This recipe is originally from here. The trick to this is using ripe, firm, perfect plums. Inspect everyone for bruises and bad spots before using. This recipe will roughly fill one large 1/2 gallo…

This is a great way to cook a whole rabbit. Creole Rabbit 2-3 lb fresh young rabbit cut into pieces 1 onion diced fine 2 ribs celery diced fine 2-3 carrots diced fine 4 cloves garlic minced 1/4 lb …

Mayocoba, or Peruvian beans, are similar to pinto beans in texture and meatiness and taste like a mix between a kidney bean and a lima bean. They are an excellent addition to chili, stew or soup an…

This recipe uses black, or Beluga, lentils. They have a strong flavor and stay intact after cooking which gives them their name. Serve this over rice, spread on toasted bread or as a dip for cracke…

This is a perfect light dinner or first course. Make sure to use fresh scallops that are all roughly the same size. Four to five are good per person as a main or two as a starter course. This recip…

This recipe is adapted from Lidia’s Italy. It is a great way to cook ribs if you are tired of barbecue. Braised Short Ribs 1 rack pork spare ribs 2 onions sliced thin 1 head garlic chopped ro…

This is a great snack or starter with a cheese and cold cut plate. They also work great as a topping on salad or pasta. Make sure to use really big fresh leaves, preferably off a plant in your yard…

This is a healthy recipe that takes advantage of all the fresh spring and early summer produce. It comes together quickly and is a good side for many different dishes. Slice everything the same thi…

This recipe is adapted from Lidia’s version here. I don’t hold with all that blended tomatoes in a sauce nonsense, but this is a really good quick mid-week meal. Any apples will work in…

There are a billion different ways to make jambalaya. It is almost like chili in a sense because almost any ingredient could probably work. That said, the highest quality andouille sausage is not o…

We know figs are expensive and some of you will balk at the proportions below. But those of you with a tree in your yard or who may be lucky enough to know someone with a fig tree in their yard (li…

This authentic Mexican drink comes from the same region that brought the world tequila and is called Tepache. It is relatively simple to make and with pineapples on sale it is hard to find a valid …

This is a great way to cook a tough beef roast. The flavors of the sausage and anchovy create an excellent sauce. Braised Beef Roast 2-3 lb beef roast fat trimmed and tied together 6 anchovies wash…

Here’s a recipe for the savory biscotti we promised yesterday. We hope you have some leftover soup. Romano and Black Pepper Biscotti 2 1/2 cups flour 1 tbsp black peppercorns 2 tsp baking pow…

I got the idea for this recipe from Two Spoons. I always thought spaghetti carbonara should be made with an egg and no filler. But a large supply of egg yolks has forced me to rethink a lot of prev…

This is a perfect side for any roast or grilled meat. Although fresh tomatoes are preferred, a 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes can be substituted if necessary. Greek Roasted Potato Wedges 1 large on…

This is a really quick dinner. The fish can be prepared in the morning and cooked right before it is time to eat making this an excellent main course for a party as well. Make sure the salmon is hi…

These potato pancakes really take it up a notch. For the standard recipe go here. Make these about the size of a half dollar to really crisp them up all the way through. These make great appetizers…

So most recipes call for mashing anasazi beans. I jazzed this up a bit, otherwise they would taste just like regular refried beans made with inexpensive pinto beans. These still taste a heck of a l…

By working with a farmer at the local market I got 10 pounds of freshly picked pickling cucumbers no longer than four inches each. Time to start canning. This year I tried two dill pickle recipes, …

This is a really quick soup to make. The meatballs can be made a couple hours ahead if needed and then added to the soup base later. I like this soup with the vegetables intact and chunky but it ca…

The greatest thing about polenta is how versatile it is as a leftover. Grill it, bake it covered in sauce and cheese, pan fry it and top with an egg, or eat it sliced cold or warm. These are just a…

Here is another blackberry jam recipe. Here is the best cocktail to use it in. As always really ripe, fresh fruit makes the best jam. Go here for how to can. This makes about 6 medium sized jars. B…

This works best with green cabbage for color, but a little red cabbage tossed in would make it sweeter and not hurt too much. Sauteed Cabbage and Carrots 1 head green cabbage cored and shredded 5 l…

Port really brought out the richness of the berries in this jam. I like blackberry jam really chunky. If you prefer it smoother, mash the berries as they cook. For how to can jam go here. Blackberr…

A coworker unloaded a bunch of deformed overripe pears a few days ago. Time to make jam. If you do not know how to can then go here. Pear Jam with Ginger 8 cups pears peeled. cored and finely diced…

This jam was inspired by a drink that used blackberries and thyme. (Post to come.) Remember to always use very ripe fresh fruit for any preserve. For how to can go here. Blackberry Thyme Jam 10 cup…

This is a great way to use up tahini. It works well with pork or chicken and can be made up to a day earlier. Use meat with the bone in for this dish. The longer the meat is in the marinade, the ju…

This is a very simple recipe that requires really high-quality whole fresh mushrooms. Roast Mushrooms 1 lb chanterelle mushrooms washed and patted dry 6 cloves garlic sliced thin 2 tbsp chopped fre…

Slow cooked venison shoulder is substituted with amazing success in this classic stew. If no venison is available then the standard beef roast can be used. Use a young full bodied wine like a cotes…

Here is how to make this tasty appetizer on so many deli bars. Stuffed Cherry Peppers 8-12 hot cherry peppers 4-5 slices provolone cheese Prosciutto Dried oregano Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp red …

Recently we got a shipment of venison from Jamie Anne at A Dash of Domestic, whose father hunts. Thanks to that, and my love affair with wild duck, we are now wild game junkies. I came up with this…

We hate the idea of throwing out green tomatoes. With the tomato plants finally pulled, we know it will be months before we see them again. But we also can’t fry them all. Some are simply too…

Recently I made pastrami and though I hate to admit it, after a week of awesome sandwiches I was beginning to get a little tired of the smoked delight. So I decided to make corned beef hash with th…

With the Rufus Guide as our excuse inspiration, we make a lot of cocktails. Hands down this is the best one we’ve had in awhile. Nondrinkers can use lemonade and ditch the vodka. Blackberry S…

Here is my recipe for Italian sausage. I usually make this type of sausage when the quality of the pork is not as good. The large assortment of spice helps to improve cuts of meat that have more si…

Wait, you didn’t think we’d skip cocktail night during Tomato Week did you? It’s summer. Make your own tomato juice while you still can. Tomato Martinis 2 ounces gin 1/2 ounce dry…

This snack was inspired by two things. For starters, we often see recipes for roasted chick peas and never, ever make them. (Forgot to soak the beans again!) Second, the bar at our favorite restaur…

Normally I prefer steak to just be served plain. Every once in awhile, usually on my birthday, it gets a little fancy. The sauce is fantastic and very easy to make. When the meat is done cooking an…

I love taco nights although not for the tacos. True, the tacos are good. Actually the tacos are great, but I always look forward to refried beans. Of course my refried beans do not come out of a ca…