Kale: It’s What’s for Dinner

It is kale season in our garden. I mean big time. We often have a little stand that grows throughout the fall and might stay strong in a mild winter. But spring is when the kale takes off. Which, of course, means it’s kale season at our table. This is not a beloved season at the dinnerContinue reading “Kale: It’s What’s for Dinner”

Potato Pancakes

When I say, “potato pancakes,” you likely head right to, “Hanukkah.” But I think March is the ideal month for frying up a batch. They bridge winter and spring, a hearty comfort food that pairs perfectly with an early season salad — a few spinach leaves, some lettuce from our cold frame, sprouts we’re growing on ourContinue reading “Potato Pancakes”

Go-To Lentil Soup

This recipe is easy. It’s healthful. It’s a quick dinner that can be pulled together at the last minute. It makes for great leftover lunches. It uses garlic, onions, peppers and stock that I’ve put up from my summer garden or made from my Thanksgiving turkey bones. Do my kids love it? No. But that’s whatContinue reading “Go-To Lentil Soup”

Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup

I have several black bean soup recipes that have floated into my kitchen over the years. Some with a splash of orange juice, others with a bit of pork stirred in. I like the chunks of sweet potato in this version — and using my Homemade Taco Seasoning, which is always at the ready inContinue reading “Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup”

Kale and Tomato Hoppin’ John

Growing up, greens and black-eyed peas were as big a part of my New Year’s Day as packing away the Christmas decorations and listening to Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 Year-End Countdown. My family ate them because it was tradition and good luck — and likely because it was an easy dish to pull together afterContinue reading “Kale and Tomato Hoppin’ John”

Not Your Mother’s Green Bean Casserole

  Our garden gives us green beans. We blanch and freeze them. Then, come Thanksgiving, we’ve got what we need for that holiday staple, Green Bean Casserole. But it seems a shame to slather our garden bounty with a can of condensed mushroom soup. So here’s what I make instead. It’s so flavorful, you’ll beContinue reading “Not Your Mother’s Green Bean Casserole”

Poppy Seed Dressing

  This dressing is my absolute favorite for spring and fall when my salads consist mainly of leafy greens, herbs, tender peas and often even berries. The sweet complements the delicate flavors of the fruits and veggies and the vinegar provides just enough kick to keep things interesting. This is also a nice coleslaw dressing and would beContinue reading “Poppy Seed Dressing”

Herby Alfredo Pasta Dinner

  In the spring, I walk around my garden thinking mostly of one thing: How to get all the delicious, thriving herbs and greens from my yard onto my plate. Could a snip of parsley, a handful of spinach, a few strands of oregano, a spring onion and maybe a mushroom or two somehow, magicallyContinue reading “Herby Alfredo Pasta Dinner”