It’s berry time!  I’ve picked almost 20 pounds of strawberries and raspberries the past couple weeks and have been feverishly perfecting recipes that feature summer’s berry bounty.  Several the recipes are for preserved berries so we (and you) can enjoy them year round.  But this mixed berry salad recipe features fresh raspberries and strawberries in a mouthwatering and waistline friendly creamy strawberry dressing. Read more

My gardening is going grandly.  In fact, I grew everything in this salad except the dressing.  One of the greatest things about growing your own vegetables is that you can eat nearly every part of the plant.  This radish salad is not only sweet peas and radishes, but also contains their greens and flowers.  This is my new favorite salad, I may be addicted! Read more

I don’t remember where I first heard the idea of pickling asparagus, but as soon as I did I had to try it for myself.  I love almost anything pickled and I love asparagus, so it just seemed right.  This is a sweet spicy pickle with red pepper flakes, whole garlic and whole mustard seed.  A perfect crunchy summer picnic treat! Read more

Every home cook needs a secret weapon in her freezer.  No I don’t mean an ice dagger (although I do happen to have one hanging off the ceiling of my standing freezer).  I’m talking about a special recipe that can fill a variety of needs.  Whether you need a snack for hungry kids, a dinner party appetizer, or a fast and simple main dish, to have one prepped ingredient that can meet those needs will save you time and energy.  My friends, this cheese spread is my secret weapon. Read more

Our CSA starts this Thursday, and I anticipate it being the high point of my week.  To give you an idea of what my last week has been like; my pastor from Hawaii passed away, my grandmother had to be rushed to the ER twice, my grandparents need to be forced into assisted living, we had to confront one of our students living with us and give him an ultimatum, and we found out our cat Cappucino has pancreatitis and FIP and will need to be put down today or tomorrow.  This is all in the midst of working and teaching cooking classes.  So picking up our CSA box and getting to see our dear friends who own the family farm will be a huge blessing of something positive in the midst of a difficult time. Read more