AWE = Art, Wellbeing and Edibles.
Once in a while during my occasional extrovert phases I would love my hair to be this color of deep, rich, delicious, Carmine red. I looked up the many shades of red to find the best name for this particular color of paprika and Carmine from the aluminium salt …
Our monsoon rainfalls in the upper Midwest this summer have resulted in a bumper year for mushrooms….we take those silver linings whenever we can. The Northeastern U.S. on the other hand has probably experienced a crummy year for the moisture-loving fungi, I believe the Midwest has squeezed every …
Green and creamy-frothy on the tables of our favorite little Mexican restaurants, we have spent many a delicious moment speculating about the ingredients of this green condiment. Emulsified oil, figured that out. Some kind of chile, yep. And beyond that we weren’t sure if …
Last weekend we ventured up to the old haunts of Minneapolis to help my dear friend Julie JAO with an evening of speed painting performance in her studio. Some of you may have seen her speed painting the signature stick figures but now she’s moved …
I love dips. I love spreadable flavor that I can eat on a cracker. Maybe it’s the social aspect of which it hints—Spreadable and Dip-able concoctions often mean time with friends and wine…and that just sounds like fun. We first tried a version …
Last week my friend Frances hosted an afternoon of German star-making at her studio in the country. These crafty projects can be so relaxing and even addicting. You need to concentrate enough to follow the steps in the correct order, and this necessary …
Apple Cider Syrup was the first recipe posted on this site and it seemed like time to give it another round. Last weekend I was one of the guest demo chefs for the local foods extravaganza “FEAST” in Rochester, Minnesota and the obvious item for …
There is something about the slow cook that sweetens everyone. Roasted garlic becomes less sharp, deeper, sweeter, and in some ways more powerful of a flavor in dishes— a more enduring flavor. Roasting is also a way you can preserve garlic to extend its life. Maybe …
Za’atar is a delicious and versatile condiment originating in the fertile crescent of the Middle East. It generally is made from oregano, sesame seeds and salt, and variations may include other herbs like sumac, savory, cumin, coriander, fennel or caraway. Like so many regional condiments or sauces, …
Is ‘herb’ a verb? It is now. I was recently asked to provide some desserts for a party in late September, a request I usually decline because I’m not baking-inclined, but they wanted the entire event to be gluten free so my empathetic …
It’s kind of a chutney, kind of a móle, kind of a ketchup…don’t let the label inhibit you. It’s tasty and it goes well with warm things, that’s the most important thing to remember. Anchos are dried Poblano peppers. They generally have only the …
Colorful tasty vegetables or herbs ground into a paste…’pesto’ is a loosely used term. The word pesto comes from the Italian word ‘pestare’ meaning to pound or crush. Texture has such an impact on the way we perceive and taste a dish, and crushing or pureeing helps create a …
Spending time in Mexico led me to believe that all salsa verdes included tomatillos. But no…if you follow the latin-based language back across the ocean salsa verde looks a tad different. Still ground into a potent green sauce, Italian and Spanish salsa verde usually involves anchovies, …
The International Paralympic Committee’s Nordic Skiing World Championships, right here at Telemark Lodge in Cable, Wisconsin near our winter home-base. The paralympic equivalent to the World Cup, this is the championships for athletes from around the world competing in biathlon and cross country skiing. …
If it’s going to continue to be gray outside, it might as well snow a little—and it is! White flakes are showering down and I’m grateful for even a small change in these overcast days. Here’s a tasty and healthy little snack for the holidays. …
This is a stone tile creation by Scott of limestone and onyx. A fun little bathroom design and another photo distraction to entertain—like the previews before the movies, sometimes they are the most captivating part of the show! Speaking of star anise… A couple of months ago I heard …
I often trot through our nearby wooded parks and recently stumbled upon this fire pit. Most of our trails were built by volunteers in the mountain biking community…can you tell? Knowing some of this crew I would guess this pit will be used well into the winter …
(A visit to the Niagara Escarpment, more photos below…) Close your eyes and open your mind to let ketchup become more than you think it is. That red puree we think we know so well has origins in China (doesn’t nearly everything?!?) as a …
… Fresh tarragon with sugar was not my original idea, but reading it in a menu convinced me this was the meal I wanted to attempt to recreate for a Scandinavian dinner for my friend Dennis, the generous Dane who loves to host elaborate festivities. The Faroe Islands …
Skewered roasted tofu with a peanut sauce is one of my all time favorites for catering, and it’s pretty awesome for eating at home too. When I began this site I wanted to start with some of my crowd-pleaser recipes, dishes that I …