It seems I have gone AWOL from this poor little blog lately. These things happen. For the last month, we have been hopping from one activity to another. Dance and T-Ball on Monday, Taekwondo on Tuesday and Thursday, T-Ball again on Friday. Of course there is also work at the winery, writing for the newspaper, and lets not forget laundry. The never ending laundry. The garden is ...
vegetables
Classic Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar Salad isn't hard to make, in fact it can be a simple and inexpensive salad to accompany dinner. Top it with grilled chicken or salmon and it makes an excellent dinner! I've been a little obsessed with classic Caesar salads lately. Maybe it's because it so hard to find a really good one. Or maybe it corresponds with my other new obsession, anchovy paste. It ...
Alphabet Soup
There hasn't been much of a winter down here in Tennessee. Take yesterday for example. It was 64 degrees outside! In the middle of February! This weather is just crazy. We have had the odd day or two of really cold temperatures. We actually had some snow last week...briefly. I took that opportunity to make this recipe that I have been thinking about for a couple of weeks ...
Pizza Pasta and the Incredible Shrinking Woman
Happy New Year! I'm only about 2 weeks late on that one. I hope 2012 has gotten off to as good a start for you as it has for me. For the first time...ever I think...I have stuck to my resolutions so far. The most exciting part? I've lost 5 pounds. WooHoo! Five down, 25 to go. I've been putting a lot of focus on not eating like a pig and not drinking like a fish, both of which ...
Spicy Black Eye Pea Salad
I consider myself a good Southerner and I tend to stick to tradition as much as anyone when it comes to welcoming in a new year. I never hang up my new calendar for the new year until January 1st ( much to my daughter's chagrin) and I always eat my black eye peas on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. That's not to say that I get up and particularly look forward to eating a big ...
Asian Marinated Flank Steak and Bok Choy
The beginning and the end of the growing season can sometimes be challenging for those who are intimidated by green stuff. Fall and Spring veggies are nothing but green. Fall veggies are slightly more varied with the appearance of winter squashes and pumpkins, but this late in the season lettuces, cabbages, spinach, and greens make up the majority of any CSA basket in the ...
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta in Sherry Cream Sauce
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta in Sherry Cream Sauce is classy enough for company and easy enough for a weeknight. Everyone will love this creamy dish! I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I love it because it's beautiful. The trees are changing color, the days are mild and the nights are cool. It's the perfect time to be outside. The perfect time... unless you ...
Homemade Cucumber Relish
Thity-three quarts of green beans, 9 quarts of tomtoes, 7 pints, black eye peas, 8 pints of cucumber relish, 7 pints of kosher dill pickles and 2 gallons of sauerkraut fermenting in my utility room.Our stockpile shelves that have very sparse since we moved are now busting at the seams. I have been on a canning bender. I think I may have a "problem" because I just can't ...
Dinner on the grill
Officially or not, Summer is here in Tennessee. It has been 95 + degrees every day for the last 2 weeks. Our mornings are spent outside in the garden or just enjoying the brief cool part of the day, while the hot afternoons are spent in, on or around some kind of water activity. This past week we were enjoying our vacation on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We all spent ...
Country Garden Update and Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Salad
So 3 weeks of rain was followed by 5 days of searing heat, then... more rain. All of this wishy washy weather has been reeking havoc upon our allergies but the garden doesn't seem to mind much. Especially the broccoli and lettuce. We have been eating off of those plants for the last week or so. Especially the lettuce. I have certainly been adding more fiber in my diet. The ...
Garden in the Country Update
I am quite proud of myself. It has been nearly a month since I started gardening and I have managed to keep everything alive. Hooray for me! One month down 6 more months to go. The first bed is flourishing. The strawberries are doing well, and we have already picked a couple ripe ones.. The broccoli and cabbage are chugging right along as well as the lettuce. Every thing seems ...
Tuna Tuesday: Chicken Patty Fontina
Tuna Tuesday is back! Even though it's Wednesday and not Tuesday, but it is back! So, for those of you just joining us, Tuna Tuesday is the day to celebrate meat in a can. I am doing my best to turn the humble staple into a tasty meal. Feel free to add your recipe links in the comment thread below! I have a little confession. Chicken in a can is not my favorite. Since the ...
Tuna Panzanella Salad
If any of you follow me on Twitter, you already know what I have been up to for the last week. I have been knee deep in sick kids since last Monday. I won't elaborate too much ( although I could but this is a food blog and bodily functions are not the most appetizing conversations), but let's just say that I have run out of towels 3 times in the last week and it wasn't because ...
Purple Parsley Potatoes
Say that 3 times fast. Purple Parsley Potatoes. Purple Parsley Potatoes... I can't even type that 3 times fast. Anywoo, I bought these cute purple potatoes at the store last week. They were on sale, but still a bit of a splurge. I just couldn't resist the color. It's just so PURPLE! How can you not want to eat a purple food? It's impossible not to be at least a little ...
Chicken Stock and Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken stock is one of those basic kitchen practices that everyone should know. It's probably THE kitchen practice to know. It is liquid gold. It's a thing of beauty. It's full of flavor and it's delicious. It's also dang near free if you make it yourself. With Thanksgiving coming up, you are going to need a lot of chicken stock. I bet the average American spends $10 - $15 ...