Making a wholesome, no added sugar treat for yourself and your family couldn't be easier! Too many food items you find in the store are full of ingredients that belong in a toxic waste depository rather than in a food item that's consumed by kids or grownups.  Fruit … Continue reading →
Aneto: The World’s Most Exceptional Broth
Artes, Spain. Â This small town on the outskirts of Barcelona is home to Aneto, a broth manufacturer named after the tallest mountain in the Pyrenees. Â Unless you live in Spain or frequent specialty shops in the U.S. you've likely never heard of this broth manufacturer. Â But … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 4: Light At the End of the Tunnel
Welcome to the fourth installment of The Micro-dwelling Project! Â To recap, we purchased a historic 104 year old house the end of last year. The nearly 8 acre property has a tiny guesthouse on it and we've been working on transforming it into a contemporary and efficient … Continue reading →
How To Can Peaches (Without Sugar, With Syrup or Honey)
Learn how to can peaches with syrup, honey or without any sugar at all and then sit back and enjoy your labor of love all year long! Canning is such a great way of preserving food to enjoy over the long haul. Â Buy your produce locally when it's in season, can it and … Continue reading →
Protecting Our Home & Property with D-Link Home Security Cameras (+ Camera Giveaway!)
I received these D-Link cameras for review.  All opinions are entirely my own. I'm not an overly paranoid kind of person.  But I'm also not excessively carefree or naive.  I'm not oblivious to the fact that there are people out there, even in the best and otherwise … Continue reading →
Pickled Turnips
Pickling is a method of preservation that dates back to Neolithic times around 7000 BC. Â During this anaerobic fermentation process strange and wonderful things happen that transform the original product into something quite different. Â And very healthy with all those … Continue reading →
Wild Foraging: How To Identify, Harvest and Prepare Sea Beans (aka, Sea Asparagus or Samphire)
This edible wild vegetable is known by many names but its scientific name is Salicornia and it's a succulent that is native to North America, Europe, South Asia and South Africa.  In the United States they're commonly known as "sea beans" and in British Columbia, Canada … Continue reading →
Travel Safely with Pacsafe
I received these items from PacSafe for review. Â All opinions are entirely my own. Whether you're traveling to a far away country or sightseeing locally, nothing can ruin an otherwise lovely trip like having your your laptop, camera, phone, money, passport or other … Continue reading →
Burmese Yellow Split Pea Fritters (Baya Kyaw)
If yellow split peas aren't something you use very often, get ready for a fabulous way to put them to use! Crispy, spicy and flavorful, these Burmese yellow split pea fritters can be served as appetizers or the main course with your favorite dipping sauce. Â They can also … Continue reading →
How To Can Cherries, Dehydrate Them & Use The Pits
It's cherry season! Â And that means bounteous harvests of gorgeous, plump, juicy globes of sweetness. We picked up two bulk loads of Washington cherries, a combination of Rainier and Bing, 80 pounds total! I've been preparing them several ways: Â Canning, dehydrating, … Continue reading →
Gluten Free Crepes
I think I could eat crepes all day if I let myself. Â (It's a good thing I don't.) Â But it sure would be easy to. Â Have you ever had crepes filled with Nutella and and spread with some whipped cream? Â Or simply filled with strawberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar? … Continue reading →
30″ Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker Review & Giveaway
I received this Masterbuilt smoker for review.  As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Masterbuilt, where have you been all my life? I've had two other smokers before, both of which I used a grand total of...two times.  Ever.  They were a hassle to use, had … Continue reading →
WORX Turbine 56V Cordless Leaf Blower & Gutter Cleaning Kit Review
We were provided with this product for review. Â As always, all opinions are entirely my own. When my husband was 16 years old guess what he requested for Christmas? Â Of all the things a 16 year old could request, he asked for a leaf blower. Â And he got one. Â (You know … Continue reading →
Sicilian-Style Grilled Tuna Steaks
A mouthwatering Sicilian-style grilled tuna steaks recipe! Grilled to perfection and topped with the flavors of sun-kissed Sicily. It's easy and delicious! A special thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post From my early childhood trips to Italy's beaches to … Continue reading →
Bringing Vacation Home: Towel Warmers
We received these Amba towel warmers for review. Â All opinions are entirely my own. This series looks at ways you can enjoy that "luxury hotel experience" right in your own home. Â Today we're focusing on towel warmers. Â The great thing about towel warmers is they … Continue reading →
Bringing Vacation Home: Quality Bath Linens
