Chicken Piccata

  This lovely dish was our Christmas dinner last year. It was flavorful, but not heavy, fancy but not fussy, with the added advantage of offering a simple chicken tender and pasta option for the pickiest eaters at our table. Serves 6 Ingredients 2 large lemons 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded to 1/4 inchContinue reading “Chicken Piccata”

Basic Meatballs

Meatballs are a staple in our kitchen. Whether served as a complement to roasted vegetables, atop spaghetti and mixed with marinara or stirred together with a sweet and sour sauce, they are a versatile and easy dinner, beloved by all. We have, over the years, tried many recipes: Swedish meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, Asian meatballs. ButContinue reading “Basic Meatballs”

Giving Chestnuts Another Go

My first encounter with a chestnut was in my friend’s backyard. She and her family have a beautiful chestnut tree whose branches reach across their whole lot, providing shade and climbing for her three boys — even supporting a swank treehouse. So when I asked if she might have a few extra nuts for meContinue reading “Giving Chestnuts Another Go”

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones

  In my quest to enjoy all the pumpkin I process and freeze every fall, I am always searching for new recipes. This one crossed my computer a few months ago and has since become a hit. The scones are hearty and earthy and the chocolate chips give them just a hint of decadence. Recipe inspired byContinue reading “Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones”

Celebrations

  Thursday is Thanksgiving — a time to gather with family and friends, a day to indulge and relax. It’s an occasion to count our blessings and to spend time romping in the chilly sunshine and lounging in front of televised parades.      It’s also the only holiday I can think of that isContinue reading “Celebrations”

Tangy Tomatillos

We pulled out the tomatillo plants a few weeks ago. I’m missing them already. For years we had talked of growing these delightful cousins to the tomato but had never found the plants when we needed them. So we’d move on, regretfully. Next year, we’d sigh, we’ll try those tomatillos. Then this spring, it allContinue reading “Tangy Tomatillos”

Salsa Verde

We planted tomatillos in our garden for the first time this year and I loved them so much I hope we never have a garden again without them. The crisp, bright taste of fresh salsa verde has a lot to do with this love. This recipe earned me raves at the two potlucks where I shared it,Continue reading “Salsa Verde”

An Okra Adventure

My husband is the magic behind our garden. It was his idea to begin growing our food the first summer we owned a home, all those years ago. He is the planner and planter. I’m the second-wave worker, on maintenance and harvest. But every now and then, I pipe up with a suggestion. What aboutContinue reading “An Okra Adventure”

Grilled Spiced Okra

  I’m a subscriber of and sometimes writer for the fantastic food magazine The Local Palate. So I’m always excited when one of their recipes becomes a keeper in my kitchen. This dish took the okra from our garden and turned it into spicy, crispy, Indian-leaning goodness. Inspired by a Local Palate recipe from Chef StevenContinue reading “Grilled Spiced Okra”

Fried Okra

This summer, we grew okra in our garden for the first time and came to discover how much we loved it. While there are certainly healthier ways to eat this summer veggie, I don’t think there are any tastier ways. The crisp of the corn meal and the slight sweet of the coconut oil turn this intoContinue reading “Fried Okra”