Sweet Potatoes Two Ways

We dug our sweet potatoes last night and at first I thought it was going to be a puny harvest, but the last few plants we dug up had some crazy big sweet potatoes. The skin on these was really scarred and I wasn’t sure if they were going to have something wrong with them,Continue reading “Sweet Potatoes Two Ways”

From the Garden–KALE

I got an earlier start on my fall garden this year compared to other years and it is doing well. So well in fact, that I went ahead and picked my first batch of kale. I planted Lacinato kale because I prefer it over the curly variety–it’s much easier to wash because it’s flat. Here’sContinue reading “From the Garden–KALE”

Sweet and Salty Peanuts

I have been making these for a long time and have literally made hundreds of pounds of them over the years. This is another easy one. I have found that the best place to buy raw spanish peanuts is our local Indian grocery–great quality and really good price. 4 1/2 cups raw spanish peanuts (youContinue reading “Sweet and Salty Peanuts”

Preserving Mushrooms

Last fall when we were buried in mushrooms, I borrowed my mom’s dehydrator and I dried them and they are in a jar with several oxygen absorbers to keep them fresh. This year, I wanted to preserve them in a way that was easier to pull out and use. I thought that I would canContinue reading “Preserving Mushrooms”

Bacon Onion Beef Burgers

I started making these a few years ago and my husband LOVES them. Because they are a little bit of a pain, I usually make a ton of them. I am giving you my proportions, but you can easily divide and add more of some things and less of others to suit your tastes. 6Continue reading “Bacon Onion Beef Burgers”

Pear Cake with Caramel Glaze

This recipe is from the Southern Living 2002 Annual Recipes Cookbook. You can find it here: https://www.food.com/recipe/caramel-glazed-pear-cake-187648 There are a few tips that I want to share: 2. This is a sweet cake, so be sure to grease the pan well. 3. Also, because it’s sweet, it browns really quickly. I ended up putting aContinue reading “Pear Cake with Caramel Glaze”

Great Grilling Recipe–Chicken (or Pork) Souvlaki

When we go to our favorite Greek/Italian recipe in town, you can pretty much count on my ordering a chicken souvlaki wrap with extra sauce and extra tomato. Now that we live even further out than before, I have come up with my own recipe. First gather your ingredients: fresh lemon, olive oil, cumin, garlicContinue reading “Great Grilling Recipe–Chicken (or Pork) Souvlaki”

Hot Dog Chili (or for Chili Mac or Nachos)

My husband LOVES Chili Mac–especially if we are working hard out in the yard on one of his HORRIBLE projects. When I make it, I make a huge batch and put most of it in the freezer. Here’s the recipe: Cathy’s Hot Dog Chili 5 lbs lean hamburger (you can substitute some ground turkey ifContinue reading “Hot Dog Chili (or for Chili Mac or Nachos)”

Beef Stew and Bread by the Fire

We are having people over so I am preparing a make-ahead dinner that is easy to eat outside. This is a hearty beef stew with bacon, tomatoes, mixed vegetables, baby potatoes, and onions. I am making my recipe for Cheesy Grits bread that was published in Southern Living Magazine in 2005. You can find thatContinue reading “Beef Stew and Bread by the Fire”

Sweet and Spicy Apple Butter

I just made a TON of applesauce and still had some apples left, so I decided to make some apple butter. Recipe: 2 quarts of apple puree (core and chop your apples and cook them with some water until soft. Send them through the food mill on the coarsest blade) You need about 4 lbs.Continue reading “Sweet and Spicy Apple Butter”