Applesauce Quick Bread- fast and delicious This time of year is all about getting the last of produce and fruit put up for winter. So, it's a busy time, but we still like to enjoy a bit of sweet goodness right now. That is when a fast, easy recipe like Applesauce Quick Bread comes in handy. Apples are everywhere right now We have lots of apple trees on our property - both wild and ones that we planted. We made cider for apple cider vinegar a few weeks ago. Applesauce is always another way ... Read More about Applesauce Quick Bread
Fruit
How to Cook a Fresh Pumpkin
Cooking a fresh pumpkin for baking - it's easy! We are getting into fall here in Upstate NY, and for many of us, that means pumpkins. No - not pumpkin lattes! Real pumpkins out in the garden. They'll keep for a while, but not forever. So, knowing how to cook a fresh pumpkin is a good skill to have in your repertoire! Better than canned from the store You can certainly use canned pumpkin from the store. But we like to be self-reliant. Often fresh pumpkins are on sale through September and ... Read More about How to Cook a Fresh Pumpkin
Banana Oat Bread
Banana Oat Bread is amazing - and easy! Whenever we have our family with kids visiting, they have this habit of leaving bananas behind. It's kinda weird, I admit, but it seems to happen more often than not. But here's the thing - we don't care for bananas. Neither of us is ever tempted to eat a banana - not even a little bit. BUT - we do like baked stuff with bananas and that is where Banana Oat Bread comes in handy! Bananas are perfect for baked goods Bananas kind of disappear when you ... Read More about Banana Oat Bread
Apple Ginger Green Smoothie
Apple Ginger Green Smoothies are my Favorite for fall We are starting to see a lot of apples becoming available in our area, and I'm willing to bet that you are seeing the same thing. That makes Apple Ginger Green Smoothie a natural breakfast for this time of year. Apple season everywhere We live at the edge of the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY which is prime real estate for growing apples. There are orchards as far as the eye can see, just a few minutes from our house, so apples are ... Read More about Apple Ginger Green Smoothie
Seedless Blackberry Jam {no pectin recipe}
Seedless Blackberry Jam doesn't use pectin This lovely Seedless Blackberry Jam, just has three ingredients - blackberries, sugar and lemon juice. Why not use pectin? I don't use pectin in any of my jams or jellies. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, using pectin means using more sugar. Pectin requires a higher percentage of sugar to set, and I don't care for that sweeter taste. It mutes the fresh flavor of the fruit. Pectin can also be tricky to use. I belong to several ... Read More about Seedless Blackberry Jam {no pectin recipe}
Blueberry Margarita
Blueberry Margaritas are great summer fun We're kind of at the tail-end of blueberry season, but there are still some left to pick. One great thing about blueberries is that you can freeze them. In just about any application, frozen blueberries will work just as well as fresh.There's a reason I tell you that. You might find this recipe in Februrary. The 22nd of February is Margarita Day after all. In February, you might not be able to find fresh berries. But I've got you! But, right ... Read More about Blueberry Margarita
Lemon Blueberry Sherbet
If it's too hot to bake, Lemon Blueberry Sherbet makes a great dessert We're in what you might call the dog days of summer. Hot, humid and unrelenting. The tomatoes love it, sweet corn loves it, but after a few weeks, people get a little tired of it. That is where Lemon Blueberry Sherbet comes in. Because the blueberries also love these hot humid days and they are ripening like crazy right now. Start with a simple syrup Lemon juice is added to a combination of water, sugar and cornstarch. ... Read More about Lemon Blueberry Sherbet
Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler is a special dessert There are many peach cobbler recipes floating about the internet. They often seem to use ingredients like canned peaches, peach pie filling and refrigerator biscuits. I won't say that they are terrible by any means. I've even made them myself when I was in a hurry. But this version of Peach Cobbler is the quintessential summer dessert. Fresh peaches and homemade biscuits I would be the first to admit that this is a bit of a project. Fresh peaches need to ... Read More about Peach Cobbler
Blueberry Lime Crisp
Blueberry Lime Crisp is everything you love in a summer dessert We are just getting into the start of blueberry season here in Upstate NY. I'm sure that means some of you have had ripe blueberries for a while now. Blueberry Lime Crisp is an ideal way to enjoy them. Even if you happen upon this recipe in the off season, no worries. Blueberry Lime Crisp is also very good made with frozen blueberries. Frozen berries actually work nicely in just about any recipe that uses fresh berries. ... Read More about Blueberry Lime Crisp
Summer Fruit Galette
Summer Fruit Galette is an easy-peasy summer dessert As someone who doesn't have AC, I don't turn the oven on very often in the summer. But this Summer Fruit Galette is a reason to look for that one cool day in July. But the galette is only part of it. Summer fruit is the main reason - there is so much to choose from this time of year. What is the best summer fruit for this galette? That is easy to answer. Whatever fruit you have in your area this time of year. We're at the tail end of ... Read More about Summer Fruit Galette
Fresh Cherry Muffins
Fresh Cherry Muffins are a sweet summer flavor Right now, sweet cherries are at their peak and at the best prices all year. So Fresh Cherry Muffins are a must-have! We don't have AC, so it is a pretty big deal for me to turn the oven on this time of year. These muffins are worth it though. It is a busy time of year You don't want to be fooling around in the kitchen for a long time when there is so much else to do. Me either, which is why there aren't as many photos in the post as I ... Read More about Fresh Cherry Muffins
Blueberry Sugar Doughnut Muffins
Blueberry Sugar Doughnut Muffins are the best of summer baking The blueberries are just beginning to ripen here in Upstate NY. If you're in a warmer part of the country, you've probably had them for a few weeks by now. These Blueberry Sugar Doughnut Muffins are one of my favorite things to bake with blueberries. Lemon and Blueberries are a match made in heaven Lemon brings out the very best blueberry flavor. Blueberries have varying degrees of sweetness, especially when freshly ... Read More about Blueberry Sugar Doughnut Muffins