cathyboettner

Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles

My maternal grandmother used to make bread and butter pickles and I remember how the house used to smell when she had just made them–like summer. I started making them several years ago and that smell brings back memories of my sweet grandmother. She always put celery and onions with the cucumber slices, so IContinue reading “Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles”

Push to Finish Potting Shed

Well, I thought that we were going to leave things as they were in the potting shed when I gave you an update on the garden, but I was WRONG. My husband wanted to get it finished and off of his list of things to do, and he didn’t want to move the manufactured stoneContinue reading “Push to Finish Potting Shed”

A Versatile Quiche Base

I took a recipe from my mother in law and made a few modifications to make it a really adaptable filling for quiches. Quiche Filling (makes 3-9″ quiches or 2-10″ quiches) 1 1/2 cups of mayonnaise 6 tbsp flour 2 rounds of Boursin cheese 12 eggs 1 1/2 cups of milk Combine all ingredients inContinue reading “A Versatile Quiche Base”

Tiny Trees need PROTECTION

I planted 9 little trees in our front yard this spring–during our two weeks of absolutely terrible projects in March. They are doing fine, except that the deer keep eating all their leaves. Some are faring better than others–but my sourwood and red maple are both getting hit hard. So, I first tried to putContinue reading “Tiny Trees need PROTECTION”

Summer Salads–Marinated Green Beans

This is my grandmother’s recipe for three bean salad that I have adapted because I really don’t like cold kidney beans. Dressing: 1/2 cup sugar (I usually reduce to 1/4 or 1/3 cup) 1/2 cup vinegar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp dry mustard 1/2 tsp tarragon 1/2 tsp basil 2 tbspContinue reading “Summer Salads–Marinated Green Beans”

Vegetarian Dinner Salad

We often have a hearty vegetarian salad for dinner. That’s what we did the other night. With the beans and the cheese, this salad has enough heft for a light dinner or lunch. You can substitute cannellini beans, navy beans, or garbanzo beans for the great northern beans–I just really like the texture of theContinue reading “Vegetarian Dinner Salad”

Steak, Arugula, and Asparagus Salad

I have a TON of arugula right now because it was starting to bolt so I had to pick it all. I sliced an onion into about 1/8″ thick slices and then broke them into rings and put about a tablespoon of oil on them and broiled them on a foil lined cookie sheet untilContinue reading “Steak, Arugula, and Asparagus Salad”

Smoked Chicken Salad

I made some cherry wood smoked chicken to go with all the salads we made this week. I used the same techniques as are used in this YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd1rM3CsoN0&t=23s&ab_channel=Tasty This technique may look intimidating, but it really isn’t. I had to watch the video several times the first time I made turkey this way,Continue reading “Smoked Chicken Salad”

Getting Ready for Weekend Guests

We do a LOT of hosting around here, and I especially love having houseguests because everything feels less rushed and more homey. This weekend, we are hosting college friends and since I’ve done it a lot, I am going to share my tips on how to do it without running yourself ragged, and minimizing yourContinue reading “Getting Ready for Weekend Guests”

The BEST Potato Salad

This is my version of the potato salad that my mom used to make. I have been making it since I have lived on my own. Even people who don’t usually like potato salad, love this one. If you already love potato salad, you will love this one. I like it because it isn’t tooContinue reading “The BEST Potato Salad”