Twice-Cooked Zucchini Boats

I confess – I’ve been a little crazed with the zucchini this year.  Not because I actually grew any  – – I am a horrible gardener!  I planted several zucchini plants, and didn’t grow a single squash.  When people talk of how productive their plants are, and they “just don’t know what to do with… Continue reading Twice-Cooked Zucchini Boats

Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This soup is really “Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Cheddar and Jack Cheese”, but that title isn’t very catchy.  Whatever you call it, it is hearty and delicious, and will warm up your belly on a chilly day. There’s no flour thickener in this soup!  Hand-blending the roasted vegetables in the pan thickened the soup,… Continue reading Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cauliflower Purée with Goat Cheese

We ran across some MONSTER grass-fed ribeye steaks on-the-bone, perfect for Sunday Steak Night™!  It seemed like a good night for a simple, mashed vegetable side dish.  We have posted another recipe for mashed cauliflower, which I love, but it is really hearty and filling on its own.  We needed something a little less rich… Continue reading Cauliflower Purée with Goat Cheese

Roasted Figs and Fennel

The last week has been blessedly fall-like with cooler temperatures.  Time to start thinking about all the wonderful meals of the harvest season!  Roasting vegetables in the oven is one of my favorite cooking methods – because it’s easy, sure, but also because the high heat caramelizes whatever natural sugars are present and transforms about… Continue reading Roasted Figs and Fennel

Curried Sweet Potato Gratin

A gratin is a dish typically prepared using ingredients of thinly sliced and layered potatoes and cream cooked in a buttered dish.  Well….yum!  This preparation method originated in France (of course); the name gratin dauphinois refers to the Dauphiné region of France, where this method of preparing potatoes is a specialty (according to Wikipedia).  Here’s… Continue reading Curried Sweet Potato Gratin

Onion Strings (gluten-free)

Modified from The Pioneer Woman I have a confession to make – I completely suck at frying.  One might wonder why I’m even allowed to reside in Georgia, since fried chicken is the most hallowed food around.  Although several generations of my family were born in the southern part of the United States, including myself,… Continue reading Onion Strings (gluten-free)

Fresh Heirloom Tomato Sauce

Our neighbor, Mike, from across the road is always kind enough to share his bounty of tomatoes with us.  It’s nice to have someone who takes pity on those of us with “black thumbs” when it comes to gardening.   We have spent untold dollars for a cumulative harvest of 4 or 5 eggplants and 3… Continue reading Fresh Heirloom Tomato Sauce

Berry Cocoa-Crisp

This recipe is gluten free and paleo-friendly! Summertime has landed here in Georgia like an unwelcome meteor.  With temperatures flirting with 100 degrees and the unrelenting, damp hot towel of humidity outside, I’m ready to keep my cold-loving self indoors until Mother Nature is more accommodating.  It’s not any secret that I don’t like detest… Continue reading Berry Cocoa-Crisp

Stuffed Squash (1&8-ball)

There’s a mini-farmers’ market at one of our favorite spots, Community Q BBQ in Decatur, Georgia.  When we stopped by on Saturday, they had these lovely 1 & 8-ball squash that I have never seen before.  They are plump and round and fit in the palm of your hand.  We picked up two of these,… Continue reading Stuffed Squash (1&8-ball)

Eggplant Sliders

When you think of sliders, I’m sure you think tasty morsels of meat between two tiny buns (unless you think of White Castle first, then leave out the “tasty” part).  Think of this as the no-bun, meatless alternative! In this version, herbed goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes are sandwiched between slices of oven-roasted eggplant and… Continue reading Eggplant Sliders

High-Altitude Muffin *FAIL*

Having lived most of my life at 1000 ft above sea level, or less, my first instinct when baking isn’t to consider the elevation of my oven.  It did occur to me, too late, when I peeked in the oven to find a pan overflowing with batter.  Oops!  This wasn’t a total fail since the… Continue reading High-Altitude Muffin *FAIL*

Mashed Cauliflower with Onions and Parmesan Cheese

Oh Cauliflower, where have you been all my life? It’s been so hard to like you, always served up as a rather tasteless companion to dips, or in a mixture of other bland, steamed vegetables. Who knew you could be so versatile and delicious? I have seen mashed cauliflower as a healthier substitute for mashed… Continue reading Mashed Cauliflower with Onions and Parmesan Cheese

Roasted Coconut Cashew Nuts

Adapted from Thai The Essence of Asian Cooking, Judy Bastyra with recipes by Becky Johnson. In anticipation of our flight to Albuquerque this weekend, I have been looking for some interesting, primal-friendly snacks for the plane. Traveling in coach, one usually gets the choice of peanuts, cookie wafers, or chips – or a deep breath… Continue reading Roasted Coconut Cashew Nuts

Cauli’ & Cheese

Macaroni and cheese, done right, is one of the best comfort foods in the world.  Some days you just gotta have a little extra comfort, so it has been hard giving up this dish.  After a difficult day worrying over a sick kitty, going back and forth to the vet, and dealing with too much… Continue reading Cauli’ & Cheese