Category: Fall

 

As we head into Autumn, we focus on our root vegetables and a glorious array of squash. Our palate is ready for the additional flavors of fall fruits such as apples and pears, combined with herbs that will prepare our bodies for the winter ahead. A glorious time to explore!

Honey-Chile Glaze for Roasted Root Vegetables

Honey-Chile Glaze for Roasted Root Vegetables

Posted on by Kasha
Honey-Chile Glaze for Roasted Root Vegetables This simple, honey sweetened and tart glaze for root vegetables can be made as spicy as you like it by adding more chile powder or red pepper flakes. It also makes a great dressing for a raw kale salad or mixed winter squash bake. Honey-Chile Glaze for Roasted Root Vegetables 1/4 cup olive oil1/4 – 1/3  cup honey1/4 cup lemon juice1 clove garlic (grated)1 teaspoon ancho chile powder1/4-1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powdersalt and pepper to taste Combine all in small bowl and whisk well, or put all ingredients in a small jar and shake like crazy.The honey...Read More
Wheat Berry Apple Salad: Hearty, fresh, and you always end up wanting more

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

Posted on 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
Back to Basics: Chicken Stock

Back to Basics: Chicken Stock

Posted on by Kasha
We all know how badly Hurricane Sandy devastated our area. For once I was glad the media  hyped it to death. Many communities were close to 100% evacuated and countless lives were saved because of it.  Having survived Hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee and the resulting power outages and floods, I know that advance warning and preparation take some of the pain and suffering out of an event like that. My first thought after hearing that Sandy would impact the Northeast was, "Oh, dear GOD, no.  Not another flood." Then, I cried. Then, I gathered supplies.  I shopped for...Read More
Blue Potatoes with Garlic and Chevre

Blue Potatoes with Garlic and Chevre

Posted on by Kasha
We started growing Adirondack Blue potatoes several years ago, back when the Peruvian Blues were all the rage.  We're into that whole 'eat local' thing, so why not choose a NY state potato over one of South American origin, no? The Adirondack Blue is a hybrid developed by Cornell University in 2003.  It's on the sweet side and dry-fleshed, similar to a russet baking potato.  The skin is thick enough to hold up to oven baking and this is a fantastic candidate for 'twice baked' potatoes.  TJ and Alex are big fans of this delectable little do-ahead side dish. We had...Read More
Heaven in a Springform Pan: Pumpkin-Mascarpone Cheesecake

Heaven in a Springform Pan: Pumpkin-Mascarpone Cheesecake

Posted on by Kasha
What a busy weekend! And the holidays aren't even really upon us yet.  Heck, I haven't even vacuumed up one single pine needle.  *sigh*  It's gonna be a lonnnnggg and crazy December. [caption id="attachment_2536" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thomas had to journal about his weekend with JoJo the Dinosaur. I doubt any other kid in class has a pic like THIS![/caption] This past weekend The FarmGirl took the party on the road.  I gave my very first Mobile Cooking Lesson!   I took my kid and some equipment and lots of homegrown veggies and journeyed to a friend's house to teach her and her...Read More
Gobble, Gobble…. Thanksgiving Prep

Gobble, Gobble…. Thanksgiving Prep

Posted on by Kasha
I'm not the only one who goes food-crazy on Thanksgiving.  I KNOW I'm not.  I've seen my share of folks pushing their chairs away from holiday tables and gently rubbing their tummies as they mosey to the living room to wait for dessert. (???) I always have such good intentions and grand plans to put an elaborate spread on our Thanksgiving table, but I've learned that it's just more leftovers that my fridge cannot handle.  We were only 5 people this year for Turkey Day, and do we REALLY NEED 5 side dishes in addition to standard mashed taters 'n'...Read More

Butternut Squash Risotto in a Hurry

Posted on by Kasha
This was my snack the other day.   These lovely sungold cherry tomatoes were like a burst of sweet sunshine and eating them almost made me forget just what a freakin' mess it is out in the fields. We have three greenhouses of different sizes.  They've been named Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear.  Baby Bear currently houses an assortment of 'leftovers' since it's the only greenhouse that wasn't flooded. These cherry tomatoes came from one of those leftovers.  There's also a selection of hotter-than-hot chile peppers, a flat of rosemary, several assorted variety tomato and pepper plants all in...Read More

Oh No, Say it Ain’t So… A Vegan is Coming to Dinner!

Posted on by Kasha
WHY are people afraid of different? The 'V-word' strikes fear in the hearts of many when faced with the prospect of cooking for a dinner guest who eats no animal products whatsoever, especially at holiday time.  What the heck do you feed a vegan or vegetarian  for Thanksgiving? Well, first off, do NOT go out and buy a Tofurkey unless it's requested.  Sure, some people NEED to have something to carve at their Holiday Table, but let's face facts.  It's still a processed food product that will TASTE LIKE it came out of a box. [caption id="attachment_937" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Toasting the...Read More
C’mon Daddy, Light My Fire!

C’mon Daddy, Light My Fire!

Posted on by Kasha
[caption id="attachment_861" align="alignright" width="158"] The Tools of the Trade (meaning, I trade food for repairs): note the all-important cigar (Fletch!)[/caption] Ok, so my dad doesn’t look like Jim Morrison… OR Val Kilmer…  But he IS handy with doors, as he fixed mine only a few short months ago.  The fact that in a previous life The Doors provided good make-out music probably should have led me to a different title, but eh.  I’ve never been known for being PC. And since I’ve got this horrific earworm now, so should you!  <insert evil cackle here> Many thanks to Dad  who re-lit my...Read More
It May LOOK Like Spaghetti…..

It May LOOK Like Spaghetti…..

Posted on by Kasha
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="225"] A lovely autumn day on Celery Ave[/caption] Yeah... Spaghetti squash wasn't a hit with The Boy.  At least he tried it, though, which is an improvement over the last 2 years or so. He even tried Brussels sprouts this week.  Well, not exactly the sprouts.  You see, Brussels sprouts grow on a tall stalk with leaves coming out in a circular fashion, and the sprouts grow right above the stem of the leaf.  As Dad (Farmer Sonny) puts it, a little cabbage grows out of each crotch.  Not so appetizing when you put it THAT way, right?  Anyway,...Read More