Grow, Harvest, and Use Naturally Sweet Stevia
An herb that grows in the garden and can be used as a sugar substitute sounds too good to be true, so of course I had to try it. Naturally sweet stevia has now taken its place on my list...
Category: Kitchen
Make Your Own Creamed Honey
Creamed honey is often called whipped honey. If you wish to make your own, the first thing you need to know is this: Whipped honey is not whipped. You actually do not want to incorporate any air into so-called whipped...
Lebkuchen — Traditional German Honey Cookies
Lebkuchen are spicy honey cookies traditionally served at Christmas time in Germany, and are an essential part of Christmas in our household. These cookies are not only delicious, but also pretty enough to give as gifts. Large and round, they...
Why Honey Crystallizes & What to Do with It
Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugar and water, which means it contains more sugar than the water can naturally dissolve. Honey crystallizes when the water releases excess sugar. If you’ve ever had the fun of making rock candy, you...
Clean Burnt Residue from a Non-Stick Griddle Plate
A dishwasher safe non-stick griddle plate will accumulate a film of burnt-on food residue, no matter how careful you are. And the gunk seems to sneak up — the griddle looks clean, until one day it suddenly isn’t. That’s the...
Why Everyone Needs a Gilhoolie
“You need a Gilhoolie,” stated my dentist, after I told her that I involuntarily clench my teeth during activities requiring concentrated effort — such as trying to remove a stubborn jar lid. “What’s a Gilhoolie?” I asked, worried I was...
Refreshing Cucumber Salad
When the cucumbers begin to ripen in my garden, I can’t wait to a make cucumber salad. We often have it for lunch with slices of freshly baked bread, although I might also serve it as a side dish for...
My Recipe Format
The recipe format I use follows a sensible system I learned several decades ago that makes much more sense to me. Instructions are given in a column on the left, with ingredients listed, in their order of use, in a column on the right.
Chicken Florentine for Two
Chicken Florentine is the perfect dish to serve someone who otherwise hates spinach, kale, chard and other greens. And for those who don’t eat chicken, it’s equally good without it.