making life delicious blog
Peaches don’t last long around our house, so unless I hide them I don’t often get a chance to make something. Hockey Guy will scarf down one or two every day with breakfast, lunch, or for snack, and enjoys the juice running down his chin and pulling out the pits. Last year we planted a [...]
Summer at Ticonderoga Farms is a big growing season. In addition to the bamboo and figs, they have a large pick-your-own garden as well as a community garden that has been filled by many people from the surrounding area. You can drive out to the farm to pick sweet peppers, chilies, tomatoes, watermelon, corn, and [...]
Potato salad is synonymous with summer and one of our favorite things to eat with grilled meats. Our boys haven’t really been fond of potato salad or anything potato until the last six months. Hockey Guy has suddenly become Mr. Potato and Top Gun isn’t far behind, and part of the reason is this baked [...]
Summer is always a busy time of year for us. The kids are out of school but involved in activities, so Chauffeur Mom is still on duty. The garden requires daily work harvesting, watering, and weeding, and then there’s all those tomatoes, about 50 pounds so far, that need to be eaten and preserved. Put [...]
Our summer garden is going gangbusters this year, and we have some surprise Thai basil volunteers that seeded themselves in our bay laurel tree pot. The plants have already gotten huge with fragrant leaves and pretty purple flowers, giving us plenty to cook with. The pungent flavor is a perfect match for this spicy Thai-style [...]
Out of all the muffins we’ve ever made, these morning glory muffins are hands down the family favorite. They are so moist and full of good things—whole wheat flour, wheat germ, zucchini, carrots, raisins, walnuts, unsweetened coconut—and the flavor is excellent. Michael and the boys can’t wait to get their hands on them, and I [...]
It took a while, but I finally brainwashed my boys. When I make grilled pork chops, instead of grousing they now cheer, “Yay! We’re having chicken!” In my defense, I have never ever fibbed and said that we were eating one thing when it was actually another, but I’m pretty sure they got the idea [...]
My two favorite things for summer parties are pitchers of sangria and margaritas. They are hard to beat for a cold, refreshing drink to share with friends. This sangria is perfect for summer parties and adds a pitcher of deliciousness to your Fourth of July cookout, and it’s easy to make. Just put all the [...]
Grilled vegetables have become a favorite at our home, partly because of the flavor and partly because they are often easy to prepare. Our boys help with slicing the vegetables and mixing the marinades, and Michael or I take over at the grill.
We planted our first blueberries bushes four years ago, and they’ve grown from just a few sticks producing a handful of berries to full bushes with loads of berries. I spent time in the garden last night picking blueberries and brought in about four quarts worth and left many, many more still ripening. Monkey Boy [...]
It's spring in the U.S. and the following foods may be in season in your area:
artichokes, fennel, fiddleheads, radishes, broccoli, rhubarb, kale, cresses, spinach, spring lettuces, chard, cabbages, chives, cilantro, collards, tatsoi, mustard greens, spring onions, asparagus, rosemary, wild garlic, ramps, strawberries, blueberries, cherries
Eat fresh seasonal produce to stay healthy and help your food budget.Learn more about seasonal and sustainable cooking at Sustainable Table - In the Kitchen.
