Grains 
Spring Forward to Homemade Cereal
This morning we were all supposed to “spring forward” for Daylight Savings Time. This is a practice filled with reluctance and controversy at our house. Why exactly are we doing this again? When I was growing up, the myth I heard was that it gave farmers extra time to work in the fields at the [...]
I Need No-Knead Bread
Suddenly all of those indoor projects I vowed to do over the winter are being put on the back burner. Spring is teasing me in its usual fits and starts fashion. I’ve been conditioned by the Northwest spring — when the sun is shining, I’d better go outside because who knows how long it will [...]
Earthy Romance: Wild Mushrooms & Farro
I made soup today with dried wild mushrooms and farro. It may be the color of oatmeal, but trust me, this is not your morning mush. It’s a sexy soup for nighttime, candlelight and romance, which is in the air this week. Then again, it’s just soup for a Monday night. Mushrooms in the wild [...]
Countertop Crops: Grow Some Sprouts
Once I start thinking about seeds and spring, it’s hard to stop. Maybe it’s time to pull out the sprouter and start a crop of sprouts — talk about practically-instant-gratification. In just 2 – 4 days, you can grow enough to whip up a batch of sprout burgers or to sprinkle on just about anything. [...]
On Not Going Cold Turkey
If you have been listening to what Michael Pollan has been saying, you know that eating less meat and more plants is healthier for us and our planet. With the holidays quickly approaching, this may not be the easiest time to change steadfast traditions like a 24-hour-Thanksgiving-turkey-binge. I am starting to think about meat more [...]
Get To Know Risotto
Superb with squash, mushrooms, marinara, kale, chicken, almost any cheese, but a certain mystique surrounds the making of risotto. It’s misrepresented, I think, as being fussy and time-consuming.
I would argue that it’s fairly simple, but does require the cook’s attention for 30 minutes or so. OK, maybe that is a bit fussy. [...]
Sweeten the Deal: Chocolate Zucchini Bread
In a recent article in the NY Times, Six Food Mistakes Parents Make , the first mistake listed was not involving kids in food preparation. Researchers at Teachers College at Columbia University found that the more kids are allowed to participate in cooking, the more likely they are to try new foods. Add harvesting [...]
I Like Bread ‘n Butter
Coming back from vacation is hard enough for adults, but what do you do with the kids after days of nonstop fun and activities? Time to pull out that bag of flour I bought from Bluebird Grain Farms and put them to “work” baking bread.
I’ve been feeling pretty lazy and jet-lagged myself and didn’t want [...]
Sip and Stir: Farro Risotto
Farro Risotto is a great example of a slow food. You can create a satisfying local meal while taking time to enjoy your life. Once you have it started, you can pour a glass of wine, savor the company of family and friends while giving it an occasional stir. Both the process and the product [...]
Rice is Nice, but Farro is Local
If you make the decision to eat a local diet, one of the biggest issues you are likely confront is how to substitute some of your favorite foods with something grown locally. It can be fun to sit around and speculate about how you are going to replace any given item. The whole idea tends [...]
