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If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart. — Cesar Chavez

Posted on March 2nd, 2010

Roasted Potato Wedges

My husband, Tommy, who at times I affectionately call “Mr Potato head,”kindled my passion for potatoes early in our 26 year marriage. Half Irish Catholic, half Irish Protestant, he grew up eating potatoes at every meal. These days, we often roast 5 pounds at a time for the two of us to keep on hand [...]

Posted on February 4th, 2010

Maple Milk

Back to basics this week: Two local ingredients in a mug — Warm Highlawn Farm milk with Ioka Valley Farm maple syrup to taste. Very soul satisfying.

Plenty of upcoming book events and signings, including one tonight (Friday) at the library in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts at 7 pm. If you come by, be sure to [...]

Posted on January 26th, 2010

Winter Shiitake Stew with Polenta

Here in New England where it’s been gray or white, white white, my breezy old kitchen seems to shake in the winter wind, and the supply of local fare is dwindling. So it’s time to winter forage, throw a log on the fire, crank up the Billie Holiday, and cook up a warming mushroom stew.

In [...]

Posted on January 12th, 2010

Kim Chi

Wake up winter! Now’s the time for fermented foods with their heady smell and stand-up-and-shout flavor. Good for the gut and dense with accessible nutrients, foods like sauerkraut and the kim chi here, extend the season when the ground is unyielding.

Preparing fermented vegetables is easy, and you can invent your own variations over time. Just [...]

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 24th, 2009

Whole Wheat French Toast with Apples, Maple Syrup and Cranberries

My challenge? With guests arriving and meals planned, forage the house for local bounty for a simple but festive breakfast. This French toast, using nutty whole wheat bread, and other household staples — local eggs, maple syrup, apples, cider, milk and regional cranberries — makes it easy. 2-3 servings, easily doubled

1 large egg
1 egg white
1/2 [...]

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 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 22nd, 2009

Simple Savory Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet potatoes create a smooth orange soup that is quick to prepare. The fire of cayenne pepper cuts their natural sweetness. The first version is inspired by Southern cooking, with its roasted peanut and scallion garnish. The second is seasoned with the Mexican flavors of lime and cilantro. This is a simple recipe, but feel [...]

Posted on November 21st, 2009

Bulgur and Shiitake Stuffed Mushrooms

I have this theory about men and stuffed mushrooms. They love ‘em. More importantly, these nostalgic treats make a stress-free Thanksgiving side, because they can assembled ahead, refrigerated, then cooked while the turkey is waiting to be carved. My local mushroom grower, fellow redhead Leslie Taft, sells dried shiitakes, which lend an earthy wildness to [...]