After last summer’s successful experiment with Squash Blossom Pesto, I have been thinking all winter of other ways to use the lovely summer blooms, and soup is the perfect choice. This lovely, bright, sunny soup is very simple – I experimented with more complicated versions, using garlic and herbs and other ingredients, but I find too many elements mask the fresh, lightly … [Read more...] about Squash Blossom Bisque
soup
Sweet Potato and Apple Soup
It is that time of year. I really need a big bowl of sunshine. Fresh, local produce is between growth spurts, and I am generally a little tired of the dark, leafy greens that have dominated the farmers market for a while now. Though we’ve had surprisingly spring-like weather, it is that transitional time. Not still winter, but not yet spring. I’m working my way through the … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato and Apple Soup
Bacon Crackers
Making homemade crackers is one of the little culinary secrets I love so much. It never occurs to most people that making your own is something that can or would be done. But it is easy to do and pretty impressive when you serve homemade crackers. It took me awhile to get where I wanted to go with making my own crackers. I read and sampled a lot of … [Read more...] about Bacon Crackers
Snow White Soup (Parsnip, Fennel and Leek Soup)
It has already snowed here in Memphis twice this year, but too early and too inconvenient. I am hoping for a few more snow days, when I have no need to leave the house and am prepared with a good book, with enough warning for a trip to the grocery. It doesn’t get cold enough, often enough here to invest in big, heavy wool turtleneck sweaters and thick mittens, but I like to … [Read more...] about Snow White Soup (Parsnip, Fennel and Leek Soup)
Good Luck Gumbo (Black-eyed Pea and Collard Gumbo over Rice)
I am not an overly suspicious person. Sure, I have my little quirks, but I don’t worry about black cats, walking under ladders, throwing spilled salt over my left shoulder. But there are a few traditions that I adhere to because, well, it can’t hurt. Particularly if that tradition involves delicious food. So on New Year’s Day, I always eat black-eyed peas and greens. For … [Read more...] about Good Luck Gumbo (Black-eyed Pea and Collard Gumbo over Rice)
