Years ago, I’d been studying with indigenous healers from South America here in the states. A trip to their homeland had not quite manifested, but I had to get out adventuring somewhere. My solo camping trip to Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon inspired my spirit, and inspired this satisfying main dish salad. I made three hearty…
Category: Cooking
Haiku for a Tomato
Salsa, concasse ketchup, paste: tomato juice smeared, over my face
Watermelon Jalapeno Slushies and Granita + a Few Good Mom Maxims
It’s been hot. Incredibly. STILL SUMMER. 🙂 I bought a watermelon a few days ago, and in my mom’s words, I thought today – “did your eyes get bigger than your tummy?” Sometimes I go on a spree, remembering all the goofy-wonderful maxims our mom would say. “You girls would forget your heads if they weren’t…
Roast Beet Caprese, and a Cup of Sangria
Every once in a while I have to throw a party. And go all out. Everybody dropped by that were in the neighborhood. You may remember — salivating — along with my friends when you saw this rose tea infused deglet noor date chocolate fudge in a post awhile back. And after a cup or two…
Of Butternut Squash Coconut Curry Soup, Trumpet Vines and Impermanence
Good morning from my porch in Paonia … there’s just a bit of a chill. Sit and face the sun, breathe in birdsong, and train whistle. Coffee. I can imagine the winter squash ripening … not in my garden this year, but just like this photo from the 2012 patch. I have to say, growing squash gives…
Dominguez Canyon Jalapeno Peach Hot Sauce
Peach season has come ’round again. This year, we had such a hot and cold spring that early blossoming orchards in the North Fork Valley where I live have been mostly ill-fated. But to the west, on the Colorado – Utah border, peaches have popped. Luscious, organic peaches from Dominguez Canyon …. I love to…
Porcini (King Bolete) and Penne in Champagne Chevre Cream Sauce alongside a Little Tale of Wild Foraging
From forage to fork. My friend Lynn burst out with an inspired “I want to get OUT THERE 7 am tomorrow!” as we left a fascinating talk by Eugenia Bone on her absolute adoration of fungus and her book Mycophilia Tuesday evening in Paonia, Colorado. She was referring to up, up THERE in the high…
On the way to the proverbial Desert Island? Make sure I stash the bag of Smoked Paprika (with a recipe for Heart Shaped Goat Cheese)
I have to tell you that smoked paprika is top-of-the-charts-almost-aphrodisiac in my life right now. And I have the photo to prove it. Noooo, it’s not that kind of photo. But it sums up my feelings quite clearly. Behind the camera here, I am bursting into song about my love of this homemade, smoked paprika…
The Glorious Green Smoothie
So simple, so delicious. Variations – all with scrumptious kale, have been my “first breakfast” for several weeks. “Second breakfasts” are usually local eggs and potatoes, or home-made cornbread and honey, or, whim of the moment…. When I started out my green smoothie routine I was using kale still available from the garden – a sweet mix…
Glass Gem Corn Grinding Day
One of my wildest garden to table dreams came true. We grew a package of Glass Gem corn from Native Seeds out of New Mexico – and the harvest was a kaleidoscope, a celebration of awe. I posted ecstatically about this corn a while back in The First Magical Ear. But I am so happy to…
Plums – under a rain soaked sky
I have been eating. Truly. I have been thinking about recipes, and making them, and then sitting down somewhere and actually eating them. But my recent move – back to the countryside ’round Paonia, Colorado from the city, has added fullness and textures and people that are being juggled, and huggled, sifted and arranged. I…
My New Farmhouse Kitchen
My spirit has pulled me this way and that in the last year or so. And I find myself, now, back home again. In the valley. Just outside Paonia, Colorado. It’s a little bit like heaven on earth. And a bit of a story, too. The short version is, my heart won out over –…
A Magical Menu for Easter Sunday
My son and daughter in law were able to get together with me yesterday, for the first time in a couple of months. It was great to spend time and catch up with them, cooking and laughing our time away. Went all out with a French-Italian vegetarian menu…it was so much fun creating. Took me…
Fresh Pea Dreaming ~ Spring Pea, Fennel and Orange Soup with Pernod Whipped Cream
Do you love fresh peas as much as I do? Maybe it’s their sweet flavor, or their ability to grow all cozied up, side by side in their beautiful pods… all I can say, in excitement of the new growing season is Bring them on! I’m testing out recipes now, (with frozen peas – still…
