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
As usual, on Thursdays, I chatted with Matt Swaim today and the subject was St. Blaise. He was a healer, especially for conditions of the throat. I thought it would be good to share a couple timely recipes now that we’re in flu and cold season (still!). The reason we have the blessing of throats on his feast day is when he was condemned to … Continue reading Warming Tea and Bone Broth
Today Matt Swaim, Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio and I chatted about yeast. For thousands of years, folks have incorporated yeast in making breads and drinks. Wild yeast still abounds today in nature on plants, fruits, etc. However, when we think of yeast we think of the dry packets of this actual living organism, which comes to life when it’s proofed in liquid. Here’s a … Continue reading No Knead Cranberry Nut Bread
From friend and colleague, Ron Wilson/ronwilsononline.com. A new study indicates a benefit to honey bees of local sunflower cropland. Even low levels of sunflower acreage nearby correlate with reduced Varroa mite infestation in managed colonies, researchers found, and supplemental sunflower pollen helps ward off the mites, as well. click below for article Continue reading Sunflowers Linked to Reduced Varroa Mite Infestations in Honey Bees
I was looking over requests from readers. One was for cranberry walnut bread (a reader bought this from the bakery during the holidays and wanted to learn to make her own). I was looking over requests from readers. One was for cranberry walnut bread (a reader bought this from the bakery during the holidays and wanted to learn to make her own). A couple of … Continue reading Healthier Oven “Fried” Chicken
I always love chatting with Matt Swaim each Thursday morning about Bible foods and herbs. Today we chatted about salt, and the Biblical roots of this common seasoning. Salt was mined from the Dead Sea during Bible days so it had all the good minerals intact. Today there are myriad kinds of salt – from regular to Kosher to naturally vivid colored salts, like green … Continue reading 20 Minute (or so) Marinara Sauce
Today on the Sonrise Morning Show, Matt Swaim and I were chatting about Pope Benedict XVI and the fact that we are mourning this beloved pope. We talked about some of his favorite foods of his homeland, Germany/Bavaria. (His mom, before she married, cooked in hotels so I imagine she brought some interesting recipes to both the hotels and her own kitchen). Here are some … Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI’s Favorite Foods
One ritual, so to speak, that I really enjoyed when we visited relatives in Germany, was their afternoon kaffeeklatsch. What’s a kaffeeklatsch? Basically, a mid-day gathering for comaraderie over cups of coffee and sweet bakery items. Now you don’t have to remind me how busy we all are during the holidays, but it seems to me carving a little time out in the afternoon for … Continue reading An Iconic Coffee Cake
I can’t tell you how happy I am to share a very special recipe from one of the most talented chefs on the planet. Yes, the planet. I’m talking about Bob Snead, former chef at one of Cincinnati’s 4 star restaurants, The Heritage Restaurant. It has been closed for a long time and the historic building in Plainville, Ohio is home to a popular brewery, … Continue reading Restaurant Quality White Chocolate Mousse
I was reminded brisket weather is here from daughter-in-law, Jessie, who served a delectable, fall-apart beef brisket last week. “It’s your recipe,” she said. That brisket with red gravy was mouthwatering, really, served alongside buttery mashed potatoes. But true disclosure, it wasn’t my own, but one which a Jewish friend gifted me with years ago. This recipe may sound strange to some of you, especially … Continue reading Three More Brisket Recipes
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