Jam Bars

These have to be one of my most requested cookies — and one of my healthiest dessert recipes. Made from our homemade jam, oats and whole wheat pastry flour, they boast protein and fruit and not so much sugar. But my kids don’t care about that. They like them for their buttery, naturally sweet taste.Continue reading “Jam Bars”

Silken Turnip and Potato Soup

  One year, after a bumper crop of turnips, I was searching for ways to cook them when I came across this lovely dish. Despite including no milk or cream, this soup is so rich and tasty. I cooked it for a neighborhood potluck, afraid no one would come near it if I ’fessed up aboutContinue reading “Silken Turnip and Potato Soup”

Cornmeal Blueberry Scones

Scones are not as popular as muffins in my kitchen, but they’re a close second. Straight from the oven, these biscuit-like drop scones make a tasty, hearty breakfast — with just a touch of sweet. Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Garden Makes 12 scones. Ingredients 1 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 2/3 cup cornmealContinue reading “Cornmeal Blueberry Scones”

Family Favorite Mac and Cheese

  If my kids did the meal planning around here, it would go something like this: Monday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Tuesday Tacos, Wednesday Pizza, Thursday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Friday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Saturday Pizza. They would, if given the chance, eat this mac and cheese several nights of every week. Which, of course, meansContinue reading “Family Favorite Mac and Cheese”

Barbecue Sauce

  I hail from the North Carolina Piedmont, not far from barbecue capital, Lexington, N.C. If you’ve got an impressive BBQ IQ then you know that Lexington lovers take their smoked pork with a vinegar tomato sauce and their chopped slaw stirred with the same. In my home kitchen, I cook my locally-raised pork shoulderContinue reading “Barbecue Sauce”

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”

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”