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
Vegetarian
Beet and Horseradish Relish
Beet and Horseradish Relish is a fall treat Whether you have a garden of your own or not, this is the time of year for beets. Most Farmer's Markets will have a lot of them right now, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy them. Beet and Horseradish Relish is a perfect example. This relish is spicy, a little sweet and it hangs on to some nice crunch, even if you can it. The inspiration isn't new Though I learned a lot of canning from my grandma and my mom, this idea did not come from ... Read More about Beet and Horseradish Relish
Homemade Corn Tortillas
Homemade Corn Tortillas are simple and delicious I know that you can buy corn tortillas. You can always find those fried-into-a-U-shape ones with the Mexican food. The soft ones are often available in the refrigerated section of the supermarket. So, why would you make Homemade Corn Tortillas? Because you like yummy things. Because you like clean ingredients. But, mostly because they are so darned easy. The cost/benefit ratio weighs very heavily on the benefit side. Store bought corn ... Read More about Homemade Corn Tortillas
Southwest Creamed Corn
Southwest Creamed Corn - a savory treat There are few things better in the life of a gardener that the season's first ear of sweet corn. If you have a place nearby where you can get corn that has been picked the same day as you buy it, that is nearly as good. In either case, Southwest Creamed Corn can't be far behind for corn lovers. Creamed corn is not the same as 'cream-style' corn You can buy cans of 'cream-style' corn in any supermarket. But, if you look at the ingredients, there is ... Read More about Southwest Creamed Corn
Lemon Garlic Zucchini
Lemon Garlic Zucchini is a simple side dish We like simple meals in the summer. And with so many vegetables coming out of the garden, it's not hard to pull together a fast, easy supper. Lemon Garlic Zucchini is definitely a favorite. We are pretty big fans of zucchini, no matter how we get to cook it. There's Chai Zucchini Quick Bread, Zucchini Fritters and Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Zucchini - all good. But all taking considerably more effort than Lemon Garlic Zucchini. Busy days ... Read More about Lemon Garlic Zucchini
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad is perfect for summertime meals This Mediterranean Orzo Salad can be made hours up to a day or two ahead of when you plan to serve it. It keeps well, because of the oil and vinegar dressing. In fact, we like it better the next day. That is the beauty of a marinated salad. The dressing sinks into the ingredients and melds all the flavors together. This is a flexible recipe Though it's called orzo salad, you can use any pasta that you prefer. Orzo is nice and small, ... Read More about Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Berry Blast Almond Smoothie
Berry Blast Almond Smoothie makes a healthy breakfast I admit that breakfast has always been a struggle for me. Even when I was a kid, my mom had to force me to eat anything at all. I still feel the same way, and because I do intermittent fasting, I still don't eat very early in the day. That's where I appreciate this Berry Blast Almond Smoothie. I am always happy to have something that tastes like a fruity milkshake, you know? Protein for breakfast is a good idea But, probably just ... Read More about Berry Blast Almond Smoothie
Creamy Spinach Feta Soup
Creamy Spinach Feta Soup proves it's time for something green You know that springtime feeling when you start to crave something green? Something green and fresh and right out of the garden? A lot of time that is a salad or some kind of raw green vegetable, but it's a bit early for that. It's not too early for greenhouse spinach though, and while we don't have a lot yet, we had enough to make this Creamy Spinach Feta Soup. Creamy Spinach Feta Soup is perfect for this time of year It is ... Read More about Creamy Spinach Feta Soup
Easy Rhubarb Cake
Easy Rhubarb Cake is a family favorite It is rhubarb time here in the Northeast. I think everyone around us grew up eating rhubarb because it grows like a weed here. I should note that it is definitely NOT a weed. You have to plant it. But every old house in our small towns and every farm out in the country seemed to have had a nice patch of it against some corner or another. Easy Rhubarb Cake is an easy choice when we have lots of rhubarb. Rhubarb is very tart - not really edible all on ... Read More about Easy Rhubarb Cake
The Best Homemade Granola
This really is the best homemade granola There is a general perception that granola is a healthy breakfast option, but is it really? Pick up a box at the store, and what do you find? Lots of sugar, seed oils, soy and preservatives. I think we can do better, and my Best Homemade Granola is going to help. The other challenge with any granola, healthy or, not is the flavor. I think I have found a couple of ways to improve both the flavor and the quality of the ingredients. Better fats, a ... Read More about The Best Homemade Granola
Roasted Garlic Hummus
Roasted Garlic Hummus is one of life's great pleasures Ok, so it's not up there with getting married or landing your dream job, but Roasted Garlic Hummus is pretty close. Garlic is a favorite One of my husband's favorite things to grow is garlic. Once you get the basics down, garlic is quite easy to grow. And you plant it in October for harvesting in July of the following year, so it's out of the way as a chore when there is so much else that needs doing in the springtime. We have a huge ... Read More about Roasted Garlic Hummus
Easy Citrus Jam
Easy Citrus Jam brings in the sunshine Our winter has not been bad at all this year. For people who like to work with seasonal ingredients though, February in the Northeast can be a challenge. But Easy Citrus Jam fixes that! We can't grow citrus fruit outdoors ever up here in the Northern states, so this is one case where we have to rely on the seasonality of ingredients from other regions. I make no apologies for enjoying citrus fruit in the winter. It helps a person feel ... Read More about Easy Citrus Jam