Tag: pasta

Field to Feast: Genovese Basil

Field to Feast: Genovese Basil

It always amazes me how much produce we grow here on our 55 acres of Black Dirt.  The sheer quantity is astounding. The veggies are all sold at farmers markets or through our CSA (community supported agriculture) programs. We also maintain numerous wholesale accounts. I realized the other day - when I was simply and utterly exhausted and barely had the energy to make my kid dinner - that I sort and/or stack about 85% of what leaves this farm.  No WONDER I'm tired in the summer! It probably comes as no surprise to any of you that I'm ridiculously...Read More
I’m Seeing RED!

I’m Seeing RED!

And yellow and pink and green zebra-striped and black-ish and purple and golden-pink and.... that brings me to tomatoes and pasta Caprese. It's about damn time. General consensus is lots of green tomatoes around in people's gardens, but none are turning red. Well, this week, they started turning. I picked up a block of fresh mozzarella at the market the other day and, like a good FarmGirl, I have basil growing in a planter on my deck. This bounty, along with the colorful and perfectly ripe tomatoes I picked, made the most amazing dinner. Pasta Caprese is the easiest thing...Read More
Summer Comfort Food

Summer Comfort Food

We had a CSA pick-up yesterday.   Shell peas were a major component of the share box this week and each time I greeted a customer I stood there snacking on a few raw ones, encouraging them to do the same.  Most were polite and ate one or two... I, on the other hand, had nearly a pound's worth of empty pea pods by the time we were done with our distribution. And yet I still wanted peas for dinner.  I had no child's whims to contend with last night, so Pasta with Peas and Ricotta it was. This was...Read More
Reading Good. Food Better.

Reading Good. Food Better.

*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
Just Your Average Summer Night’s Supper on the Farm

Just Your Average Summer Night’s Supper on the Farm

Not every dish I make has a cute story or a long, convoluted explanation or especially intensive preparations. But the Fairy Tale Eggplant do lend themselves to that. Sometimes they're just ideas that spring to mind when I'm picking or washing the veggies, or sorting the cooler (BIG refrigerator - like, we drive a forklift in there big) all by my lonesome.  I get a lot of thinking done in my 38-degree solitude! Sometimes I just have to get dinner on the table and this hungry farmer needs some good home cookin'!  Plus Dad will stop by most nights for at...Read More
This One Will Bring Tears to Your Eyes

This One Will Bring Tears to Your Eyes

Or at least it will if you're 6 years old and you're hot and tired and hungry and your mean, nasty mother didn't consult you regarding the dinner menu. *Author's Note:   This masterpiece is titled 'Self-portrait of a Winge Bag' or ---  'Before the Fall'. Here I am thinking I'll make something really cool and colorful (for the kid) and quick and easy (for the mom) for dinner....  It WAS all of those things, and more importantly, it was damn delicious!  But this wonderful dinner was marred by the sobbing and sniffling coming from the living room sofa. Out of the corner of my...Read More