With mud in view the garden called out to me like a siren this gray February day, snow clouds descending and Mount Lamborn no longer in view. Everything has been covered in white here for weeks, and coming home from a five day trip I smiled, seeing brown leaves and black earth, re-emerging through the melting snow. Once out…
Tag: Seasonal cooking
Garbanzo Artichoke Sliders with Sundried Tomatoes, Lemon Basil Pesto and Sweet Potato “Buns”
Believe it or not – with the Slider Craze that’s sweeping the globe, these are my first ever, though a very tasty jumping off point – sliders. Of course they are untraditional, because that’s just how it generally works in Pachamama’s cocina. Some folks steeped in slider tradition may even not believe they ARE sliders, but…
Bee Heaven, Elderberry Syrup, and a Sunrise Smoothie
When I first visited this amazing Paonia, Colorado home in July of 2011, and was taken into the back yard, I fell in love. The grape bower made of old tree limbs, with a shady alcove to sit underneath -looking out at a rich garden plot beyond. And the towering bushes framing the garden, were loaded, LOADED with elderberries….
Pumpkin Cake Exotica with Dark Chocolate, Chili and Dried Plum Filling
Rain and snow were all mixed up in the weather report today, making my morning walk full of drips and slips. I was in a fine mood even so, running into a friend or two along my route. The melting snow revealed bits of green beneath, and my steps were light. Then I had the inspiration…
Chipotle Smoked Cheddar Mac and Cheese
When the temperatures dip below zero for over a week straight, the spice factor of dishes made in my kitchen spikes way up. And isn’t this as it should be? With a dish of chipotle smoked cheddar mac and cheese set on the table, everybody warms up and starts feeling lively again. This recipe, as you…
Beet Chips with Kosher Salt and Rosemary
The temperature was -4 early this morning, with a very thin, fine powder of new snow over all. The garden is buried, with my popcorn and cranberry garland from the holidays swinging forlornly from some branches out back. Sweet juncos, a chickadee or two, and flickers will soon be flitting about in spite of the frigid…
Stuffed Cabbage with Smoked Cheddar Mashers, Tempeh Italian Sausage and Heirloom Tomato Sauce
My New Year’s wish for you: May you stay open hearted, full of compassion, grounded – and make the choice to eat good food! Keep Pachamama in mind with love as you walk through your days, and choose what you eat. And now for that good food. To me, this vegetarian recipe is an absolutely ideal winter dish. Your…
Two Lovely Shortbread Cookies: Glazed Lavender + Toasted Hazelnut Clementine
One holiday tradition I always look forward to is baking. Yesterday it was my recipe for the absolutely delectable, intriguing – and beguiling! – glazed lavender shortbread, first notably served at a winter solstice party (2007, the year the tradition began) to raves and immediate requests for the recipe. The shortbread is buttery and offers the mellow, unexpected…
First Snow of the Season …. and Gingerbread Waffles
I drove home last night down and off the mesa in a snowstorm, huge flakes in massive flowing patterns in front of the head lights. This morning, I loved waking early and pulling up the blinds. The first snow of the season always gives me a burst of excitement. Then, the sun returned, light snow…
Pumpkin Dal…and the North Fork Valley International Food Club
Last year a group of foodie friends in the Paonia area created the North Fork Valley International Food Club, a monthly gathering featuring cuisines of the world, selected by the whim of a dial spun on a roulette board of a couple dozen different countries. From Thai, to German, French, Moroccan, Brazilian, Japanese and many more, the chosen Saturday…
Buckwheat Elderberry Muffins with Lemon and Ginger ~ November Tea Time
November remembers…..ahhhh….. June in the garden: ….and the months flew by…. right into the last elderberries of the season. I first created this recipe last year, and wanted to pull it out again. If you don’t have access to elderberries, try dried currants, or chopped dried cranberries. Actually, these muffins would be great with a mix…
Butternut Squash Soup with Leeks, Anaheim Chilies and Dried Italian Plums
Fall. I am finally up for it! I made an autumn wreath from fresh sage and fire thorn berry clusters the other day for my front door. Welcome! After a kinda unsettling bout of digestive funk, I am finally comin’ round, I hope, and having some energy to get back into my work, harvest nearly…
Amaretto Pear Preserves
Pears and almonds go together like childhood friends. It’s true! This pear preserves recipe has a wonderful depth added by flavoring with a little Amaretto (Italian almond liqueur), fresh nutmeg, and honey. So easy, and lushly delicious, like these pears it was made from this afternoon. Assembling ingredients for a recipe like this brings a smile….
I Had Dreams of This Tostada….
Yes, I dreamt up this tostada, fully awake but mesmerized, standing in and meandering through the fall garden, creating in my head with what was possible – given ingredients in my pantry and what could be harvested that day. Autumn in the garden is soo beautiful, with goldfinches landing on ripe sunflower heads, making them bob and…
Pachamama's Beautiful Food 