We have just wrapped a few weeks of family visits, and it was, as always, a blast! My Mom was here for a couple weeks, and though we were sorry that my Dad didn't feel up to it, we were glad that she was able to come. It was her first time seeing her latest great grandchild, Evelyn. It has been a few years since she was able to see Mark & Anna, so they are like whole new people almost. And in addition to Mom, both the girls and their families, my sister and brother in law were also able ... Read More about Goat Cheese Spread with Tomatoes
Garden Fresh
Apple Ginger Green Smoothie
It is just the beginning of apple season here in Upstate NY. I know that a lot of people think only of the city when they hear the words "New York", but here where we live, there are way more cows than there are people, and LOTS of apples. NY is the second largest producer of apples in the United States, and we live just on the edge of the Finger Lakes, which is the most prolific apple growing part of the state. So - we got apples! There will no doubt be plenty of apple recipes appearing here ... Read More about Apple Ginger Green Smoothie
Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Zucchini
Full of fresh late summer veggies! I keep telling myself I have to stop putting zucchini recipes on here this summer, but then, the next thing I know, there is a plate of some sort of new zucchini thing sitting in front of my camera. It's like the zucchini are taking over everything - my garden, my mind, my blog, and most especially my dinner! I tell you - they are insidious! But today, I could not be more glad, because this is an absolutely fantastic meal. Ready in no time, it can be vegetarian ... Read More about Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Zucchini
Blueberry Ginger Buttermilk Cake
A lovely late summer cake! Alas, this will be the final blueberry post for the summer of '14. Not the last blueberry thing we'll eat, for sure. We freeze blueberries to use in the wintertime. They are equally good as the fresh ones in a cake like this. If you run across this recipe for Blueberry Ginger Buttermilk Cake later on in the year, don't hesitate to use frozen berries in it. But fresh ones are what we have today. A final picking that Larry did with his Mom the other day. Blueberry ... Read More about Blueberry Ginger Buttermilk Cake
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 minutes, ... 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 - and ... Read More about Kale Walnut Pesto
Creamy Vegan Zucchini Dill Soup
We are still on a zucchini kick around here. Nothing wrong with that as far as I can see. It's a good year for squash, with plenty of rain and nice sunny days in between. The tomatoes are wishing it were a little warmer, but squash doesn't mind that is has been cooler than normal. It makes the plants produce a little longer as well, because in warmer weather production speeds up which tends to wear the plants out more quickly. Not a problem this year. I have never understood the idea of getting ... Read More about Creamy Vegan Zucchini Dill Soup
Zucchini and Black Bean Quesadillas
I know a lot of people complain about how prolifically zucchini grows, and I might even make a joke about it every so often here on the blog, but honestly we do love it. You still might want to lock your car doors if you stop by and leave your car in our driveway for very long, though. Zucchini have minds of their own, and have been know to form little squads that somehow make their way to the back seats of the unwary visitor. And this is the time of year when people leave their dogs tied on the ... Read More about Zucchini and Black Bean Quesadillas
Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
There are a lot of advantages to having enough land to grow pretty much whatever you want to eat. We have tons of fresh veggies all spring, summer and fall, and now we're even starting to get some fresh fruit. We have room for a nice little flock of chickens who not only give us fresh eggs every day, but help keep some of the bugs and pests cleared out of the veggies. They have been running loose a few hours every day, till this weekend, when they discovered that there are some tasty little baby ... Read More about Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Chive Bacon Ranch Dressing
And Preparing for a New Part of Our Lives Things are really going to be changing here at Creekside at the end of the summer. After working since he was 14 years old, Larry is finally going to retire. Well, he's retiring from carpentry at least. As you will see, we have some big plans ahead - some things that we are really looking forward to. Retirement is not going to be what I would have thought it would be if you had asked me 20 years ago. Then I would have said that we would likely not ... Read More about Chive Bacon Ranch Dressing
Savory Chive Cream Cheese Scones
It is a quintessentially gorgeous summer day as I am writing this. Summer has definitely taken it's time getting here, and while I can't really say this weather was worth waiting for, because: "Summer, where the heck have you been?", but I am really grateful that it's here now. One of the things I am finding out day by day is what plants were lost in last winter's brutal weather. You hold out hope that a favorite plant is just late in emerging, but eventually you have to accept that a couple of ... Read More about Savory Chive Cream Cheese Scones
Brown Butter Rhubarb Cake
Rhubarb is definitely one of my favorite things in all the world, and this Brown Butter Rhubarb Cake is not the only reason. There are few things that are more rewarding to grow. Once established, it will continue to produce pretty much for the rest of your life. It is a big plant, but not unattractive, so it's not hard to find a spot for it, even in an urban setting. You have to give a couple years after first planting before picking very much, but after that, so long as you keep the flower ... Read More about Brown Butter Rhubarb Cake