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 I was growing up back in the fifties in suburban Cincinnati, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. That was the day our family made the annual trek to Dayton, Ohio to visit relatives and to “decorate” graves of our ancestors with fresh garden flowers. Mom and dad piled us older kids in the back seat of dad’s Chevrolet and if I remember correctly, my … Continue reading A Story of Road Trips/Picnics in the 50’s and Broccoli Salads for Memorial Day
I t’s my fault that I didn’t have enough home grown strawberries to make a pie today. All because I allowed the little ones to pick ripe berries from my strawberry pots. Small hands discovering plump red berries among the leaves captivates their attention. They left with stained hands and happy smiles. So it was off to the grocery to buy more strawberries for this seasonal … Continue reading Restaurant Quality Homemade Strawberry Pie
Well, my friends, husband Frank is home after almost 2 months in the hospital, rehab, etc. I think he’s learned his lesson, though, about attempting to get on a ladder…..I was able to hang a few clothes out today – it was a perfectly sunny, breezy day. I feel so blessed to have him home and start to get back to “normal” – and that … Continue reading Getting Back to Normal: Clothes on the Line
Today on the Sonrise Morning Show Matt Swaim and I talked about butter and its Biblical history. I also am sharing a famous cookie recipe to make for Mother’s Day! BUTTER Proverbs 30:33: “As the churning of cream yields butter, and a blow to the nose causes bleeding, so anger causes quarrels.” Butter is one food item that has stood the test of time. During … Continue reading NIEMAN MARCUS $250 COOKIE REIMAGINED
During the spring our girls/chickens lay an abundant amount of eggs. One of the nests has been taken over by our little bantam hen. She wants to be a momma so is in a broody state, only leaving the nest for food and water. In the meantime there are still enough eggs to make frittatas for our annual Mother’s Day brunch. For those of you … Continue reading Mother’s Day Frittata
OK it’s nice to be back with you if just for a bit. As you may heard, my husband, Frank, had a very serious accident here at home and is now in rehab after almost 8 wks of back & frothing to hospital, rehab, etc. I wanted to share a recipe I talked about with Matt Swaim on the Sonrise Morning Show today. I don’t … Continue reading Flank/Flat Iron Steak with Garlic, Honey, Soy Marinade
Hello, friends, We’ve had some family challenges lately – my husband had a serious accident while working outside here on our little patch of heaven, so I’ve not had much time to devote to this site. He’s blessed with good care and a wonderful, positive attitude. Just wanted to update you and thank those of you who have reached out with prayers and kind words. … Continue reading Sorry it’s been a while
Lentils: They can be frugal or fabulous. We grew up with the frugal version: brown lentil stew on meatless days. Friend and cookbook author Triset De Fonseka uses red lentils in her Sri Lankan dals. I’ve enjoyed the fabulous, too, like pan roasted salmon on a bed of black/beluga lentils. Out of all the lentil recipes that folks make, though, lentil soup is at the … Continue reading Two Way Lentil Soup: Vegan or Not
Moist and Buttery Soda Bread\ I remember one St. Patrick’s Day in particular. I was a first grader at St. Margaret of Cortona School. Sister Justina asked me why I wasn’t wearing a green ribbon in my hair. “Because I’m Lebanese”, I replied timidly. The real reason, I suspect, is that Mom couldn’t afford to buy green ribbon for us 8 girls. Sister chuckled and … Continue reading Corned Beef & Cabbage, 2 Soda Breads, Champ for St. Patrick
About Eating 