The only thing that really matters when constructing a good soup is to pack in the flavor every which way possible, and when using mushrooms it’s hard to get this wrong. This soup can be made with 100% wild mushrooms but it is also quite good with domestic mushrooms or a mix of the two. It is a good idea to use both dried and fresh mushrooms as the dried mushrooms render a very flavorful broth. Read more…
I am always looking for interesting ways to bring that leftover turkey back to life. Pozole is a delicious soup that is probably unlike what you might typically make with Thanksgiving leftovers. The addition of several toppings contrasting in both flavor and texture really make pozole especially delicious. Pozole is made with different meats but most typically slow-cooked pork, which of course renders a delicious broth. Here, we are using already cooked turkey so the addition of chicken stock is necessary but it all comes together in the end. Read more…
The incredible edible acorn. The Oak tree is one of the most wide spread trees in the world and the acorn was a staple of the human diet going back literally forever (human forever at least). It is seldom used anymore because other grains and nuts are easier to make into flours on a large scale. I think it’s a worthwhile project to collect acorns and process them into flour which it can be stored long term. The flour is sweet and earthy, a really interesting flavor. Read more…
From time to time I like to come up with recipes utilizing foraged foods that are a departure from the simple routine preparations. That is not to say I don’t like simple foraged recipes. Straightforward with minimal ingredients is central to serving up foraged foods but it is sometimes nice to mix up these ingredients in more random ways. I think this recipe does the trick and puts the flavor of your fresh and tasty mushrooms right up front. If you are up for giving handmade tortillas a try (yes!), the recipe follows. Read more…
There really is nothing like food gloriously suspended in gelatin animation. Grandiose jello mixtures seemed to be quite popular with my grandparents’ generation. To be honest, I was never a fan of these preparations to say the least. I have always liked contrasting flavors but not so much with the random ingredients peering at me from the inside of their jello world. Real gelatin however is such a great ingredient to include in the diet and we do often in our house. Read more…
When the weather gets warm, I want fresh foods and I want crunchy foods. A light fish with a whole bunch of crunch fits the bill. The combination here is a little unique but it works and most seem to like random combinations of ingredients these days, so here you go. Read more…
I planted asparagus in my garden two years ago and this spring my patience paid off. I have gardened for my entire life but this is the first time I have eaten fresh asparagus from my own garden and it was well worthwhile. Asparagus has the distinction of being one of the few perennial vegetables grown on a regular basis, that is, those that can be harvested each year without replanting. Read more…
There is a variety of wild rice native to North America and of course a whole bunch of mushrooms too. You may have noticed that common wild rice mixes usually have a minimal amount of this really long dark brown rice included in them. Well, that is our native rice. It’s delicious, chewy and adds a great texture to soups. Might as well mention it is also high in folate, antioxidants, protein, and several minerals. Read more…
When you put just a few ingredients together in just the right way it is very satisfying and this is what I believe cooking is really all about. I also really get a kick out of shopping in my own yard for the ingredients. I have prepared dandelion greens many times and I prefer them smoothered in garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. It makes for a great side to just about anything. Read more…
Spring has not quite started yet but fresh herbs are already showing up in my garden.This recipe is easy and versatile and the simple herb combination complements rather than overwhelms this wonderful fish. Read more…
by the handful 