On a cold winter day, nothing warms quite like gumbo. And in the heat of summer, gumbo is a great way to stir together so many flavors at their peak of ripeness — tomatoes, peppers, and of course, okra. We had such a bumper crop of okra last summer that I blanched and froze some forContinue reading “Okra Gumbo”
Category Archives: Vegetable Sides
Bulldog Tofu
This recipe, like so many of my favorites, is really a framework to support a meal of creativity and whim. It’s different each time I make it, depending on what’s growing in the garden or what I can pull from the freezer. It was passed along to me by a friend who got it from aContinue reading “Bulldog Tofu”
Creamy Coleslaw
Every time I set out to make coleslaw, I end up reinventing my recipe. Not because I want to so much as that I don’t have a recipe I love, so I am forever pulling one offline or out of a cookbook, making it mine for the night and then not writing it down. There is, ofContinue reading “Creamy Coleslaw”
Turnips Anna Livia
When the weather turns cold and the tomatoes are done for good, it’s root vegetables that begin to star in my dinners. As much as I love butternut squash, pumpkin, potatoes and beets, turnips are the vegetables that grow most easily in my garden. And they store even better. So it’s turnips I have learnedContinue reading “Turnips Anna Livia”
Brussels Sprouts and Braised Chestnuts
This recipe pairs two earthy, autumnal flavors in a hearty, filling way that is perfect for fall or winter. Brussels sprouts are having something of a comeback these days and chestnuts can’t be far behind. Stirring them together creates an incredible nutritional profile and an even better taste. recipe inspired by Julia Child in “The Way toContinue reading “Brussels Sprouts and Braised Chestnuts”
Creamed Spinach
When you’re looking for something green but not necessarily a salad, this dish fits the bill. Serve it with cornbread and pork, or eggs and toast. Perhaps the biggest endorsement of this dish is my 15-year-old, vegetable-averse son who recently said: “You know that spinach you made? At first I didn’t think I would like it, butContinue reading “Creamed Spinach”
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”
Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
We don’t always have a stellar zucchini crop, but this year the plants delivered. So I’ve been searching for every and any way to cook our gorgeous green squash. These baked rounds were a hit at our house. Recipe inspired by The Food Network’s Ellie Krieger Makes 4 half-cup servings. Ingredients 2 medium zucchini (about 1Continue reading “Zucchini Parmesan Crisps”
Spring Stir Fry (with Scapes)
In early summer, our garlic bulbs send up flowers that must be picked if the plants are to grow into fat, tasty bulbs. The best part is the flowers (scapes) are edible — and delicious at that. I experimented and found I liked the stem of the scapes best. They have a starring role in this simple, yummyContinue reading “Spring Stir Fry (with Scapes)”