Category: About Rita

About Rita, Chicken

High Roasted Slashed Chicken Thighs with Carrots & Cauliflower

It was a photo of chicken of the woods mushrooms from friends Charlene & Butch Castle that sent me into a bit of a frenzy regarding dinner.  Autumn is the time here for harvesting these eye-catching citrus colored mushrooms.They are delicious simply sauteed with aromatics, or dried for winter cooking. Gathering theses mushrooms is best done sooner rather than later.   So named because this … Continue reading High Roasted Slashed Chicken Thighs with Carrots & Cauliflower

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About Rita, Basil, Beets, Bible, garden, Herbs, Pasta, Produce, Salads

Gardening in Late Summer 

“A procrastinator’s guide to gardening in late summer”   was the subject of my chat with Matt Swaim on the Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio this morning. Here’s what we talked about – gardening outdoors and in from late summer on. Yes, you can still grow produce and herbs during the fall and winter season! Basically, what could I plant now in early September and … Continue reading Gardening in Late Summer 

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About Rita, Appetizers, Jams, jellies, Peppers

Some Like It Hot or Maybe Not

Our sweet and hot peppers are ripening faster than we can pick.  We’re out in the pepper rows every day gently twisting peppers from stems.  Time to get those peppers in my country kitchen to make hot & sweet confetti jam. You may know this time-honored jam as hot pepper jelly or Christmas jelly. (It’s the colored peppers responsible for the moniker). Hot pepper jam is … Continue reading Some Like It Hot or Maybe Not

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About Rita, Appetizers, corn, Mexican

Elote Style Street Corn Nachos

When I share recipes with you I usually have a photo of the finished dish to accompany it.  But today I thought it would be fun for you to see the genesis of the Mexican elote street pan nachos we made. It all started in our corn patch. Granddaughter Ellery and I picked corn together. Yes, it was humid and hot, but she was diligent … Continue reading Elote Style Street Corn Nachos

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About Rita, Beef, Bible, Dinners/Main Dishes, Uncategorized

Slow Cooked Pepper Steak

I like to keep you up to date on my gardens. Both my teaching herb garden and family vegetable gardens have gotten a boost from the much needed rain. And so have the weeds, which means I’ve been spending time happily tilling and hoeing between rows. How about you? Are you enjoying being more outside than in? If so, and you’re the cook, I think … Continue reading Slow Cooked Pepper Steak

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About Rita, Custard, Dessert

Ice Cream, Ice Cream, We All Scream for….Ice Cream!

As I write this column, the first day of summer is on the horizon. It won’t be long before July 4 gatherings celebrate our nation’s independence.  Back in the day, home churned, hand cranked ice cream was a staple on the summer entertaining menu. A much treasured ritual, especially on this meaningful holiday.  Today homemade ice cream doesn’t have to involve “elbow grease” to churn … Continue reading Ice Cream, Ice Cream, We All Scream for….Ice Cream!

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About Rita, Berries, Bible, Copy cat/cloned recipes, Copycat Recipes, Dessert, Father's Day, Holiday Recipes, Strawberries

Redo Frozen Strawberry Dessert

Today Matt Swaim, Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio, and I chatted about Father’s Day. Now Matt has a veggie garden and shared a photo of an amazing head of broccoli. So I thought to honor him and all dads I’d share again an iconic broccoli salad from a famous department store. Also I reworked the frozen strawberry dessert I shared a week or so ago. … Continue reading Redo Frozen Strawberry Dessert

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About Rita, BBQ, Beer, Bible, Father's Day

BBQ Ribs

Today Matt Swaim, Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio, and I chatted about Father’s Day and St. Joseph, Jesus’ Dad. I made a big “whoops” – saying to Matt that I didn’t realize Joseph was from the House of David. I meant to say “Mary” (Jesus’ mother) because when I researched her, her lineage wasn’t clear at first. Of course, when she married Joseph, she became … Continue reading BBQ Ribs

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