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
There’s an old saying that there’s no language like the Irish for soothing. I’ll take it a step further and say the same about their food. St. Patrick’s Day and comfort food go hand in hand. Like Irish stew. Meat, root vegetables and broth form the base of a hearty, uncomplicated, nourishing peasant stew. I will tell you I’ve made this a couple of times and … Continue reading Comforting Irish Stew and the Best Soda Bread
The homes on my old country road are already getting decked out for the holidays. How about where you live? Yep, in a couple of days Thanksgiving will be a happy memory, so it’s time to think about special food for December holidays. For me, that means saving eggs from my girls/chickens since they’re molting and egg production is not peak. Lots of my favorite … Continue reading Creme Brulee? Yes You Can!
I was hoping to find some turkey wings at the grocery to make my do-ahead freezer turkey gravy (a flavorful gravy which can be used alone or added to turkey drippings). There weren’t any in the poultry case, but I did see some nice boneless pork chops on sale, so those went into my cart. My original thought was a simple dinner of fried pork … Continue reading Restaurant Style Sweet and Sour Pork/Chicken: Make it Yourself!
Today Matt Swaim of the Sunrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio, had a fun chat about the origin of monastery gardens. Genesis 2:8-10. “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden…” The ancient monastic community gardens were patterned somewhat after the Garden of Eden. Monasteries of ancient times were physically separated from the outside world by walls and roofed structures. They were laid out so … Continue reading Monastery Garden Herbs and Dipping Oils
As I was going through my notes from you, it dawned on me again that this site is a journal of sorts. Of your lives and mine. And it’s not just about food. In the process of cooking more and eating at home more during this pandemic, we’re realizing that eating together without having to rush out somewhere has its advantages. We’re continuing to be … Continue reading Strawberry Pie like Famous Restaurants
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve made these 2 Middle Eastern specialties. I grew up with tabouleh and hummus has been a standard on my table for decades. For Penny Thompson, an Anderson Township, Cincinnati, reader, who wanted to make both of these. As I always say, go to taste – nothing was measured back in the day…. Rita’s Family’s Hummus … Continue reading My own Hummus and Tabouleh
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without cranberries. And did you know how to tell if they’re ripe? Drop one on the counter – if it bounces, you’re good to go! Here are some treasured cranberry recipes. The first one, baked cranberries, is for Debbie. The others are for those of you who asked for them. And remember this little saying: CONTENTMENT: Is not the fulfillment of … Continue reading It’s the Berries – Cranberries, that is!
Today Matt Swaim and I chatted about apples on my weekly Bible Foods & Herbs segment on the Sunrise Morning Show. APPLES There’s been a debate for years about the “forbidden fruit” mentioned in Genesis, Chapter 3 where we learn about Eve tempting Adam with the only fruit they were not permitted to eat. Some scholars say it may not have been an apple at all, but … Continue reading The Apple and Adam & Eve, 3 Ingredient Apple Pie Cups and Why You Should Never Peel Apples…
I was really hungry for Pad Thai, that delicious Thai stir fry with rice noodles. Going through my recipes, I ran across a favorite from Jaime Carmody, Chef Proprietor of Out of Thyme Kitchen Studio in Symmes Township here in Cincinnati. It was from 2016! Seems just like yesterday that Jaime and I cooked together. I’ve adapted her recipe slightly. It’s worth buying small bottles … Continue reading Jaime’s Chicken Pad Thai
About Eating 