My family has a farm in Arkansas, rice and soybeans mostly, but a few other crops. One year, when I was maybe ten or twelve, my dad and a fellow farmer decided to experiment with corn. So on a little corner of the farm, they planted a couple of varieties. When it came in, he brought home paper grocery sacks of corn all summer. My mother spent that summer shucking corn and using … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Creamy Corn with Bacon, Green Onions and Bourbon
Vegetables
Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Quick, summery and simple. This is the perfect passable bite for a party or a wonderful side to a summer meal. If you tend to end up with a couple of extra zucchini hanging around after a trip to the farmers market, this is a great way to use them up, as a starter or a snack. Serve these while still warm, but you can make the mayonnaise mix hours ahead and … [Read more...] about Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Greek Herbed Spinach Pie
I do love dishes made with phyllo dough, spanakopita, tiropita and the myriad of sticky sweet desserts made with it. But after a number of failed attempts, I have discovered that I simply do not have the patience to work with it. So I am attracted to recipes that mirror the tastes of my phyllo favorites without the work. My first success was Greek Feta Parcels, and now I have … [Read more...] about Greek Herbed Spinach Pie
Artichoke, Goat Cheese and Lemon Spread
Creamy artichoke dip has long been a staple a parties and gatherings. Lots of mayonnaise and marinated artichoke hearts and gooey cheese. It has never been a favorite of mine, because it is so rich and always tastes more of mayonnaise than anything else. I set out to create a dish everyone would be intrigued by, but surprised to find it veered so … [Read more...] about Artichoke, Goat Cheese and Lemon Spread
Carrot and Dill Risotto
Risotto for me was, for many years, solely a restaurant dish. I had only eaten it at fancy eateries at a time when it was ubiquitous on menus as the trend of the minute. I did not understand that it was something a normal human could make at home. But when I discovered that there is no real mystery, that it is quite a simple dish to make, one that takes only patience, a whole … [Read more...] about Carrot and Dill Risotto
