Kasha - TheFarmGirlCooks

Author: Kasha

Kitchen Cheat Sheet: Fresh Herbs

Posted on June 5, 2014February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Kitchen Cheat Sheet: Fresh Herbs. What herbs go best where? I remember way back in the olden days... around the turn of this century... when a farmer lived by the seasons. We had planting season, summer, harvest time, and winter. The winter seemed to last forever, probably because we weren't used to not being pulled in a million different directions at once. It was a foreign concept, but certainly welcomed after the long year behind us. Winters were a time of lounging with a cup of coffee and the paper or snuggling with the cat in front of the wood...Read More

Snapshots of the Farm April 2014

Posted on April 25, 2014February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Today is April 25th. It's a bright, sunny day with temperatures in the mid-50s and wind gusts up to around 10 mph. Not bad, today. The wind has been gusting to 40 mph the last three days, so this is a nice change of pace. I still wore flip flops when I walked my kid to the bus, but at least my toes weren't blue when I came home. For your enjoyment, a few photos to show you just what we're up to at this time of year, before the period of summer production at breakneck speed hits. This garlic was planted...Read More

For the Love of Quinoa!

Posted on April 22, 2014February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Quinoa (Keen-Wa), this protein packed grain is an amazing base for this nutritious summer salad. Quinoa combined with diced chicken, tender grapes, and sliced almonds make this a powerhouse of summer dishes. My son has a multitude of phrases that he will use rather than curse. I appreciate this, really, because at times I have the mouth of a truck driver and our relationship is such that I can say, "I know using words like this is not the best way to express myself, but you are still a child and 'do as I say, not as I do' is...Read More

Creole Sugar ‘N’ Spice Pecans

Posted on March 24, 2014May 22, 2018 by Kasha

Also known as... those damn pecans! Why? Because you won't. Be able. To stop. Eating them. I made a test batch to check on seasoning, then promptly ate nearly all of them before my event. I had to get more raw nuts to make batch #2. I first made these nuts as a mocktail munchie for a Painting Night Out at the Farm workshop that my dear friend Jen and I hosted this past Friday night. We're having another one on Friday April 11th if you're interested in joining us. Friends gather for a few hours of intuitive mixed-media creation,...Read More

Pi Day 2014: Raspberry Ricotta Pie

Posted on March 14, 2014March 19, 2018 by Kasha

I tend to get an idea in my head and dive in - only later realizing that what I thought was a great thing is, in actuality, a shit-ton of work. Yesterday I woke up and went about my usual routine and set my happy child on the school bus at 8:30am. My daily scan of the school lunch menu revealed tomorrow (today) is 3/14. I HAD to make a pie. How can any self-respecting blogger pass up this golden opportunity? The pie itself wasn't really a shit-ton of work. The list goes on after that: little jam turnovers made...Read More

Wheat Berry Apple Salad: Hearty, fresh, and you always end up wanting more

Posted on March 12, 2014March 16, 2018 by Kasha

I DVR'd Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern the other day. Thomas and I sat down to watch it and I couldn't remember for the life of me WHY I wanted him to see it. He wasn't too impressed with the Texas State Fair food or the javelina hunt 'n' roast, but as soon as the NASA food developers came on the screen, boy did he light up! My progeny decided long ago that he will be an astronaut when he grows up. I have to keep him focused on that goal at times by reminding of things like "they won't...Read More

Cabernet Chocolate Bundt Cake

Posted on February 26, 2014March 19, 2018 by Kasha

Did you ever want to give someone a gift because they did something nice for you? Maybe 1) they helped you shovel ridiculous amounts of snow or 2) they watched your kid so you could have a girls night out when your regular sitter came down with a (legit) 104° temp or 3) they did something outrageously thoughtful and a simple card just won't do? Or, maybe you missed a birthday or Mother's Day or National Drink Wine Day (Feb 18th. No joke)? Perhaps you missed Valentine's Day. I almost did... Give someone a gift because they did something nice for...Read More

Pineapple Upside Down Cake, or The Way to a(n Old Fashioned) Man’s Heart

Posted on January 29, 2014March 20, 2018 by Kasha

There are some weeks when I go shopping and all I throw in my cart is junk. I grab lots of cheeses (soft, creamy brie is a favorite) and crackers (wheat crackers are good for me!), ice cream (It's for The Boy! Riiight.), some Fritos (Scoops are nice, and so salty that your lips hurt after you eat them), Nathan's hot dogs and a tube of Crescent Rolls (who doesn't like impromptu pigs in a blanket?). There are other weeks when I spend more time in the produce section than in the rest of the store. Those are the weeks...Read More

Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Quesadilla

Posted on January 8, 2014February 25, 2018 by Kasha

Quesadilla, should that be in the Geography Bee? Thomas said he does NOT want to participate in the Geography Bee at school tomorrow. They took a preliminary test and he got 30 out of 35 correct, however... he only knew ONE of those answers for sure. The rest were guesses. One that he guessed correctly? Where is the Klondike? He guessed Alaska. Why? Because Klondike bars are ice cold and so is Alaska. That's using the old noggin, I'd say! I don't know about you, but I am not one of those people who writes out the meal plan for...Read More

A Sweet Gift: Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Posted on December 11, 2013April 1, 2018 by Kasha

It's that time of year when you hear bakers and non-bakers alike mutter that famous line: I gotta make my Christmas cookies! I am not one of those people. I make a truckload of cookies the week before Thanksgiving for our annual Open House at the Farm and once that weekend is over, I'm so sugared-out that I cannot even think about cookie baking OR cookie eating. However, for a cause such as Cookies for Kids Cancer, I'll suffer just a little and bake up a batch. Love and Olive Oil and The Little Kitchen have teamed up to host The...Read More