I was going through my bread files (yes, I still have recipes typed on paper) trying to decide which ones I no longer use. Space is a premium in my office. Well, guess what I ran across in that file? A recipe I had been meaning to try for a long time but had forgotten about. It’s yeast bread made in a food processor. … Continue reading Food Processor Yeast Bread: Easy to Make
Sometimes the simplest meals are the best. I was reminded of that yesterday evening, when I was simmering elderberries with aromatics for elderberry syrup, a soothing medicinal. The elderberries had to infuse slowly, and that required tending. So what to fix for dinner? I had spicy Italian sausages in the refrigerator and butternut squash from the garden. And plump red onions in the basement … Continue reading Sausage, Squash and Red Onions (and a side of Farro)
“Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, pease porridge in the pot 9 days old.” My garden peas have pushed through the soil, still tiny but looking strong. For some reason, that childhood rhyme came to mind, so indulge me! Peas are really a lovely seasonal vegetable, so when they’re abundant, peas are in my meal rotation a lot. These legumes are good for you, too. … Continue reading Spring Stir Fry: DIY Universal Stir Fry Sauce
Photo credit kitchn.com Today, Matt Swaim from Sacred Heart Radio’s Sonrise Morning Show and I talked about the upcoming All Saints and All Souls Day and how they relate to a secular Halloween. When was All Saints Day first instituted? Lots of legends abound about the beginning of All Saints Day. From what I can gather, though, way back in the 800’s the Pope … Continue reading Chorizo Nachos with Homemade White Queso
I was getting ingredients out of the pantry to make a batch of one hour yeast rolls for dinner, when Oliver Phillips, my 10 year old neighbor, called. Oliver wanted to come over and “make something”. So he and I made the rolls together. I let Oliver do the measuring and mixing. “Does this seem hard to you?” I asked. “Not at all,” he said. … Continue reading 1 Hour Yeast Rolls – Yes You Can!
Ron Wilson, Garden Guru for Natorp’s and Host of “In the Garden” on WKRC 55 radio here in Cincinnati, always keeps me update as to what I need to do outside. It has been HOT and DRY on my little patch of heaven. How’s it been on yours? Ron says: Keep watering as needed. General rule of thumb for established plants and turf is 1 … Continue reading Garden and Lawn Tips for Hot Summer Days
When we were kids way back in the 50’s, Earth Day as a celebration was not yet in existence. But Arbor/Tree Planting Day was. During the last week in April, neighborhood schools distributed tiny redbud saplings, small enough to carry home wrapped in wet newspaper. At our home, Dad planted those tiny specimens in the side yard, and they thrived. Red bud trees are still … Continue reading SALAD GARDENS FOR EARTH DAY
One thing I have in common with colleagues writing weekly food columns is a deadline. Some weeks that deadline looms large, arrives way too fast, and the topic nebulous at best. I’m blessed, though, to have readers inspire me, sharing food thoughts, recipes and opinions. My goal has always been that I want you to feel like we’re side by side in the kitchen, or … Continue reading Whole Orange & Currant Muffins
I so enjoy chatting with Matt Swaim on the Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio. Today we talked about mustard! Yes, there’s a passage about mustard in the Bible. MUSTARD We’re all familiar with: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed….Matthew 13:31“… Yes, the Romans made the first “mustard” by grinding the seeds into a paste and the Greeks used in both medicinally and … Continue reading Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
You’ve heard me say before that it doesn’t take much to please me. Like watching our neighbor, Josh, spread a layer of “black gold”/aged horse manure on our tilled vegetable gardens. Ready for planting! Coinciding with prepping the gardens is a spring inventory of the pantry staples in my heirloom pie safe. Enough air circulates through the punched tin door panels to keep jars of preserved … Continue reading Best Pantry Pasta Sauce
One thing I have in common with colleagues writing weekly food columns is a deadline. Some weeks that deadline looms large, arrives way too fast, and the topic nebulous at best. I’m blessed, though, to have readers inspire me, sharing food thoughts, recipes and opinions. My goal has always been that I want you to feel like we’re side by side in the kitchen, or … Continue reading Whole Orange & Currant Muffins
It’s interesting that in observing Lent, those of us who are Catholic, remember that this is also the time to give alms – donate to our church community if we can. Here’s some fun recipes that you can make at home and are perfect for Lent. By using some leftovers you can create another, tasty meal, and hopefully give what you save. Check out the … Continue reading Waste Not Want Not and Give Alms
It has been many decades since I woke up at 3 AM to feed an infant. But that’s just what I did a few days ago. The infant, named Aggie, was a 4-legged babe. A day old “bottle” lamb carried by neighbor, Erin Phillips, to my kitchen door. This gentle lamb was abandoned by its mother, who went into premature labor during a coyote attack. Erin … Continue reading St. Patrick’s Day Faves: Corned Beef & Cabbage, Buttery Soda Bread and a Bottle Lamb
Last week I found myself mesmerized at the overwhelming variety of pizzas in the frozen pizza aisle at the grocery. From thin crust to thick, classic pepperoni to spinach artichoke, and everything in between. That’s when I decided to share recipes for an easy, homemade pizza sauce and fool-proof dough.They use wholesome, customizable ingredients and take a whole lot less freezer space than boxed pizzas. … Continue reading Homemade Pizza
Regardless of what you call it, Stromboli or pinwheels, layering pizza dough with cheeses and meats if you like along with herbs and greens is what we call supper. And an easy one, too, since you can make your own pizza dough or purchase it. Today Matt Swaim and I chatted on the Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio, about cheese. Yes, cheese was an important … Continue reading Stromboli/Savory Pinwheels
I did not grow up eating much fresh fish. Mostly we had frozen whiting, thawed and fried crisp in mom’s heirloom cast iron skillet, canned salmon made into diner-style patties or what we kids called “tuna wiggle”, baked canned tuna and noodle casserole. During summer, our brother, Charlie, an avid fisherman, would occasionally catch enough bass for mom to stuff and roast. So it wasn’t … Continue reading Perfect Pan Roasted Salmon – Yes, You Can!
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