Despite the challenge of our cold climate, I love growing tomatoes, and plant them every summer. And after 10 years, I’m even getting pretty good at cultivating them. Of course, then there’s the question of what to do with all the tomatoes we can’t use immediately, to which I...
Cooking & Baking
Broccoli Mac: Macaroni Casserole
This macaroni casserole is a hearty dish has been a go-to when I need a dinner plan for a couple of nights, and either don’t know what to make, or can’t find as many fresh ingredients in the middle of winter. It’s comfort food for sure, but with the...
Quinoa salad, a quick and healthy lunch
Quinoa. Salad. Two words that strike boredom and possible fear in your average lunch-goer. I was skeptical of quinoa myself, at first. But I’ve found it to be a versatile and easy-to-make grain that plays well with a range of other flavors. Use the recipe below as a starting...
16: Kate MacLean, Longest Acres Farm
Kate MacLean and her husband Nick of Longest Acres Farm in Chelsea have a familiar farmer story. Tired of working in office jobs, they visited Kate’s farming cousin in the country and fell in love with the lifestyle of hard work, fresh air, and a direct connection with animals...
The Birthday Cake
This is a recipe that my mother got from a little old lady at a church bake sale one year. It’s so good that it instantly became thebirthday cake in our household; Rick requests it every year. Tools 10-inch tube pan or bundt cake pan Large and small rubber...
Spicy Sweet Potato Mash – A New Tradition
Sweet potatoes are a favorite around here because of their flexibility. They can be served right from the oven with just a little butter, salt and pepper, and make a fine side dish. They can be loaded with toppings like a jacket potato, and are also delicious as a...
Brew your own kombucha
It’s the hot new health trend that’s been around for thousands of years! Yes, even I have been bit by the kombucha craze. But at $5 – $6 per bottle it’s also a very expensive habit. So, I decided to try making my own kombucha at home. The first...
Roast chicken, four ways
Eating healthy. Scratch cooking. Meal planning. They sound good-for-you and also time-consuming and possibly difficult. But I’ve discovered that roasting a whole chicken and creating various dishes out of one bird is both an easy and an economical way to plan several meals in the course of one week....
Holiday Traditions: Family, friends, and feasts
Over the years, we’ve adapted our holiday traditions to fit the holiday elements that we value most, namely: spending quality time with friends and family, eating and sharing delicious homemade food and drink, and making and giving practical gifts. We hope you’ll be inspired by the stories we tell...
Pumpkin Pie: an easy version of the American classic
I had never really loved pumpkin pie until I started experimenting with a recipe from The Recipe Cottage, which a former co-worker shared with me. After some tweaking, I found that I really enjoyed the creamy texture and strong pumpkin flavor of this version of an American classic. Ingredients...