We received these Matouk linens for review.  As always all opinions are entirely my own. This is part of our series discussing ways to enjoy aspects of those luxury getaways right at home. We do regular travel work for The Daring Gourmet and three things we always … Continue reading →
Wild Foraging: How To Identify, Harvest, Store and Use Horsetail
What is horsetail? Horsetail is a perennial plant that grows in areas of North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  Also known as puzzle plant and scouring rush.  It's also called puzzle plant because all varieties of horsetail have hollow jointed … Continue reading →
Wild Foraging: How To Identify, Harvest and Prepare Bracken Fern (Fiddleheads)
The bracken fern: Â It tastes like asparagus and almonds you can pick it wild on hillsides, open pastures, burned-over areas, in woodlands and other shaded places. Â It's pretty much everywhere! The young immature fronds of bracken ferns are known as fiddleheads and were … Continue reading →
Roasted Sweet Potato Fettuccine Alfredo
Even though the holidays are long over, our consumption of sweet potatoes doesn't have to be - nor should it be! Find out more about the U.S.history of sweet potato consumption and why you should be eating them throughout the year in my post on Curried Sweet Potato Soup … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 3: Are We There Yet?
Here we are with Part 3 of this project of transforming the tiny guesthouse on our historic 1912 property. I can relate to the unrelenting whining that comes from the back seat of many a family car: Â "Are we there yet???" It's been feeling like we're NEVER going to get … Continue reading →
Rhubarb Flowers: What To Do When Rhubarb Bolts and Goes To Seed
It's very early spring and you walk out to your rhubarb patch for the first time since last Fall and gasp: Â Your rhubarb has already bolted. Usually when edible plants go to seed it's the end of those plants, at least for that season. Â But when it happens to rhubarb there … Continue reading →
Valencian Paella Recipe
Thank you to Culinary Collective for sponsoring this post It's no wonder paella is the national dish of Spain because this delicious and drop-dead gorgeous dish is simply phenomenal! This Valencian paella recipe is a one-pot rice dish that's easy to make and perfect for … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project: Part 2
Welcome to Part Two of The Micro-dwelling Project! Â If you didn't catch the first installation, here it is: The Micro-dwelling Project Part I. Â This series features our complete renovation of the small guesthouse on our historic 104 year old property to convert it into a … Continue reading →
KoMo Classic Grain Mill Review + Giveaway
I received this KoMo grain mill for review. Â As always, all opinions are entirely my own. The KoMo Classic Grain Mill has changed my life. Okay, that's a little dramatic, but in some aspects it really has. When I first saw the KoMo Classic Grain Mill, admired … Continue reading →
Curried Roasted Sweet Potato Soup with Tarragon
I love creamy soups.  Their creamy texture and vibrant flavors all spell "comfort" to me. This deliciously rich and seductively silky soup showcases the sweet potato.  An ancient tuber, sweet potatoes have been radiocarbon-dated in the Cook Islands to 1000 AD and are thought … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project: Part 1
I recently introduced you to our "new" 104 year old home that we moved into 4 weeks ago. Â We're still in the process of getting settled and it's going to take some time yet. But even before we've settled, we're already starting a new project. We have several … Continue reading →
French Beef Stew with Old-Fashioned Vegetables
The French really know how to make great stews. Â Here is one of them and it uses a method similar to that of German Sauerbraten and corned beef to achieve both an exquisitely tangy flavor and a lusciously tender beef. Many of you have already been introduced to my French … Continue reading →
How To Make a Bouquet Garni
If you like French food and you want to cook like the French, you have to become acquainted with the Bouquet Garni. Â An indispensable part of French cuisine, the bouquet garni is quick and simple to put together and will do wonders for your food. Plus, I've got some great … Continue reading →
How To Make Homemade Canned Boston Baked Beans or Pork and Beans
Here's the thing, if I'm going to make the effort to can I like to make a huge batch to make my efforts worth it, because it doesn't take any longer to do so. Â But it does save me the time of making a second batch later. Â But, you need a really large stock pot. The best … Continue reading →
New Year Slimming Through Turkey Swapping
It's that time of year! Â We've indulged through the holidays, our clothes are feeling a bit tighter, and it's time to shed some POUNDS! I've already been hitting the treadmill and weights and watching more carefully what I eat. Â What are you tips for purging those extra … Continue reading →
French Entertaining Part II: Nouvelle Cuisine (+ Alexian/Le Creuset Giveaway!)
