Curbing food waste (convictions) on the home front
I often come home from interviewing a farmer or a chef or an environmentalist of some stripe and find myself convicted about where my food is coming from, how I’m cooking it and its impact on the world. As a writer, IÂ don’t necessarily have to act on these convictions. If I acted on every one … Continue reading
Ramps + Morels + Asparagus = Spring Risotto
I was beginning to have farmers market withdrawal. We had three super busy weekends, two of them out of town, keeping me away from the Saturday markets that are now my best option. And I knew that some of my spring favorites were beginning to appear en masse. I needed to replenish some herbs that … Continue reading
The Christmas countdown: food gifts worth giving
Christmas came early in my kitchen this year. You see, it was Cyber Monday and there’s this feeling that the deals will just pass you by — and I just caved. I let my husband let me buy what I’ve wanted all year: a Vitamix. Oh man is it great. I read a bunch of reviews … Continue reading
My First Food Swap
As you may know, I was bitten by the canning bug this year. What you may not know is that the logical next step (after hosting a preservation party) is attending a Food Swap. And it’s a great step, perhaps my favorite so far (and certainly better than the peel-50-peaches step). I had the pleasure of … Continue reading
P.Y.O Pumpkins, Apples, Paw Paws & Recipes
WE WENT TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH! And it was everything I’d hoped it would be. Fall-like, family friendly, and we even found a photographer to bring along! Thanks to Jami McDowell for taking these great shots! (And, yes, that is a hair flip in the above photograph. That’s apparently what I do while walking to … Continue reading
Summer’s not over — a few more food events for your calendar
I just got back from one of the best food-focused events I’ve attended in DC — the farm-to-street party at Union Market — the culmination of a great Eat Local First week. What made it great? In my opinion, it was the focus on local food businesses and the direct access to the entrepreneurs behind … Continue reading
Fermented foods: gosh, they’re cool
I have pickles on the brain these days. I know, it’s the time of year of farmers markets and fresh foods galore. And, trust me, I think about those enough, too. (Even on this rainy past Saturday, my family had to lure me away from my long stay at the market with a brunch of … Continue reading
Growing herbs: The Best Idea I’ve Had This Spring
It began with a little basil. Last spring, I planted some in a window box on the side of our house. The side that apparently got more bugs than sun. It had a good run, providing me plenty to sprinkle into my scrambled eggs, but not quite enough for the giant batch of pesto I … Continue reading
An Ode to the Start of Farmers Market-ing
FARMERS MARKET SEASON HAS BEGUN! At least my Mount Vernon market opened today, on the oh-so-happy first day of May. It’s been a long winter folks, and I was so happy to see those familiar farmer faces today. Especially JesĂşs Ochoa, who I wrote about last year. I planned my meals for the week with a big question … Continue reading
Cathal Armstrong’s Alexandria
It all started on a boat in the Chesapeake when a DC chef asked me, “Have you been to Cathal Armstrong‘s restaurants?” I’d been living in the DC area a few months and my food writing career had been focused mostly on my comfort zone of agriculture stories. I could barely feign to be some … Continue reading
