recipes

Pork Loin with Apples and Cider

When I was growing up, a succulent pork roast studded with caraway seeds was a regular occurrence in the cold weather months. In a family of Bohemian cooks, pork didn’t show up at the table without caraway seeds on it somewhere, usually accompanied by potato dumplings and sauerkraut. My grandmother was well known for this particular meal, and her friends used to come out to the farm – ostensibly to hunt pheasant each fall – when what they really wanted […]

food

Pasta with Pumpkin and Heirloom Tomatoes

This pasta is the essence of the season – the Kumato tomatoes and fresh pumpkin cubes are like autumn leaves nestled among the green of the arugula and the soft brown of the whole wheat linguine. It’s a warm and comforting meal for a night when the wind is rising and you’re cozy indoors with someone you love. If you want to add protein, some crisply-fried and drained bacon can be crumbled in, which makes this meal even more addictive. […]

Spelt Pizza
food

Herbed Spelt Pizza with Italian Sausage

If Leonardo da Vinci ate pizza, this would have been his go-to pie, and not just because it’s a delicious combination of Italian ingredients.  Spelt was the type of wheat grown in ancient and medieval Europe.  It’s enjoying a food renaissance now because spelt requires less fertilizer to grow well, and thus has been embraced by organic food growers.  It’s a much more flavorful wheat, crunchy and nutty, combining so beautifully with the flavors of fresh herbs, strong cheeses, olive […]

Mexican Chicken and Black Bean Lasagna by Matt Wendel
food

Mexican Chicken and Black Bean Lasagna by Matt Wendel

It’s Tex-Mex Thursday – the best Thursday of the month!   I’m thrilled to have this scrumptious recipe from Matthew Wendel, who cooked for many years for President and Mrs. George W. Bush.  Matt’s a Texan, born and raised, and he knows his way around these classic southwestern ingredients.  If you love lasagna, and you love Mexican food, this is a natural addition to your cooking repertoire; it’s a one-dish dinner filled with lots of veggies, and prepared in less […]