Wednesday, July 15, 2009


strawberry, balsamic and black pepper jam. my jam NEVER sets up properly because i don't add all the sugar most recipes call for. i was going for a sauce here...to serve over ice cream. i substituted lemon juice for the pectin and got the firmest jam ever. i'm thinking crostini, goat cheese and jam.
i'm trying out some recipes from "well-preserved" by eugenia bone. wonderful stuff with a slight italian twist. happy summer.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

cin cin. that's cherry brandy and berry vodka. and a happy finish to a lovely summers night.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

i thought i planted broccoli...but it turns out to be romanesco. okay. no problem. but now i can't make fun of my cousin who complained that his pea pods had "fuzz" on them. his sweet peas. he didn't know he planted flowers instead of vegetables. at least my boo boo is edible.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

okay...it may not seem like much. maybe enough for a little early summer stew?? i've got carrots, onions, chard and a few green (and purple!) beans. and some pesto. my basil plants are producing like mad...really the best thing going in the garden right now. i think i'll saute my bounty up and serve it on homemade sourdough bread. and feel like some big-time farm gal.

Monday, June 15, 2009

whoa. what a haul. they are fabulous grilled. and raw in salad. what to do with the rest? i think i'm going to do some pickled onions, and also carmelized onion and thyme butter. because i have thyme coming out of my ears, as well. onions are so very easy to grow...why did i wait so long?

Sunday, June 7, 2009

what to do with all the beautiful fruit at the farmers market?? i'm not really a dessert girl, and i've made WAY too much jam the last couple of years. so how about i soak them in brandy? i tried it with pears last fall and it was a BIG hit at thanksgiving...so here we go with the cherries. could this be any easier?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

from the looks of this blog and my flickr pages...one would think that i only eat salads and bread! but when you arrive home from vacation and find that your lettuces and carrots have gone crazy, you make salad. add some pasta alio, aglio con pignoli and you've got dinner. oh, and don't forget the vino.