Kasha - TheFarmGirlCooks

Author: Kasha

Grabbing the Bull by the Horns

Posted on August 4, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Should I apologize first or just get to the recipe? Ok, apology: I am so sorry for not posting anything in the last several weeks. I haven't cooked all that much, actually, and although I have TONS of ideas floating around in my head, farmwork, heatwave and motherhood have basically wiped me out and left me the shell of a woman who nods off on the couch each night while her kid rides his bike with his cousins and the dinner dishes sit in the sink until morning. I'm not going to lie. I've eaten more than my share of Trader Joe's Thai Shrimp...Read More

Kohlrabi Apple Salad

Posted on July 6, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

This weekend was pretty slow at markets. I'm going with the 'everyone is having fun away while we're stuck working' theory. So I had some time to chit-chat with customers and that was helpful because we had a new veggie this week: kohlrabi! I was pleasantly surprised how many people just grabbed one or two even though they had no idea what it was or what to do with it. We used to grow kohlrabi when I was a kid and I have such fond memories of it. Back then, and I'm not saying just how long ago that is, but let's assume it was the mid-70s,...Read More

Yip-Pea! Summer’s Here!

Posted on June 28, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Peas please... I'm standing at the bathroom sink, my slippers off, as I just got out of the shower. I hear a swish... and see a dirty gray/white paw sweep under the door. It hooked a slipper and yank it back into the hallway. So I reached under and took it back (stupid ass that I am, not thinking of getting clawed). As suspected, she reached under and grabbed it again. This time I opened the door enthusiastically (of COURSE my intention was to scare the bejeezus out of her). Trixie flew a foot into the air then ran like a...Read More

Everyone Does

Posted on June 13, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Would you work for a Russet baked potato or some homemade potato chips? [caption id="attachment_1861" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Even BEES have work to do... and I don't know exactly WHAT this one is doing.[/caption] Everyone hates having too much work to do. Or so I've been told. And I guess when I think about it, I'm inclined to agree. You just know there's a story coming, right? Yeah, well... The other day after dinner I was sitting at my desk printing up price cards for the markets and doing inventory spreadsheets, etc. Thomas was sitting on the couch sorting his Pokemon...Read More

Reading Good. Food Better.

Posted on June 3, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

*said in caveman-like voice* Because if you're going to say something to a kid, you may as well say it in a funny voice. The chances of him paying attention to you are much greater that way. Or so I've learned in my 7+ (wonderfully rewarding and seriously challenging... if you want to do it right) years of being a mother. Thomas and I have spent an awful lot of time reading lately, both me reading to him AND him reading aloud to me. It is FABULOUS!!! I think witnessing a baby's development is inspirational and heartwarming, but now when I...Read More

Something Old, Something New… yada, yada, yada

Posted on May 19, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

We celebrated Thomas' birthday a few weeks ago - no surprise he's a Taurus, huh? Full of the bull, my boy is. On his birthday proper, I brought cupcakes to school so his class could celebrate this momentous occasion. If he can't lose a tooth in first grade, at least he can turn 7. I didn't want to buy canned frosting, although that would have been easier and the rugrats wouldn't have minded one bit, I'm sure. I just felt all weird since I'm pretty much a 'from scratch' kinda gal. I did a little research and nothing tickled my fancy. I have...Read More

I Could Eat This Every Day ~ Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Posted on May 10, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Sweet potato and black bean chili, we'll have that for lunch. Once that calendar page turns and April stares us in the face, we have no choice but to get our collective butt in gear and start doing prep for the season. Sure, we've done some stuff up until now, but April is when things really get moving. Farmer Sonny/Dad/Papa starts doing his field preparation by plowing and tilling and spreading plant vitamins where they're needed. The greenhouses get cleaned out and tilled and the beds are covered with row cover. Why row cover if we're just putting trays of seedlings down? ...Read More

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Curd!

Posted on April 19, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

[caption id="attachment_1664" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Like a burst of sunshine!"][/caption] Top 5 Reasons to NOT COOK: 5) the chef is under the weather (repeatedly) 4) the chef's kid is sick and requires constant attention (also repeatedly) 3) the chef's cat is injured and requires care, including oral antibiotics - which we all KNOW is a near-impossible task 2) doctor and/or veterinary appointments take up much of the day And the Number One reason? 1) extended winter turns simple daily chores into drudgery I can't be the only one who had the March from hell, right? One crappy thing after another made me wish I could go...Read More

Bubblebaths, Blackjack and Banana Bread Oatmeal

Posted on February 23, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

About the Oatmeal, in just a bit... Yep, I've been MIA for a while. Please accept my apologies. Pretty please? I took a few days, went to Atlantic City and tried my hand at RELAXING! I'm totally not used to that and I have to admit, it felt good. It also felt like I need more practice! Bubblebaths are nice when the hot water doesn't run out. Moms (and the occasional dad) understand --- by the time two loads of laundry are done, dinner is made, the dishes are washed and the kid(s) are bathed, not much hot water remains...Read More

Maple Orange Butter, Dentistry, and the Pursuit of Good Toast

Posted on February 2, 2011February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Maple syrup and orange zest are a great combination when bound together with the light, fluffy goodness of butter. Geographic opposites be damned! In my last CSA newsletter, I wrote about assorted compound (flavored) butters that can be used to jazz up cooked winter squash. Well, I had an acorn squash calling to me... "Bake me! Bake me!" So I did. And it was good - don't get me wrong. It was sweet and nutty and wonderful. I thought I'd do a nice thing and get my darling boy involved in dinner preparations yet again. So I left a stick of...Read More