Tomato Shakshuka

What is Shakshuka? It’s eggs and tomatoes and a handful of greens and a combination of spices that is so warm and delicious, there is no dinner I can think of that better suits the waning light and heat of late summer. If you’re truly blessed, you’ve got tomato plants giving you a last burstContinue reading “Tomato Shakshuka”

Creamy Potato Salad With Fresh Herbs

Late June/early July is dig-the-potatoes season (or find freshly dug potatoes at your favorite farmers market). It’s also the season for picnics and potlucks and backyard eating. This recipe makes the most of fresh potatoes and fresh herbs with just a bit of mayonnaise (or a vegan substitute) to hold it all together. You’ll beContinue reading “Creamy Potato Salad With Fresh Herbs”

Asparagus and Greens Soup

As I write this in late spring/early summer, we have spring onions growing tall in one corner of the garden, our second planting of spinach is thriving, and our stand of kale is pretty as a picture. The asparagus is long-gone, but I can find some at my farmers market. I have a few jarsContinue reading “Asparagus and Greens Soup”

Skillet Chicken Dinner

When it’s busy, there’s nothing better than a one-pan meal that can be whipped up in less than a half-hour. If you dry Roma or cherry or grape tomatoes from your garden, this is a great way to use them. Plant parsley in a pot and move it inside in the winter to have freshContinue reading “Skillet Chicken Dinner”

Classic Chicken and Dumplings

I can only remember eating Chicken and Dumplings a few times as a child and my husband doesn’t think it was ever served at his table. But my kids love biscuits and this seemed a good variation on Chicken Noodle Soup. We typically roast a whole local chicken when poultry is on the menu. SoContinue reading “Classic Chicken and Dumplings”

Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing

When the lettuce is tender and the pea shoots are popping through the soil, the chives have appeared out of nowhere and the cilantro is inching upward, there is nothing better than snipping a bit of this and chopping a bit of that until there’s a plate full of goodness waiting for the right dressing to pullContinue reading “Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing”

Kielbasa, Corn and Potato Chowder

Potatoes are one of those vegetables that we keep in a box in our basement. Along with the butternut squash and sweet potatoes, the garlic and the onions, we save what we grow in our garden and when those run out, we buy in bulk from our farmers markets. So when the darkest days of winter arrive,Continue reading “Kielbasa, Corn and Potato Chowder”

Tangy Tomato and Cucumber Salad

This is a simple salad but oh-so-good. The pucker of the vinegar, the heat of the jalapeño, the cool of the cucumber and the sweet of the just-a-touch of sugar hit pretty much every taste sensation out there. There’s even a little soy sauce to curb your umami craving. In summer, when the cukes andContinue reading “Tangy Tomato and Cucumber Salad”

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

  This dressing is thick and creamy and best when it’s filled with fresh local herbs. It’s a more decadent, flavorful version than what you’ll find on your grocery store shelves. But that’s exactly why it’s worth making from scratch. Makes 2 cups Ingredients 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup buttermilk (I use a local dairy that bottlesContinue reading “Buttermilk Ranch Dressing”

Bulgur Citrus Salad

  No, we’re not quite in the salad days yet. But my body is craving fresh and the spring sun is shining its welcome warmth, so plenty of salads are on the menu. I am fond of bulgur, a grain made from the wheat kernel that has been parboiled, dried and cracked. Its starring roleContinue reading “Bulgur Citrus Salad”