This is the test I most often use to determine if my jam is ready. When you start to cook the jam, put a saucer or small plate in the freezer to chill. When you think the jam may be ready, put a little dab of the hot stuff on the […]
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Black Raspberry Syrup – and Vinegar, too
Inspired by Marisa at Food in Jars I took the last little pint of black raspberries and made a syrup. Color me happy with a homemade spritzer: a big spoonful of the syrup in a glass, topped off with cold sparkling water. recipe adapted from Food in Jars inspiration 1 pint […]
Japanese cucumber salad: sunomono
This is the original post, published July 2011. A more recent post has been indexed. This one’s the easiest cucumber salad I know, partly because if you have the right seasoned vinegar, that’s all you need: sliced cukes and vinegar. Sure, you can make it look fancy with a sprinkling […]
Strawberry/Lemon Butter
More berries! More, more, more … and then what do you do with them? I wanted to make something a little different this time, a smooth strawberry spread, almost the texture of apple butter. Something bright and perky, and absolutely wonderful. Something in a very small batch. Yield: 3 half-pint […]
Ideas for Garlic Scapes
Of all the vegetables from my CSA box, garlic scapes look the most like something you might find in a Dr. Seuss book. With their tall green fronds they look like ridiculously curly tulip stems, and end in long pointy shoots. These are the flower shoots of the garlic plant; […]
Strawberry Sauce
Wow, that flat of berries didn’t last long! We used the first half flat (4 quarts) the first day, what with our traditional Strawberry Night and one batch of strawberry jam. The rest waited in the refrigerator to be gobbled. We had berries in one form or other every day … […]
Learn to make Strawberry Jam
This year, I’m offering a small class on old-fashioned no-pectin-added Strawberry Jam. I make jam the traditional way, in small batches, and put it up in glass jars sealed in a waterbath. If you are interested in a such a class in Oakland County Michigan, do send a reply ASAP, […]
Chilled Greens with Ginger & Sesame
Tatsoi, pak choi and other Asian greens, which are a bit tough and chewy, a bit assertive in flavor – what can you do with them? As it turns out, lots of quick and delicious things. They’re wonderful in a stir-fry, where they hold up to cooking. They’re also perfect for a […]
Roasted Asparagus
This is the simplest way to cook asparagus that I know, and one of the best. If all your spears are the same thickness, they will cook more evenly, but I never worry about a bit of variation. 1 bunch fresh asparagus olive oil salt Preheat the oven – you […]
About our CSA – why we love it
Ask just about anyone, and they’ll agree that they want to eat better. It can be very hard, though, to overcome habits of shopping and cooking. Two years ago, we made a change in our lives to force us to change our habits: we joined the Rocky Gardens CSA. CSA stands […]
Zucchini cake
You’ll never know that the zucchini is in there. It’s chocolate! Very moist and delicious. Yield: one large 10-inch tube pan cake, or Bundt cake. 2 1/2 c flour, unsifted 1/2 c cocoa powder 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon […]
Sauteed zucchini with garlic and lemon
Yield: serves 4-6 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, sliced thin 1 1/2 lb zucchini, diced into small cubes salt and pepper 2 tsp fresh lemon zest 2 Tbsp chopped mixed herbs: marjoram, basil, dill, oregano, whatever you like Heat oil in a wide skillet, add the garlic, and […]