Lazy Jim’s Tips for Drying Hot Peppers
As usual, we got a little carried away with planting hot peppers last summer. We like hot peppers and use them liberally in cooking. We also like to grow them because they are attractive, well-behaved...
View ArticleMake the most of herbs by harvesting and preserving
Herb gardens are a fun way to ease into gardening. Most herbs are undemanding and hardy; for the most part, herbs will grow in poor soil, do well in sun and partly sunny spots, and don’t mind the dry...
View ArticleGardener’s Brunch: Greens, Eggs — No Ham
This time of year is a turning point in the garden. The plants are not just pretty but, increasingly, a source for real food. Today we had a meal based on greens that came straight from the garden. For...
View ArticleA Day of Tomato Meals, with Recipes
If there were a wacky new rule implemented or a Survivor-style reality show for gardeners where I could only grow one vegetable, I would, without a doubt, choose the tomato. The tomato is the backbone...
View ArticleFreezing jalapenos guarantees warmth for winter meals with jalapeno cornbread
We have enjoyed a great crop of jalapeno peppers this season. I love putting fresh jalapenos in salsa, in bean dishes like chili or refried beans, and on pizza. I thought we were making progress on...
View ArticlePretty and Versatile Kale Dresses Up Szechuan Chicken
My earliest encounter with kale years ago was watching as my aunt used leaves of kale to decorate a plate of luncheon meats for a party. She had a background in catering, so she knew how to cover the...
View ArticleNew Year’s Eve Feast
The best trick I know for creating great meals is to start with great ingrediants. Jan and I stayed home this year and busied ourselves in the kitchen. First course was brussel sprouts with heavy cream...
View Article6 reasons why every garden should have rhubarb
In June, Rhubarb is in the fullest stages of production in our backyard gardens. We like rhubarb so much that we think every garden should have some. Here are some reasons why: 1. Rhubarb is a lovely...
View ArticlePoetry, Old Lovers, and Watermelon Pickles
Janice and I were married at an age so young we should barely have been granted a driver’s license let alone a marriage license. But even at that obscenely young age, we found when we merged our...
View ArticleWatermelon Pickles Recipe
Last week, we made our first-ever watermelon pickles. I used a watermelon pickles recipe that my sister gave me some years ago, and I also consulted our Ball Blue Book, keeping in mind the principles...
View Article