I've teamed up with Alexian to bring you this post. Welcome back to Part II of French Entertaining! In our last post French guest cook Sandrine Vannson enlightened us on French entertaining "country style" with Duck Rillette and Pheasant & Rosemary … Continue reading →
Fettuccine Alfredo
Creamy, buttery, and irresistibly delicious, this Fettuccine Alfredo recipe is the ultimate comfort food!  Quick and easy to prepare, it's equally perfect for a busy weeknight or for a romantic night in! Thank you to Bon Appetit for sponsoring this post! The best … Continue reading →
Cutco Knives Review & Giveaway (a $261 knife set!)
I received some Cutco knives for review and I am impressed.  If you don't already own some Cutco knives you likely know someone who does.  I was introduced to Cutco for the first time about 5 years ago when we were visiting my brother-in-law and I saw his collection.  He … Continue reading →
Chicken Barley Soup
Incredibly flavorful and packed with nutrients, this wonderful Chicken Barley Soup recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Make double batch while you're at it because it's great for leftovers or freezing! The weather here is crazy today!  A total downpour of … Continue reading →
Salmon Risotto with Preserved Lemon
This dish is perfect for a family meal, a couple's night at home, or a dinner party. Risotto uses a special rice, most commonly arborio, and it cooks up into a deliciously creamy texture with the the perfect touch of chewiness. Risotto has a bit of an upscale image … Continue reading →
French Entertaining “Country Style” + Alexian/Le Creuset Giveaway!
I've teamed up with Alexian to bring you this delicious post! I recently had the opportunity to try some amazing products from ALEXIAN.  Let me tell you a little about them.  Alexian is America's premier producer of the finest pâtés and mousses all made with the finest, … Continue reading →
Lemon Lime Zucchini Cake with Lemon Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
Our garden yielded a ton of squash this Summer. Â A ton. Â And we've just harvested what is hopefully the last bunch. Â Fingers crossed. That said, this overabundance of squash enabled/forced me to get creative in finding news ways of using it. Â So as I dragged in the … Continue reading →
Pressure Canner Chili Con Carne
I've been canning for several years, but only using the water-bath method. Â So that means I've mostly been making jams, relishes, chutneys, pickles, salsas and other high-acidic foods that are safe for water-bath canning. Â For most other things you have to have a pressure … Continue reading →
Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa
I love cooking with a variety of grains and quinoa is one that I particularly enjoy experimenting with. Â Not because it's my favorite tasting grain, but because it's the healthiest grain on the planet, the only grain that is a complete protein. Â I like to use quinoa in … Continue reading →
White Bean & Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Dip
I looooove a good dip.  Growing up I always had my staple favorites:  French onion, sour cream & onion, a variety of cheese dips, and bean dip.  In recent years I've really enjoyed experimenting with a variety of flavors and mediums.  Here is one we really enjoyed and … Continue reading →