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It is, in my view, the duty of an apple to be crisp and crunchable, but a pear should have such a texture as leads to silent consumption. — Edward Bunyard

Posted on February 11th, 2010

Oysters on the Half Shell with Apple Mignonnette

Pair oysters, long considered an aphrodisiac, with the sexy chocolate truffles on this blog for Valentine’s day. Or, for a playful winter feast, invite over a few fellow oyster lovers — only the most passionate. Shuck, giggle and slurp oysters from their shells, with your reserve nestled in bowl of snow. Long live live food!

Serve [...]

Posted on January 17th, 2010

Roasted Chinese Chicken

You’re going to like this juicy bird, which will perfume your kitchen with ginger and anise and arrive well-browned with hoisin glaze. It was born of loss.

My neighbor, Ruth, has spoiled me for eggs. After lifting them, still warm from their nests, then poaching them ten minutes later, all other eggs pale. But the supply [...]

Posted on January 3rd, 2010

Rich 'n Easy Black and White Truffles

These are extraordinary in their simplicity — fresh local cream mingles with the best chocolate you can find. I used Belgium Callabuat chocolate with cream from Highlawn Farm, where the vista is classic New England and Jersey cows bat their long lashes. I couldn’t find local butter, but the vanilla is aged in wooden barrels [...]

Posted on December 14th, 2009

Perfect Potato Latkes

You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy these honeys, which use local apples, parsnips, onions, sour cream and potatoes, if you can find them. (I had trouble, but don’t get me started.)

The parsnip adds a touch of earthy sweetness to the traditional flavor, and underestimated fresh apple sauce is always heaven sent. I use [...]

Posted on December 9th, 2009

U-Pick Best Fruit Kuchen

Little input, great results. This quick ‘n easy crowd pleaser is ideal for those who hate to bake or are pressed for time. Serve it to holiday guests or at pot luck meals. I especially like it for brunch.

Better yet, top it with whatever fresh, local fruit is in season. Yesterday I tripled the [...]

Posted on December 2nd, 2009

Weekday Chinese Cabbage 2 Ways

My mother-in-law called my husband half lace-curtain and half shanty Irish. He calls himself neither, but has an Irish passion for cabbage and potatoes, which I have learned to embrace.

Right now my house boasts both the giant Chinese cabbage used here and large glass crock with half-fermented multicolored sauerkraut with ginger and anise. I picked [...]

Posted on November 10th, 2009

Thanksgiving Turkey The Locavore Way

(From my new book, coming out in 2 weeks, The Locavore Way)

Try a real turkey this holiday, or anytime at all. Farm fresh turkeys are a different bird entirely from the standard factory farmed frozen turkeys, which are raised as quickly as possible in tight living quarters. They’re raised for their white meat and [...]

Posted on October 31st, 2009

Rice 'n Braising Greens

Rustic, country-style, comforting. In this simple dish, white rice serves as neutral companion to robust fall greens. Use any braising greens, such as collards, mustard, kale or a mixture. Turn it into a one-pot entree by stirring in a can of drained and well-rinsed pinto beans or black-eyed peas. Makes 4 large or 6 [...]

Posted on October 25th, 2009

Arugula, Beet and Blue Cheese Salad

Simple, classic and local — all from the farmers market yesterday. I roasted the beets while cleaning this morning, so they’d be ready to complete our dinner when we returned this evening. I hate to clean and tend to reward myself with food. The smells of simmering apple sauce or the happy longing for food [...]

Posted on October 11th, 2009

Wok and Toss Bok Choy with Buckwheat Noodles

Mark Twain said cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education, but he may have been talking about bok choy, who went to college in Asia. Baby Bok Choy, a variety of Chinese cabbage, offers eaters both silky mild greens and a crunchy cabbage with a subtle taste and excellent mouth feel. It is [...]