaging in the fridge, I ... Read More about Carrots with Rosemary and Thyme
Brussels Sprouts with Peppered Bacon
I know that there are plenty of dedicated Brussels Sprouts haters out there. I can see you, curling your lip and shuddering. But - don't go yet! If you are haunted by childhood memories of slimy little grey-green orbs of mushy sprouts - stay right here, and hear what I say - you have been mistreated by whoever tried to get you to eat them. Those Brussels sprouts? Those were your Mama's Brussels sprouts! Today, we are going to cook fresh Brussels sprouts and there is simply no comparison at all. ... Read More about Brussels Sprouts with Peppered Bacon
Crispy Zucchini Fritters
When we are having family over to eat in the summer time, Crispy Zucchini Fritters are the number one thing that they request. I've been making them for years, so it's not surprising that people wondered why I hadn't ever put the recipe on my blog. I finally got it on the old blog a couple years ago, and now I'm told I need to put on this one too, lest I keel over at an early age, and it be lost to all humankind, forever. We can't have that. Making these takes me back to the years when the girls ... Read More about Crispy Zucchini Fritters
Green Beans with Crispy Leeks
I know this is almost downright un-American, but I have to confess that I am not at all a fan of Green Bean Casserole. That's a bit of an understatement actually, but I hesitate to state my dislike in any stronger terms, lest I cause some real trouble among my friends here on the blog. Some people have such affection for this dish, that to insult it in any way, is akin to making a disparaging comments about someone's religious beliefs, or to insult their favorite politician. And, indeed, with it ... Read More about Green Beans with Crispy Leeks
Grilled Romaine Salad
Grilled Romaine? I have to admit that I didn't think up grilled salads all on my own. There are many versions out there, some more complicated, and many using different ingredients. I like to keep this to the most basic elements - fresh, crisp romaine, a flavorful vinaigrette and some salty cheese. Perhaps you haven't yet run across this idea yet, in which case, you might be thinking that I have lost my mind, but rest assured - grilling lettuce is not crazy! When you begin with a nice crispy ... Read More about Grilled Romaine Salad