Bloody Marys: Garlic, Basil, & Peppercorn Infused Vodka

What’s the trick to elevating your Bloody Mary from good to exceptional? Garlic, Basil, & Peppercorn infused vodka, of course! I learned this trick while working at The Delta, in Portland, Oregon. Their Sunday Bloody Mary bar could win awards, and they always had a garlic infused vodka waiting to Continue Reading

New Dietary Guidelines…A step in the right direction?

Obama’s new dietary guidelines may be a step in the right direction, emphasizing increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and protein sources with a low ecological footprint. Sorry to those of you craving red meat and sugars-this administration is publicly stating that you should avoid these items! The new guidelines stress healthy Continue Reading

Whole Oven-Roasted Chicken

This oven roasted chicken came out mouthwateringly delicious and moist.  So excited about the final product, I didn’t even take a picture! It is a lengthy process and requires a lot of love, so beware!! Ingredients: 1 4-pound Organic Chicken 1 Orange 1 Lemon, halved 2 Onions 4 Garlic Cloves, Continue Reading

Sour Fermented Dill Pickles

Growing up, I’ve always ate tons of pickles. Delicious, sour, dilly pickles. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed a taste for fermented sour pickles. This recipe includes fresh fennel and fresh garlic, an addition that I think makes these pickles unique. I always look for small pickling cucumbers when I’m Continue Reading

Fava Beans with Bacon and Mushrooms

Pretty certain I could write a children’s book about how wonderful fava beans are. I love fava beans.  Not only do they have an amazing, nutty flavor and creamy texture, cooking with them is a labour of love. Taking the time to hull, blanch, and de-shell this amazing, nutty, spring time Continue Reading

Potato Bread Recipe

This is a dense, moist, delicious bread! Directions Mix 2 cups bread flour with ¼ cup oats, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, and ¼ cup fine grain polenta in a bowl. Boil 1.5 cups diced red potatoes until soft.  3 minutes before done, add 8 chopped, peeled garlic cloves and Continue Reading

Cast-Iron Roasted Chicken

Okay, so this one was a BIG experiment!  I wanted delicious, roasted chicken.  But I was feeling lazy.  But not SO lazy that I had to go buy food.  So here’s what I did. Ingredients: 1 cast iron skillet ¼ cup olive oil One leek 4 garlic cloves 2 lemons Continue Reading

Preserving the Harvest: Strawberries

I got my hands on a flat of strawberries and instantly knew that it was time for some preservation projects!! I froze the strawberries, made strawberry vinegar, and strawberry rhubarb jam. Yum! Freezing Strawberries  Slice off strawberry tops.  Lay strawberries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze Continue Reading

Apple Honey Challah

This is my second attempt at making this fantastic challah.  Last year it came out good.  This year it came out exceptional. I used Smitten Kitchen’s Apple Honey Challah Recipe but, of course, changed it a bit! Here is a combo blog with her recipe and my improvements.  *warning* this recipe involves three risings (one of which is overnight)! Continue Reading

Coconut Chicken Curry (with Kale)

My first time cooking with Coconut Milk=Huge Success. I’ve never used coconut milk before while cooking…and I’m totally sold. I’m in love. Ingredients 1 pound organic chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch squares 2-3 cloves garlic 1 tbs minced ginger 1 medium onion, chopped 1 can coconut milk 1/4 cup tomato Continue Reading