I always forget how long it takes to grow a good tomato. The first ones begin blushing sometime at the end of June, if you’re lucky. But it’s usually well into July before the bounty arrives. And when I look back, it’s typically August or September when we can our dozens of jars of marinara. That’sContinue reading “Time for Tomatoes”
Author Archives: christinanifong
Garden Ratatouille
I did not grow up eating ratatouille, but it’s one of those dishes I’ve been making for as long as I’ve been raising my own veggies. It’s a great way to toss your garden into a cast iron pot and call it dinner. Once you’ve chopped all your ingredients, you’re pretty close to done. But, ahhh, thatContinue reading “Garden Ratatouille”
Gazpacho
As much as I love my chilled cucumber soup, you’d think I’d be a long-time fan of gazpacho. But, in truth, not so much. There are so many ways to stir up tomatoes that I’d never felt compelled to turn them into a cool dinnertime slush. But the heat this summer has made me reconsider.Continue reading “Gazpacho”
Cucumber Heaven
It’s been a few weeks now, since my husband stepped outside to our verdant, twining cucumber vine, covered with sunshiny yellow petals and a healthy dose of meandering bees, and proclaimed that it wouldn’t be long till we were in Cucumber Heaven. By that, he meant that we’d soon be reaching the height of our cucumber harvest,Continue reading “Cucumber Heaven”
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”
A Midsummer Night’s Meal
Let’s pretend I have all the time in the world to create sumptuous feasts. And all the resources in the world to gather up the tastiest ingredients. In this fiction, I wave my wand and on the table every night fantastical, incredibly delicious multi-course meals appear. My reality, of course, is quite different. Cooking is hard, time-consumingContinue reading “A Midsummer Night’s Meal”
Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies are among my most requested — both by my own kids looking for a favorite lunchbox treat and by friends who taste them and then want the recipe. A basic recipe (no chocolate or other fancy add-ons), the proportions create a cookie that is crunchy and flavorful. For the best results, choose a peanut butterContinue reading “Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies”
Bacon Gruyere Quiche
I have made my peace with quiche as a family dinner. Me? I love spinach quiche, or maybe a simple cheddar pie topped with tomatoes, gosh, I’d even choose mushrooms, onions, peppers and zucchini to stir in with my cream and cheese and crust. But nooooo. When I make such delicacies I get major pushbackContinue reading “Bacon Gruyere Quiche”
Flowers for Dinner
It’s been a disappointing zucchini year. Nothing like last year’s plenty that left me begging for mercy. But that’s okay. My dad sent me packing back in June with a bag full and my local farmers market tables are groaning with zukes. I feel certain that if I asked around, a few of you mightContinue reading “Flowers for Dinner”
Lemon Balsamic Dressing
I am always looking for tasty dressings to drizzle atop my garden veggies. I make a mean Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, a lovely Poppy Seed Dressing, a tangy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette and a garlicky Ginger Sesame Dressing. But for the cukes and carrots and one last leftover beet that wound up in this week’s salad, IContinue reading “Lemon Balsamic Dressing”