If you aren’t accustomed to shopping from local farms, the transition is…different. When you are a grocery store shopper, you can find a recipe, go to the store for your ingredients and get everything in one location. (Usually.) When practicing Seasonal Eating, you receive an ingredient, THEN figure out what to do with it. The…Continue Reading “How to maximize the Season’s Harvest”
A few years ago my husband and I started going to the farmer’s market every weekend. We had a new Puppy that needed to be socialized and I LOVE cooking so it was the perfect set-up. I learned how to eat in season and came to appreciate the value of fresh, local food. I, once,…Continue Reading “How to help local farmers while feeding your Family, too!”
Who doesn’t LOVE Red Bell Peppers? They are loaded with antioxidants, packed with Vitamins A & C and seem to be a great source of B6, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and folate. Did I mention that they taste AMAZING? Even non-veggie lovers can’t resist the sweet crunch of red bell peppers. Honestly, I’m not a…Continue Reading “Red Bell Pepper Dressing/ Marinade”
I don’t even remember the first time I heard of this fancy salad, to be honest. I always RUINED the name until I realized how incredibly easy it was to pronounce… Salad Nicoise??? Say it with me now…Salad Nee- Swaz. Salad Nee-Swaz. Salad Nicoise. See, easy peasy! What is Salad Nicoise? This delightful salad originated…Continue Reading “Farm Fresh Salad Nicoise”
Do you know the difference between a tomato and a tomatillo? People often mistake tomatillos for ‘green’ tomatoes but in fact, they deserve a category all of their own. Otherwise known as the Mexican husk tomato, this green, or green-purple fruit, originated in Mexico and was cultivated by the pre-Columbian people of Mesoamericans. It was…Continue Reading “Verde BBQ Sauce”
For some reason, our farmers always have a crop of cushaw squash right at the end of July. Cushaw squash has fall flavor reminiscent of butternut or acorn squash but with a touch of mildness. They are rather unique looking things. The skin is easier to peel than a traditional winter squash. Peeling them exposes…Continue Reading “Cushaw Squash, Corn & Pepper Soup”
Do you love beets??? It’s usually a resounding YES -or- an emphatic NO when people weigh in on their love (or, disdain) for beets. For some reason, people have an incredibly emotional reaction to this beautiful root vegetable. Probably more than any other veggie, to be honest. Well, I, for one, LOVE BEETS!!! Red,…Continue Reading “Strawberry Beet Salad”
Happy New Year!! January brings such inspiration for me. Not in the ‘I have to create a resolution and stick to it’ kinda way but, in the ‘okay, what has worked in the past year and what has not’ kinda way. I always seem to be reminded of the need to slow down and appreciate…Continue Reading “January is National Oat Month!”
Did you know??? January is national soup month. (Well, duh, right?) While I LOVE soup, I’m over here on a Ramen tear and I will NOT STOP until I have ‘mastered’ the art of the perfect bowl. I say ‘mastered’ because some ramen chefs dedicate their entire lives to finding the perfect harmony in a…Continue Reading “Butternut Squash & Tomato Soup”
Happy New -DECADE,- Y’all! Not sure about you but, it’s been one hell of an end to 2010’s over here. I’m not sure if the excitement from the holidays has me buzzing or if the promise of a new beginning is most intriguing but this January 1st finds me with hope and inspiration! Ushering in…Continue Reading “In Defense of my Obligatory New Year’s day post”