Recent Posts

Potato Rutabaga Gratin

Potato Rutabaga Gratin

 .   Bully at the front door! Pisten Bully, that is.  Eric Anderson on an early morning grooming ride and clearing a path for us after the heavy snowfall.  I can’t resist showing a few more pics from Coleen Sullins of our stay in the 

Seedy Crackers

Seedy Crackers

photo by Coleen Sullins This is our cute little neighbor having lunch at the ABR Rock Fence Cabin, a red squirrel who hung out atop the stack of firewood to better peek in our window.  Here he was eating his own snack…but he was also 

Pepitas, or Pumpkin Seeds

Pepitas, or Pumpkin Seeds

  . An incredible morning at the Rock Fence Cabin at ABR…it makes it easy to get up at dawn.  All of these awesome winterland and cabin photos are by Coleen Sullins who is joining us here in the land of snow while her home 

Adobo Black Bean Soup

Adobo Black Bean Soup

  This was another hearty soup from the deli days.  The cinnamon and clove really help build the layers of flavor, not to mention they smell heavenly while simmering.  The ingredients and flavors are of a Mexican móle or adobo with the cocoa, oregano and clove.  We 

Pumpkin French Toast

Pumpkin French Toast

  Photos from the Mars Rover? Microscopic view of caterpillar skin? The inside of volcano Popocatépetl in Mexico? Satellite images of erosion in Death Valley? A Fire Lizard?         ….or extremely curious skin from my baked squash with light shining through it. 

Don Don Noodles

Don Don Noodles

  I was introduced to this dish by my friend Kristen years ago when she created it as a special for the deli.  She made it with peanut butter, served it room temperature and it was a favorite of the clientele. Dan Dan Mien, or ‘peddler’s noodles’, of 

Favorites December 2015

Favorites December 2015

      Finally a little northern hemisphere winter magic…   Happy New Year to you all!        Favorites December 2015 . . Blooming wonder  . . Danish restaurant magic Höst . . Watercolor for your digital world . . Butternut Gnocchi sounds good 

Lemon Parmesan Dip

Lemon Parmesan Dip

  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 

Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten

  It’s been grey and drizzly for days…a perfect time for comfort food.   We made Sauerbraten for the Edible Alien Theatre’s Faeries: Autumn Feast many years ago, it was ideal for a chilly fall eve.  This (artfully) fuzzy frame is captured from a video shot in 

Cider Syrup and Local Vinegars

Cider Syrup and Local Vinegars

  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 

Roasted Maple Squash

Roasted Maple Squash

  Is this not one of the most beautiful of Maple Syrup images?  Crystalline and glittery, maybe I could wear it as a necklace.  Bees would like me.  This crystal sat around for many weeks waiting for me to take a photo and it remained 

Balsamic Brussel Sprouts with Grapes

Balsamic Brussel Sprouts with Grapes

  Definitely one of the Star Trek outer space variety of vegetables. Tiny cabbage-like heads on stalks, these at the Farmers Market have had their giant leaves removed.  Usually Brussel sprouts are harvested after a frost which sweetens these cruciferous buddies.  Years when I have grown them 

Kale, Apple and Almond Salad by Pascale Beale

Kale, Apple and Almond Salad by Pascale Beale

  Happy Birthday to this blog—4 years and post #200!! Thanks for participating in this experiment with me!  I am not one who is naturally drawn to measuring or documenting so this has been quite a practice of observation and attempts to translate foods into something others might enjoy or 

Yam Puree with Chipotle

Yam Puree with Chipotle

.   My friend Annette made this up years ago, served it at a potluck, and little did she know that I would promptly take her idea and run with it for the next fifteen years.  It’s simple, delicious, and the perfect combination of sweet-spicy-tangy-creamy and 

Cure-All Chicken Soup

Cure-All Chicken Soup

  I cannot stop eating this soup.  It’s brothy, spicy, and loaded with all the good things. I suppose I have to include a disclaimer about the name so I’m not practicing medicine without a license …but you’ll want to be stocked with ingredients as the cold 

Favorites October 2015

Favorites October 2015

  It’s been an incredible fall, brilliant leaves and sunny days hovering right around 70 degrees.  Last week gave us the first drizzly gray day we’ve had in weeks and it was almost a relief—I can handle only so many perfectly cheery sunny days before I crave some good 

Roasted Garlic

Roasted Garlic

  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 

Coconut Pumpkin Freeze

Coconut Pumpkin Freeze

    If I called this ice cream you wouldn’t even want to try it because you don’t have an ice cream maker or churn.  It’s too thick to be called a smoothie.  Whatever the name might be, here it is and it’s tasty as-is or could 

Za’atar Carrots

Za’atar Carrots

  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, 

Picadillo Stuffed Peppers

Picadillo Stuffed Peppers

  Picadillo is a traditional Spanish and Latin American dish that one could call a ‘hash’.  Ground meat, olives, dried fruit, and veggies sautéed together and served with rice or in tacos.  How handy is that?  A way to use your regional ingredients in a delicious one-dish wonder