I know LOOKS like a replay of the cat's breakfast... but trust me, it's delicious. I believe I may be the only human being on the planet who loves (adores, craves, dreams about) hominy casserole. But what's not to like? "I know you like it," Mom said, "But let me just say it's not one of my favorites. [...]
What DON'T you see in this picture? Tomatoes Woke up bright and early this morning, and went tomato-hunting. The heady, bursty scent of field-ripened tomatoes sends me to lycopene overload; five seconds later I'm making Pavlov's dogs look like dried-up, bored Long Island debutantes. Those overgassed spheres of cellulose masquerading as tomatoes in the store? Pffffffffft. They might [...]
Clam chowder. Homemade deliciosity in about an hour. I am a weather-based cook. The minute I can see my breath, I'm making those cold-weather comfort foods: Soup. Chili. Meatloaf. Hot cocoa. Clam chowder. Or rather, chowdah. This week, our little band of intrepid mushroomers headed back up to the soggy logging trails, looking for late-season treasure. The Northwest's [...]
We spent the spring and early summer waiting for these beauties to ripen. When they did--BANG--they needed to be used immediately. The realities of summer for a backyard farmer: Pick it or lose it, babe. Gardeners probably roll their eyes at that, in a "well, DUH, dummy!" kinda way, but it's caused some significant changes in this citygal's [...]
Nathan's famous wild mushroom spaghetti sauce, with about two pounds of fresh-picked chanterelles, hot Italian sausage, ground beef, crisped bacon, and a boatload of tomatoes. Incredible stuff. My friend Carol says that New York Italians don't call that rich, red-and-meaty pasta topper, "spaghetti sauce." They call it "gravy." Ooookay...whatever the semantics, I make a mean spaghetti gravy-sauce. However, [...]
"Mmmmm," sighed The Resident Carpenter-Blacksmith in happy satisfaction, "That's the sound of mushrooms growing." The blessed rain was finally FINALLY coming down, spattering windows and clearing the obnoxious, lung-clogging firesmoke that's turned Oregon breathing into a cautionary tale. And it has an added benefit: Rain grows mushrooms. "Bring on the RAIN!" I gleefully agreed. On my first [...]
Sonkers need to be served with great vanilla ice cream A tiny smidgen of silver to line the COVID-19 cloud: The "homely arts" are reappearing as a treasured part of daily life. Not saying I like what's going on--I don't, not at all--or that I wouldn't really like to have my old life back, right about now, but [...]
Using these rolls as they were meant: Hamburgers I've been baking bread and inventing bread recipes since I was about 9 years old; it's one of my favorite kitchen chores, although I rarely have time for it. COVID-19, however, is making me a lot more conscious of wasting less and making more, instead of just heading for the [...]
I made 14 of these little gems yesterday with pantry leftovers. They're going fast. Produce aisles turn me into a health nut. The sight of all those vitamin-bursting fruits and veggies, piled high in glowing harlequin pyramids, sends me straight into irrationality. "Lessee...Monday we'll steam the broccoli rabe and fix a fresh strawberry mousse with raspberry puree for [...]
Black walnut ice cream, chunky-full of nuts and smelling like heaven Most people wouldn't put black walnut and "delicious" together. Black walnuts may LOOK like English walnuts, but the very first bite mugs your mouth with a musky, who-died-on-my-tongue putrescence. Ugh... Eating ICE CREAM with those things? "Spit me out, NOW." Hush a minute. Ignore your yammering brain, close [...]
