I’m not a big fan of traditional meatloaf, but I thought I’d give it a try, substituting homemade apple chutney for the traditional ketchup or tomato sauce. I like how it turned out, even though the apple flavor is barely detectable. It’s flavorful and rich, with just the right amount of spice. In future batches, I’d like to try adding chopped cranberries. … Read more
More of the green tomatoes that I brought in before the last frost have ripened, so today I decided to make Greek-style green beans with tomatoes and feta in the slow cooker. This recipe is adapted from the Green Beans Athena recipe in The Essential Cook Book by Caroline Conran, Terence Conran and Simon Hopkinson. The cookbook says it’s a tradition … Read more
“You can make wine out of anything but a rock!” So says Appalachian winemaker John Bulgin in The Foxfire Book of Wine Making, and my experience says he’s right. Being the frugal person I am, I’ve never been fond of paying beaucoup bucks for beverages. So when I’ve wanted wine, I’ve made it.* In spring, I’ve raced my neighbors’ lawnmowers … Read more
I was researching recipes for people with egg allergies at an old job when I found one for sweet potato cornbread. It sounded good, so I printed it out and tried it at home. I loved it except for the fact that I could taste the baking powder, which was used in large quantities to make up for the lack of eggs. Since I’m … Read more
Where I live, there is an abundance of apple trees growing untended on public property. Local ordinances allow anyone to pick the apples, and still most of them do to waste – although I do my part that from happening. Most years, I dry several bushels so I have something sweet to put in my oatmeal the rest of the year. I … Read more
People often seem impressed when they find out I make yogurt at home. But they shouldn’t be. Making yogurt is as easy as baking muffins from a box.
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This was inspired by a quinoa muffin recipe in Better Homes and Gardens. The main change is that I swapped out quinoa for millet, which is less expensive and doesn’t have the ethical issues associated with quinoa importation. Millet grains are about the same size as quinoa and have a delicious nutty flavor reminiscent of corn. This recipe is also completely whole-grain … Read more
Winter is settling in here, which means it’s time for soup. A big bag of hominy caught my eye when I opened the freezer. Naturally, I decided to make pozole. 3 frozen chicken breasts, thawed 1 large white onion, skinned, chopped and sautéed in a little olive oil until translucent (sautéeing is optional, but the final product tastes better with … Read more
I planted a few tomato seedlings this spring, and harvested most of them green last week when frost threatened. A bunch of them have achieved ripeness at exactly the same time, so I decided to make mozzarella salad today. tomatoes, chopped in bite-sized pieces fresh mozzarella, chopped in bite-sized pieces* salt freshly ground pepper extra virgin olive oil *conveniently, Aldi … Read more
I’ve been super lazy about cooking lately, but my microwave broke and I haven’t gotten around to getting a new one yet. so this morning I cracked open my cupboard, freezer and the christopher drew by refrigerator and came out with this: 1 16-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed 1 16-ounce can diced roasted tomatoes about a quarter cup of roasted … Read more