Recipes for End of the Summer Tomatoes

You know your tomato plants did well this year when your neighbors are even sick of eating the fruits of your labor. If you are tired of packing up bags (and bags and bags) of your bountiful harvest only to have friends and family members decline your gift, then consider putting your tomatoes to good use in these simple, yet delicious recipes: FRESH TOMATO PIE Ingredients: 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie crust, pre-baked 4 large tomatoes 1 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoons fresh basil 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 1 egg 1 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Directions: Make or buy … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Vegetables

As much as your children would rather you forget them all together, vegetables are a vital part of a traditional Thanksgiving spread. While my brother’s tot will happily munch on carrots sticks (drowned in Ranch dressing) as though he were part rabbit, my preschooler needs to be bribed to take even a nibble of the crunchy orange vegetable. This is why our family meals such as Thanksgiving must include a variety of veggie dishes. The first one I’m sharing with you is the only carrot recipe my daughter will eat. Once you scan the ingredients you’ll see why. The second … Continue reading →

Cool as a Cucumber Vegetable Juice and a Super Summer Salad

Fresh fruits often get top billing during the hot summer months, but let’s not forget the power of vegetables. When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years back our entire family got a crash course in Nutrition 101. Her doctors recommended that she revamp her diet and add more vegetables. The following recipe for Vegetable Juice was given to her by a dietician, who told her that if she drank one glass each morning it would be the equivalent of eating two huge dinner salads. So, if you are looking for an efficient and effective ways to … Continue reading →

Corn on the Cob

Summer time is my favorite time of year to be a food writer. The possibilities are endless and even the rising food prices barely touch my farm fresh produce. Corn on the cob is one of my favorite summer time indulgences. It reminds me of everything good about childhood and back yard barbecues–yes, it’s hard to believe that food can sometimes elicit such an emotional response in us. Over the years I have revamped my corn on the cob over and over again. Here are a few of my tips: Add Sugar to the Water This is a tip I … Continue reading →

All About Asparagus

I just got an email from a local farm that we frequent informing me, “It’s that time of year again… Asparagus season.” I love fresh asparagus and this particular farm grows some of the best asparagus I have ever happily devoured. Each year a few weeks prior to the start of strawberry picking season the owner notifies his best customers that his asparagus crop is ready for harvest and we pre-order our supply. For those of you who don’t purchase produce directly from a farm you will soon notice that the price of fresh asparagus will be decreasing at the … Continue reading →

What to do with Leftover Raw Vegetables

Well, I guess I won’t be cooking for a Super Bowl party after all. Now that the Green Bay Packers blew their chance to compete for the title of best team in the NFL not only am I left with a bitter taste in my mouth, I have a ton of leftover raw vegetables to boot. For those of you who haven’t been following my guest blogs here in the FOOD category, Valorie has been kind enough to allow me to share the recipes I have been furiously preparing for the numerous playoff and championship game parties I’ve attended during … Continue reading →

Sneaky Mama’s Baked Veggie Fries

It has been a long while since I’ve posted a Sneaky Mama recipe. But in all of my holiday cooking and baking, I was challenged to come up with something that my eight year old will eat. She is queen of the picky eaters. I’m just waiting for the full blown coronation. So in response to coming up with something that she will enjoy at the Thanksgiving dinner table (and no, she doesn’t like mashed potatoes, turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy stuffing or even pie) besides rolls, I’ve created some vegetable fries. Try out the various seasonings and see what your … Continue reading →

Lighten Up Your Thanksgiving Dinner with Sweet Potatoes

I know that to some, I’m speaking blasphemy when I start talking about replacing the beloved candied yams with a dish that’s more healthful. I prefer to think of it however, as making choices. Choosing to do something with fresh sweet potatoes will still let you get in that dallop of whipped cream without breaking your diet. And let’s face it, taking a vegetable and sticking marshmallows and sugary syrup all over it–really isn’t that healthy. Sweet potatoes are a solid staple at our house. They’re healthier than potatoes as far as vitamins go and my kids really, really hate … Continue reading →

Ode to the Sweet Potato

If you are struggling to get vegetables into your kids then the sweet potato can become your best friend. They are rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin-A, Vitamin-C, and Vitamin-B6. In fact, if your kids hate carrots, this is a great alternative. (Even if your kids don’t hate carrots, sweet potatoes are a good addition to the diet.) They’re super versatile too. If you’re not quite sure what to do with a sweet potato here are a few ideas: I generally boil my sweet potatoes just like you would a regular potato. When they’re good and soft, I peel them and … Continue reading →

Recipes For End Of The Summer Produce

Now that you know the health benefits associated with consuming all that end of the summer produce that seems to be growing out of your ears it’s time to put your cooking skills to the test. The following are some quick, easy and delicious ways to make the most of your bumper crops of tomatoes, peppers and squash. A word about peppers and squash: Peppers can be stored in the refrigerator produce drawer up to one week or frozen whole for later use. Meanwhile, squash should stored unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. … Continue reading →