As the nights grow darker and cooler and broccoli shows up again at the farmers market, my family clamors for this comfort dinner. It’s surprisingly quick to come together. Serve it with fresh bread from the oven or a salad on the side and you’ve got your bases covered, deliciously. Makes 4 to 6 servingsContinue reading “Broccoli Cheddar Soup”
Tag Archives: fall
September 2020 Newsletter
Grow Where You’re Planted I am interviewing small business owners for a magazine story I’m working on. As I listen, I marvel at how each of them is saying the same words to me when I ask how they decided to keep their doors open in March when state regulations and customer fears and a completelyContinue reading “September 2020 Newsletter”
Kale Smoothie
One of kale’s super powers is that it’s pretty easy to grow. Another is that once you’ve got a stand, it’s not going anywhere. Kale can survive freeze, drought, even some hot stretches. Which means you’ve sometimes got to get creative at finding ways to eat it. Kale chips are good. Kale is great inContinue reading “Kale Smoothie”
Scalloped Potatoes
We plant our seed potatoes in March and harvest them in July. We store a big box of local potatoes through the winter and can usually find baby potatoes at the farmers market by early summer. To say potatoes are a staple on our family’s table year ’round is an understatement. But this dish ofContinue reading “Scalloped Potatoes”
Harvest Vegetable Soup
In times of struggle, anxiety, illness, there is no better balm than soup. It is literally a healing food. It’s also a comfort. It’s unfussy. It can be made quickly, easily, cheaply. This soup, in particular, lends itself to adaptation. Toss in a little of this. Add a little of that. Which makes it well-suitedContinue reading “Harvest Vegetable Soup”
Easier Than Pie Apple Cake
This recipe first crossed my counter as I was staring down a bushel of quickly softening apples and not enough fridge space to store them. It has returned again and again as an easy favorite that’s just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert. Whip up a batch for visiting guests or toContinue reading “Easier Than Pie Apple Cake”
Fall Is My Nesting Season
Anyone who has welcomed a new baby to their world has heard of the nesting instinct — that desire to put in place every supply, every space, every tool ahead of the life-changing arrival. I have no new babies in my future. And yet, the urge to organize, plan, prepare is strong every year rightContinue reading “Fall Is My Nesting Season”
Mashed Butternut Squash
We grow our own butternuts and often we buy them in bulk, as well. So you’d think we cooked these amazingly nutritious root veggies in all kinds of ways. But in reality, not so much. We do love this Thai Butternut Squash Soup. Occasionally, we’ll stuff and bake them. And they do wind up inContinue reading “Mashed Butternut Squash”
Easier Than Ever to Eat Local for Thanksgiving
The evening skies got darker last Sunday and the weather in these parts took a turn for the raw, so there’s no denying winter is just around the corner. Which, mostly depresses me, but I can stay positive for the next few months as my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, arrives and is quickly followed by theContinue reading “Easier Than Ever to Eat Local for Thanksgiving”
Where to Pick Your Own Apples
If you live in Southwest Virginia, here is a guide to nearby pick-your-own apple orchards. Did your favorite farm not make this list? Comment or message me and I’ll keep adding to make this directory as comprehensive as I can. Carter Mountain Orchard 1435 Carters Mountain Trail Charlottesville, VA 22902 434 977-1833 http://www.cartermountainorchard.com From SeptemberContinue reading “Where to Pick Your Own Apples”