Cream of Roast Apple and Carrot Coconut Curry Soup

In this in-between-crazy-mixed-up-seasonal-phase here in northern Colorado, the calendar says spring, and the first garden plantings have begun. Then two nights in a row we had winter – skiffs, dustings, plus measurable snows! Irregardless, seventeen hills of high yield russet potatoes; red, yellow and white onions; snow, sugar snap and early shelling peas; plus mesclun…

Tempeh and Wild Mushroom Stroganoff

Stroganoff….. with a little twist. I’ve been making this recipe for years. At times, in restaurant and guest ranch venues, it has been made with elk or venison. This recipe is a crowd pleaser. And rich, earthy fragrances fill the kitchen. What more could you ask for? 2 pkg. traditional tempeh, cut into thin slices 8…

Scalloped Kale and Yukon Gold Potatoes

Late summer, I was glad one of my Paonia garden kale transplants had thrived in the new garden. Baked a little summer comfort food dish one of those kinda-chilly-for-August nights. And an even more excellent dish now in winter months. Matched with a pile of sliced taters, the earthiness of the kale melds with ((butter!!))…

Lemon Verbena Shortbread

Doesn’t the smell of lemon verbena make you just swoon with delight?! This summer our plant in the garden grew by leaps and bounds, and I would literally stick my face in it, rub my fingers in the leaves and breathe in the scent in deep, luxurious breaths. When I traveled to Ecuador in the…

Cabernet Chocolate Truffles

Luscious, incredible, creamy, ecstasy invoking truffles… Flavored lovingly with one of the most intoxicating fragrances – the zested clementine… – and a good splash of Cabernet, simmered down to virtually a syrup, deepening the truffles with rich, concentrated, elusive mmmm. Having a little sip of wine as the afternoon rolled into evening, I could not resist making these…

Leek Gratin with Asiago Jarlsberg Mornay Sauce

Late fall and winter actually become easier to bear when it’s finally snowing, and just beautiful to be outside! What eases the early darkness of this season even more for me is, coming back indoors, watching a fire in the fireplace, and – let’s face it – the amazing foods of the season! Freshly pulled leeks are…

The Revelation of Home-made Oat Milk

A few days ago, I ran out of my customary carton of almond milk, early in the morning. A gray, blustery fall day. My breakfast appetite was yearning for oatmeal and honey, but without milk, hmmm! What to do? My answer to this question has created a revelation in my kitchen. Home made oat milk….

The Celestial Crepe

O! To the Yin and Yang of life! To these delicious GF crepes! Upon a closer look of this kitchen creation, a deep understanding of stars, orbits and all kinds of celestial goings on takes place when you behold. Do you doubt?! Look! True amazement in a humble crepe! I made just one yin yang crepe (the tail ends of…

Black Bean, Zucchini Pineapple Chili

Nearly blocked off from town by closed-due-to-the-flood highways, my pioneer spirit from a past life kicked in, high gear. So grateful we are not in the immediate path of high waters, it felt like a just right day to make chili with what was on hand. Grateful for the garden – for zucchini, and jalapenos….

Curry Pickles of Joy

Crunchy and absolutely delicious, these are the curry pickles of summer. Yes, these may be the pickles of your dreams. For one thing, if you grow salad style cucumbers, (we have a “burp-less” variety) and your vines are doing VERY WELL this season like ours are, you may at this point of the season have…