“this plant of God heals anything it touches” – Hippocrates With cold and flu season fast approaching, and with more concern now than ever to keep our immune systems healthy, I’m sharing my tried-and-true recipe for homemade elderberry syrup. For centuries, elderberries have been considered a powerful ingredient in health and beauty. Ancient Egyptians relied on them to improve their skin and heal burns. During the Middle Ages, elderberries were considered powerful enough to ward off witches and evil spirits. Hippocrates referred to elderberries as “the medicine chest” of all herbs for its healing properties and many uses. Native Americans harvested them to treat infections. Perhaps most interesting though, is…
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September arrives and I begin to seek warmer, more woodsy, aromas and flavors. A sizzling pork chop dinner offers a comforting acoustic on a chilly and dark evening. Mushrooms, whether foraged in the wild or purchased from my local market, add an element of autumnal magic and enchantment. With only a few handy ingredients, let’s take an otherwise tired pork chop recipe and create something more worthwhile. Pan Seared pork chops in wine and mushroom sauce is an easy weeknight dinner. I like to serve this with a side of jasmine-scented rice or roasted potatoes to satisfy our hungry bellies. This is a wonderfully fragrant dish, with hints of smoked…
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Autumn is waking and I’m sharing my favorite seasonal burger recipe, Caramelized Onion & Brandied Apple Burgers. The orchards have opened for apple-picking and the weekends are beginning to bustle with excited out-of-towners enjoying their time on the farms. Early harvest favorites, like local Zester and Honey Crisp apples, are making their way into my seasonal cooking – and with each bite I savor, I’m reminded that my heart belongs to autumn. Caramelized Onion & Brandied Apple Burgers, generously topped with sticky-sweet caramelized onions and warm apples robed in brandy. The best part? Once all of the ingredients are assembled and ready, cooking time is just about 20 mins. Weeknight…
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Move over basil! We’re giving kale the leading role in the pesto jar, at least for today. This version is nut-free because my youngest has a nut allergy, and I love pesto, and now I can have the taste and texture without the worries of cross contamination in the kitchen. But, you don’t have to have allergies to make this version – give this a go when you don’t have pine nuts on hand, or when you’re looking for a great variation. Spread it on homemade pizza, crostini, pasta, sandwiches, use it as a dip, or add a dollop onto pork or chicken. The pesto-bilities are plenty (I know,…
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“Anyone who gives you a cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven is a friend for life.” ― Lemony Snicket This cinnamon bun recipe uses baking ingredients that you are likely to already have at home. Ooey gooey, sweet and sticky, aromatic cinnamon buns. Warm and tender and glazed with a silky cream cheese frosting. The aroma of brown sugar and warm cinnamon lingers long and comforting.
