Indian Butter Chickpeas for Lent

Have you heard the old saying about being a day late and a dollar short? Well, that’s just how I felt this week when it dawned on me that I was way overdue in tapping our maple trees. We usually tap them in early February when the wild yellow aconite blooms on our hillside bordering the East Fork river. That gives plenty of time to … Continue reading Indian Butter Chickpeas for Lent

Waste Not Want Not and Give Alms

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

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

Two Way Lentil Soup: Vegan or Not

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

Comforting Irish Stew and the Best Soda Bread

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