Goat Cheese Marinated with Herbes de Provençe

Keep a jar in the refrigerator, and you’ve got a quick appetizer! One of those happy accidents. I had prepared a plate of sliced goat cheese for a gathering and I sprinkled it with herbs and crushed red peppers, drizzled it with olive oil, and had a bit left over at the end of the…

Cajun Seafood Pot Pie

Time to celebrate Spring, Mardi Gras, and perhaps a Birthday! I celebrate the seasons along with the meteorologists. Spring begins on March 1 in my book, and no one usually argues the point. Of course, in Vermont, March, and even April for that matter, often looks more like winter than spring, but some years we…

Cod (or tofu) Baked with Fresh Tomatoes, Swiss Chard, and Summer Herbs

This is a quick summer supper with little hands-on time. There are lots of tomatoes about in New England (and everywhere else) right now. A perfect time to sample beautiful heirloom tomato varieties when they are at their peak of freshness, flavor, and a good price as well.             Cod is a favorite in this region,…

Savory Olive and Rosemary Madeleines

Little three-bite savory delights, perfect for a party! It started with a trip to King Arthur Baking in Norwich. I was meeting my friend Suzy for lunch at the cafe, and had a couple of things to pick up from the baking store, primarily the organic white whole wheat flour I frequently use. Of course,…

Carrot Salad with Caper and Herb Dressing

This is not quite your mother’s carrot salad! Every holiday, mom made a little side salad of carrots. Sometimes, all it included was carrots, mayonnaise, a bit of sugar, salt, and pepper. Often, she would add dried cranberries or raisins, and sometimes cabbage as well. A change here and there I’ve changed her salad many…

Vermont Cheddar and Rosemary Biscuits

Tender, moist, and packed with flavor, these cheddar and rosemary biscuits are a perfect little afternoon snack or brunch favorite. Do you need a little pick-me-up in the middle of the afternoon? A cup of tea, or perhaps an iced coffee, along with a nibble of something sweet or savory, and you’re set to go…

Creamy Cauliflower, Leek, and Sage Soup

When the fall vegetables arrive, we suddenly find ourselves with colorful new possibilities.  Cauliflower is a favorite in our family, and leeks a staple that will remain available through the winter. I’m glad of that since I have many recipes that use these sweet, tender members of the onion family. This is a simple soup,…

Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto

Save these gems from the compost bin, add some maple syrup and ginger, and you have a delicious pesto! I have to admit, most of the time I have used carrot greens, or tops, as an addition to the stock pot so as not to waste them, or occasionally added a few leaves to salads….

Chicken Thighs with Chive Pesto

The freshness of spring and the beauty of flowers combine to make this topping memorable I planted a small clump of chives in my garden many years ago. I now have four large clumps, and have given away many more starts to friends and relatives. They are hardy in a New England garden, and they…

The Life of Spice

Your own Spice Blends will save you time and money and ensure your flavors are truly unique to your own kitchen. One of my rituals of the new year is to go through my spice/herb shelf and take inventory. I usually have a lot to replenish after the cooking of the holidays, and this is…