Watermelon Blueberry Gazpacho

Happy summer! I cannot even believe it has been over a month since my last post. My writing life recently veered off onto a photographing curve, (the flowers have been stunning in the morning light!) and I’ve been eating so simply (but deliciously) that recipe blog posts have really not been warranted. I first tasted…

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…

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…

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….

Chocolate Plum Buckle with Honey Whipped Cream

Oh, my my. Feeling decadent and rich with a sack full of fragrant plums, I decided to experiment the other night. Chocolate and spice and everything nice – gluten free, dreamy…. Summer is the time when you particularly get to choose to bake – or if you are attending family reunions, perhaps get to partake – of…

Coconut Rice, Peach and Ginger Dessert Spring Rolls

Roll #2. A smash hit at a birthday potluck badminton croquet party in the park yesterday. DESSERT spring rolls, delicious, with a spicy fruity dipping sauce to go with. What a beautiful day it was….it truly is finally spring time here in Paonia. Spring ROLL time. I’ve been on a spring roll roll the last…

Spring Crepes with Fresh Goat’s Milk Yogurt and Maple Sugared Violets

A sweet dessert to stun your loved ones with the fantastic fact that it is Spring… …started out like this, here’s the Girls giving some smooches… (take a visit to Rain Crow Farm in my herbed goat cheese au poivre post): …and then into the kitchen to make a batch of tangy, luscious goat’s milk yogurt….

More Snow! and the “Cozy Factor” of Barbequed Baked Beans

We’ve had a lot of snow! Coming inside after shoveling for the 4th or 5th day in a row, invigorated by the cold, the idea popped in my head to make a batch of baked beans with my favorite barbeque sauce recipe, hailing back to the days of cooking demos at Happy Heart Farm CSA in Ft. Collins,…