In The Garden 
Happiness is a bowl of Sungolds mid-winter
Golden orbs of sublime flavor these Sungolds. We love August and September when their vines are loaded and tomato grazing is prime. I return to the house after such a foray – me and my tomatoes alone at last – with my culinary soul satisfied and hands tinged with tomatoes’ invisible aura, the pigment that, [...]
Full o’ Beans, Wax & Green
My grandmother said that I was full of beans whenever she thought I was stretching the truth or misbehaving. Which, of course, wasn’t that often.
I’m full of beans at the moment and more on the way. I went on a bean-planting binge in May and planted four vines along with that many bush beans. What [...]
Roasted Garlic Bliss . . . or Beast
For me it’s bliss and our garden has just produced a healthy harvest of Duganski & Oregon Blue. It was touch and go there for a while, but it’s back and we’re thinking garlic feast. Some might say beast.
Turn the page if you have an aversion to garlic. One of my friends does and when [...]
Tuna & Bean Italian Summer Salad
I knew that I liked both tuna and beans. Separately. But epiphanies happen and in Venice last spring we had tuna and cannellini beans together in a salad for lunch. Loved it. Insalata di tonno e fagioli. My Italian Connection again. Our friend Mac made it for our lunch one day just before we headed [...]
Montmerency Cherry Joy
Life is not a bowl, but a frosty glass of cherries, hot pink and straight from the garden or the farmers market. Last year I read about the health benefits of Montmorency cherries and that their juice is prized, which might be true of any sour cherry. A sleep aid, better [...]
Emmer Farro Salad All Dressed Up In Fresh Herbs
Herbs in the garden set the scene for culinary magic. In this case emmer farro is part of the wizardry.
When I planted an herb garden just outside the back door a dozen years ago I had no idea how much it would simplify and influence our cooking, the ability to have what [...]
Wilted Lettuce Salad, Wicked Good
Lettuce loves it when it rains every other day, loves the cool, it dances a jig and flaunts bedazzling arrays of emerald and lime green, dark purple and bronze. The lettuce patch shares a little something with the slugs – any, that is, who survive Bob’s headlamped nighttime slug patrols – and still there’s plenty. [...]
Boozy Mint Muddling
Okay you muddlers, May is the beginning of mint season here in the Pacific Northwest. Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May, can be a little early especially if it’s been cool but we can usually scrounge up enough for a couple of juleps. In case you’re wondering, a muddler is the tool a [...]
Brassica’s Final Bow: Florets
We’ll get to the Mac & Cheese in a minute, but first . . . if you have the chance to get Brassica florets at the Farmer’s Market – GO FOR IT! A lot of us, myself included, didn’t know how delicious they are. Kale, indeed many Brassicas, are great winter vegetables, but their florets [...]
What’s Not to Love About Rhubarb
I know I’m not the only one who’s ignored rhubarb plants inherited from a previous landowner. Still, there’s no excuse for my neglect over ten years before finally figuring out what a goldmine I have growing right in my own backyard. I’m not talking about one little ratty plant but a stand of 6 or [...]
