Slow Food USA recently had a $5 challenge. From their website: “The goal is to take back the ‘value meal’ – because slow food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food. We’re asking people to share what they do in their kitchens and with their families to cook fresh, healthy food on a budget.… Continue reading Corn and Black Bean Salad
Category: in the kitchen
Meal planning, grocery shopping, and healthy eating. Cooking, eating healthy food and reducing food waste.
Betsy’s Best Brownies
We had to get rid of one our chickens this week. This was not an easy decision as we have come to love our backyard chickens. They’re our pets and we’ve named them all, even though many experts say not to. You don’t want to get too attached to your hens. Betsy Ross was part… Continue reading Betsy’s Best Brownies
How to Hard Boil Eggs
This “Ask Sara” question comes from my sister, Mary. She asks, “What are the tricks to hard boiled eggs? I boil them for about 20 minutes, dunk them in cold water and peel, and always some egg gets left on the shell. Any suggestions?” Why, Mary, yes I have some very simple steps for you… Continue reading How to Hard Boil Eggs
Dinner Group Appetizers: Mock Oysters
The recipe we tried for dinner group gathering was delicious and one that I would definitely make again. My tip? Don’t put this together in advance. Prepare the shrimp mixture and cook the shrimp chips but don’t assemble the “mock oysters” until right before serving. This will prevent them from getting soggy. We have an… Continue reading Dinner Group Appetizers: Mock Oysters
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s always something baking at our house. These cookies get baked regularly. I love anything with oatmeal, peanut-butter, and chocolate chips. Whole-wheat flour, flax seeds, wheat germ, and using non-fat yogurt in place of too much butter all make these cookies “healthier” than your typical homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe. I’ve also found that adding… Continue reading Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Meal Planning Made Simple
Meal planning is the biggest saver in the kitchen. You can save money, time, and resources by meal planning. Money is saved by purchasing only what you need. Time is saved by not running to the grocery store everyday. Resources are saved because you know what you need for the week so food won’t be… Continue reading Meal Planning Made Simple
Delicious Everyday Cake with Fruit
This is my favorite, go-to cake recipe. Why do I love it? Simple, easy ingredients that I always have on hand. After dinner as a dessert, or at a coffee-klatch in the morning with friends, it’s always a hit. My kids call it “breakfast dessert” and they love it, too. The best part is that… Continue reading Delicious Everyday Cake with Fruit
How to Adapt Recipes
This question comes from a friend who was asking me about how I make changes to a recipe. I thought I'd share with you my steps so you can do this in your own kitchen. The real secret is that it's just all trial and error. Your willingness to make healthy food that tastes great… Continue reading How to Adapt Recipes
Sticky Pasta Solution
This reader’s question comes from my Mother-in-law’s dear friend, Kim. Kim lives in Nassau, Bahamas, where life is always good and the sun is warm year round. Kim writes, “You would think after eons of cooking I'd have most answers but I don't. Twelve of us (the family) were coming over for pasta. One recipe… Continue reading Sticky Pasta Solution
After School Snacks
Several years ago for a New Year’s resolution, I decided to not purchase any individually packaged snack foods for our family. The reason? I was tired of buying food that was overly packaged, generated waste, was unhealthy, and expensive. This resolution really stuck and I rarely purchase packaged snack foods today. The exception is when… Continue reading After School Snacks
Go Gingham 