I was looking for something to complement a fall soup when I came across this keeper. It instantly appealed: the pumpkin would add moisture to the cornbread and the corn meal would temper the sometimes-too-sweet of the pumpkin. Which is exactly how they came together. Toss in the honey for a more flavorful, healthful sweetener. Use a gluten-free flourContinue reading “Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins”
Author Archives: christinanifong
Roasted Figs with Honey and Cheese
I have eaten and enjoyed fresh figs but never cooked with them. When I happened upon some local figs, I got busy researching. Here’s my takeaway: You want your figs to be really, really ripe. If you’ve never tried them, think grapes. You eat the skin and all, and they have something of a sweet-but-muskyContinue reading “Roasted Figs with Honey and Cheese”
Not-Too-Sweet Pumpkin Bread
Every fall, I roast, puree and freeze several farmers market pumpkins (we’ve never had much luck growing our own). So pumpkin bread, pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin soup are all, always, just a trip to the deep freeze away. You can certainly use canned pumpkin in this recipe and save yourself a few steps. Along withContinue reading “Not-Too-Sweet Pumpkin Bread”
Flavors of Fall
As I’ve been preparing to teach my class on cooking fall fruits and vegetables at the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op this weekend, I can’t help but contemplate: What is it about fall’s flavors that make us swoon so? Is it the brief time they’re in the spotlight? The nostalgia that comes withContinue reading “Flavors of Fall”
Thai Butternut Squash Soup
I’ve tried many butternut soups over the years. There’s a three-sisters version, a Mexican variety, those that pair winter squash and apples. But my favorite, the recipe I’m searching for every fall, is one that heightens the sweetness of the squash and pairs it with the Trinity of Thai cooking — fish sauce (made of anchovies andContinue reading “Thai Butternut Squash Soup”
Cookbook Review — 100 Days of Real Food: Fast and Fabulous
When I flip through Lisa Leake’s second cookbook, “100 Days of Real Food: Fast and Fabulous,” I can’t help but think of my own kitchen, my own cooking and my own website’s stash of favorite recipes. Like in Lisa’s house, there are no natural flavors in my cabinets, my family knows which snack crackerContinue reading “Cookbook Review — 100 Days of Real Food: Fast and Fabulous”
Asian Rice Noodle Salad
This is the salad that I’m always ogling when I head to potlucks. But I’ve never tried making it on my own for fear that I couldn’t pull off a real food version that would satisfy. Thankfully, Lisa Leake, author of the 100 Days of Real Food blog and cookbook, has crafted one for me. ThisContinue reading “Asian Rice Noodle Salad”
Magical Metalwork
I recently posted about Virginia’s rapidly expanding Artisan Trail Network. It was an piece about why these trails are important and how to use them. But I have so much more to share from my time on the Smith River, Monticello and HeART and Soil of the Shenandoah Valley trails. So today, a longer look at one artisan studioContinue reading “Magical Metalwork”
Encountering Art
This week, I want to let you in on a little secret: The corner of Virginia that I live in, the one with rolling mountains and gorgeous sunsets and dozens of shades of green, well, it boasts some incredible artisans as well. I’m talking time-honored blacksmiths and renowned potters, award-winning brewers, cutting-edge vintners. Yes,Continue reading “Encountering Art”
Blue Cheese Herb Spread
I love having an easy app on the table when hungry hubby and on-their-way-to-cranky kids all pile into the kitchen at the end of the day. I typically have a good half-hour of cooking left when this convergence occurs, but with a plate full of pesto cheese straws or a fresh batch of salsa at the ready, IContinue reading “Blue Cheese Herb Spread”