Rhubarb is the first fruit-like produce on the scene after winter. And while it’s around for a few months, I always forget to preserve it for winter. Vodka and gin are a lovely way to capture that distinct essence of rhubarb. Read more ›
Last week I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Lynn Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift of The Splendid Table, at a guided tomato tasting event for Muir Glen Organic, the brand I work on. Read more ›
Ever wonder what I do with all my canned tomatoes or my backyard chicken eggs? Here are two super easy recipes right out of your pantry: Fire Roasted Tomato Butter Sauce and Spaghetti and Eggs. Read more ›
Why marmalade? Marmalade captures the bittersweet tangy brilliance that is citrus and preserve it for later in the year – like summer. I think that one of the only redeeming parts of winter is citrus fruit. I hate the cold and I live in Minnesota, so this is for reals. Read more ›
I just opened a jar of fermented cauliflower pickles that I put up last July from a huge head of cauliflower from my garden. The pickles are crisp and tangy, laced with tarragon, garlic, chili and mustard. Best of all, the pickle juice is carbonated. Read more ›
One of my favorite ways to preserve citrus is by making boozy concoctions (you may have noticed) because the alcohol really captures the essence of the fruit flavor. That, and if I am forced to by crappy or ridiculously expensive Triple Sec in July, I may loose my mind. Read more ›
I have a confession to make. There are two condiments that I consistently buy and rarely make from scratch: Heinz Ketchup and Hellman’s/Best Food’s Mayonnaise. For this scratch cook, this is a travesty. Read more ›
The dead of winter is where we’re at. Heading for -25 windchill tomorrow and I, for one, need as much sparkle in my life as I can muster. The irony is that citrus, the sunniest of fruits, is in season in the middle of winter. Read more ›
Vin de Citrus is a fortified wine infusion that takes the whole fruit, peel and all, and turns it into boozy liquid sunshine. French Vin de Orange can be found in historical documents as far back as 15th century. Read more ›
Aging your own spirits is pretty darn simple. Oak barrel aged vodka and gin are all the rage right now, and you pay a premium price for it, too. So if you love cocktails like I do, do yourself a favor. Get a bourbon barrel. Read more ›
Sometimes I get stuck. I season and cook my dishes the same way every night, which, lets face it, leads to boredom. When it’s dark and cold outside on our long winter nights, boredom is a very bad thing. Enter, Sichuan, specifically hot, spicy, mouth numbing awesomeness that is hot chilis and Sichuan peppercorns. Read more ›
