One of the best things about belonging to your local Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA) is how quickly the season gears up -- and how big your box of veggies gets.  Our first few distributions of the summer season are teasers. Just yesterday, we got eight sprigs of basil -- yet the smell was … Continue reading Spring Pasta Salad with Aparagus, Spinach, and Mint
Grilled Pizza with Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, and Brandied Figs
At the beginning of last summer, we decided to abandon our patio as a dining room. Â We had the obligatory table and chairs outside and never ever sat there. Â Because the patio is right spanking next to our eat-in kitchen, it just always seemed so pointless to lug all of our food outside. Â And then … Continue reading Grilled Pizza with Asparagus, Caramelized Onions, and Brandied Figs
Whole Wheat Macaroni and Cheese
It's only been recently that I have been able to crack open a box of mac and cheese and cook it for my kids. Â I've always had to make it from scratch with soy cheese/soy milk because my daughter was severely allergic to dairy (which she has thankfully outgrown). Â And somehow when you get used … Continue reading Whole Wheat Macaroni and Cheese
Fried Tofu: Chicken Style and Buffalo. Yes, Buffalo.
Like many people right now, we are cutting back on our meat consumption.  And when we do eat it, we now spend our "meat dollars" (wow, that sounds gross) on responsibly raised and locally produced animals. Clearly, ethical issues and environmental impacts have led us down this path. I absolutely cannot justify having cheap, feedlot … Continue reading Fried Tofu: Chicken Style and Buffalo. Yes, Buffalo.
Banana Honey Caramel Ice Cream with Salted Tuile Cookies
So, this was the week when everyone in my family decided they didn't like bananas -- and I was left with four sitting in the fruit bowl (Bananas, that is. Â Not family members.). Â Of course, the natural inclination is to make banana bread. Â Or more likely, the natural inclination is to pitch them. And even … Continue reading Banana Honey Caramel Ice Cream with Salted Tuile Cookies
Agave-Sweetened Chocolate Cream Pie
So I have been entertaining like a madwoman lately. Â It seems that once spring hits, the pace of life quickens even beyond its normal speed. Â Family comes back north, end of the year activities are rolling, and we all climb out of winter's woodwork and feel more free to invite friends over on a whim. … Continue reading Agave-Sweetened Chocolate Cream Pie
Paella
Some of my best memories growing up are placed around the dinner table. Â Beyond that, I will say that the wonderful ritual of food expanded my world in many directions. Â There was no reason, in Pennsylvania in about 1980, that I should have been eating things like Moussaka or Paella, but I did. Â We had … Continue reading Paella
Shredded Beef Soft Tacos
Not sure about you, but pork just doesn't sound that good to me right now. Â I know, I know ... if you cook your pork to 160 degrees, it is fine. Â But that leads me to ask... what happens if you don't cook your pork to 160 degrees? Â Because I rarely cook it that hard, … Continue reading Shredded Beef Soft Tacos
Lamb Tikka Masala with Brown Basmati Rice
In the middle of Pennsylvania, we fight hard for spring. We endure a long winter that only reveals itself in shades of black and white (and sometimes brown) -- so when I start to see the mint sprouting up in my backyard, I become a happy person. Â Mint is a crazy perennial grower -- plant … Continue reading Lamb Tikka Masala with Brown Basmati Rice
Rustic Ham, Bean, and Spring Green Soup
Our spring this year has been very dreary. Â And cold. Â And cloudy. Â Actually that is pretty typical, I think. Â We get one sunny day and I am nearly manic -- excited to exercise and clean and parent with limitless energy. Â But then we have to endure at least three cloudy and cold days because of … Continue reading Rustic Ham, Bean, and Spring Green Soup