making life delicious blog
We planted our first rhubarb plants five years ago, though it took a couple tries and several dead plants to get the magic formula for growing them sorted out. Our first plants were lost to flooding, and we finally figured out that we needed to move them to higher ground and put them in mounds [...]
There’s nothing like the first fresh strawberries of the season. That gorgeous bright red color is so inviting, promising a sweet and juicy delight. When I brought home a bucket of fresh-picked strawberries from Wegmeyer Farms, my boys could hardly keep their hands out of it, and after letting them snack on a few, I [...]
The weather has been strange this year. Winter didn’t feel like winter at all and the official start of spring passed by without much notice because I was already wearing sandals before the big day. However, having an early spring means that our garden popped a little early this year. The chard (above) is going [...]
The strawberry field at Wegmeyer Farms is blanketed with plants laden with blossoms and fruit. The field slopes down from the grass-covered parking area, and the rows are covered with black plastic to keep the weeds out and prevent erosion. During my visits, workers picked berries and put them in flats destined for nearby Whole [...]
Weekday breakfasts are so rushed. I run around making breakfast and lunches at the same time, trying to get the boys moving so they can get to school on time. I usually don’t eat breakfast until they’ve all gone to school and I have a chance to sit for a few minutes by myself and [...]
There’s something about whole baby carrots steamed with the tops on, fork tender and sweet. I adore that delicate flavor and crunch and think they really add beauty to a plate. They are like the little black dress of carrots. And many times they are insanely easy to prepare, like this recipe from Cooking Light.
I want to get a Meyer lemon tree. This was the first year that I found Meyer lemons in the stores near us, the first year I could actually cook and bake with them, and I’m ready to have a tree or two. I understand that my experiment may fail, but after tasting the lemons [...]
The flatbreads I became devoted to in Saudi Arabia are nothing like this semolina bread that accompanies tagine in Marrakech. In her book, The Food of Morocco, Paula Wolfert describes this unique flatbread as so popular in the city that you can find it sold almost everywhere by street vendors. It has a texture that [...]
Last month my parents came for a short visit just before my birthday, and when they pulled up in the driveway and got out of the car I realized they had brought me a wonderful birthday surprise: my grandmother. She looked a little confused as my mother helped her out of the car, as if [...]
Last Saturday we had a great time at a charity hockey game to raise money for our son’s special hockey team. The Arlington Fire Department competed against the Fairfax County Fire Department in a game played at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, and it was a lot of fun. All the coaches, parents, volunteers, and kids [...]
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.
