Bay leaves rarely play a starring role in a recipe. I tend to think that if you leave the bay leaf out of a recipe, you may not notice, but the elusive flavor adds a definite boost to soups and stews, and it’s an essential ingredient in a classic French herb seasoning bouquet garni. When I found this recipe in an old community cookbook, I was intrigued, because I have come to … [Read more...] about Blackberry Buttermilk Ice Cream with Bay Leaf Sauce
Farmers Market
Marinated Summer Squash Salad
Squash season is starting, and everyone I know is always looking for new ways to use the bounty. Everything old is new again though, so I pulled out this recipe. In recent years, I have seen an explosion of fancy squash salads on restaurant menus and on Pinterest. The trend seems to be thinly slicing the squash lengthwise to create long ribbons. It does make for a pretty salad. … [Read more...] about Marinated Summer Squash Salad
Honey Raspberry Cake
Raspberry season is short, and it’s a little hard to find locally grown berries around here. A farmer at the market once told me they were just too labor intensive for him to make much of a profit. When I find them grown here, I jump at the chance. I love to eat them over yogurt with a drizzle of honey, but with a real abundance I like to bake. So I translated that idea into a … [Read more...] about Honey Raspberry Cake
Beer Shrimp Boil with Beer Sauce and Homemade Shrimp Boil Spice
Summer officially kicks off with Memorial Day, and it is the perfect time for outdoor gatherings with big groups of family and friends. I think a shrimp boil makes a nice switch from the classic burgers-and-dogs grill fest. I have a big outdoor table on my patio, and this has become a favorite way to entertain. I simply cover the table with brown paper and scoop the boil … [Read more...] about Beer Shrimp Boil with Beer Sauce and Homemade Shrimp Boil Spice
Strawberry Rosemary Muffins with Strawberry Rosemary Butter
In the kitchen, excess is often the mother of invention and this recipe is a perfect example of that principle. I went overboard buying fresh strawberries, and decided to bake them into something delicious before the overflow went bad. I hadn’t made muffins in awhile, so that seemed like a good idea. As I gathered my ingredients, I found some rosemary left from another cooking … [Read more...] about Strawberry Rosemary Muffins with Strawberry Rosemary Butter
