Fresh herbs are a necessity for any cook. I have a variety of favorites that I keep just outside of my kitchen door in big pots. Just a couple of extra minutes and a pair of kitchen shears (a must have kitchen accessory) and I have fresh, tasty herbs fresh from my garden for cooking. [...]
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Always a classic… Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; [...]
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Potato salad is a Southern staple in the Summer for picnics and BBQs. And who doesn’t love a good dill pickle as part of their Summer feast? Dill is, personally, one of my favorite flavors and herbs. This salad combines my love of roasted potatoes and dill. I use a colorful fingerling potato variety that [...]
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It is early Summer and luscious, sweet strawberries are ripe for the picking. Since strawberries are my favorite fruit it makes sense that Strawberry Shortcake is my all time favorite dessert. I happily purchase it at restaurants in all its various styles this time of year. There are numerous ways to spice up a strawberry [...]
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I am fascinated with heirloom seeds and vegetables. There are so many vast and unique varieties just waiting to be loved and tasted. In particular, I’ve been fascinated with Christmas Lima Beans since I saw them on the cover of Barbara Kingsolver’s enlightening book, Animal Vegetable Miracle. The stunning red and white beans aren’t as [...]
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My favorite styles of food in the world are American Southern and Italian. I spent a month in Italy roaming the streets and taking a cooking class here and there. I learned to appreciate the art of simple ingredients that speak for themselves, particularly when using fresh herbs from the garden. This dish combines some [...]
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Happy Summer Solstice to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere (for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere you may find this post more helpful in 6 months). As we start our long journey into Summer we begin our months long battle with pesky, biting insects. I’ve been reading-up on this topic and have some chemical [...]
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This simple chicken salad has just enough sweetness to offset the saltiness and texture of the succulent roasted chicken. Celery, Cranberries and Toasted Walnuts give it the appropriate amount of crunch, chewiness and texture. This is an easy dish to make in advance and snack on for many days over a long holiday weekend. This [...]
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My first ripe tomato of the summer has arrived, and only two days before the Summer Solstice. I am beyond excited! Don’t be fooled by its orange coloring. This small cherry tomato variety, Sun Gold, is ripe when it is an orangey-yellow. It has become one of my favorite tomato varieties in my garden over [...]
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My father has blessed me with… A true and absolute love of gardening and nature. A walk in the woods with my Dad is always something special. He knows the woods, the land, the flora and fauna, and animals so well that every walk is a learning experience. He knows the vines of various wild [...]
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