I have a long and interesting history with peas. As a child, my mother tells me that I once shoved a pea up my nose. (The other interesting childhood story about me related to the pea homophone, "pee," is that I once slept walk into the living room thinking that it was the bathroom and … Continue reading Sweet Pea Falafel with Minted Cucumber Salad
Lima Beans with Garlic, Lemon Zest, and Herbs
I hated lima beans as a kid. Â They would come out of my grandparents' garden in buckets and the difficult task of shelling them was a shared responsibility. Â However, given the skewed memories of children (and knowing what I now know about how much mothers get done), I probably had to shell about four of … Continue reading Lima Beans with Garlic, Lemon Zest, and Herbs
Grace’s Mint Jelly
As you have probably noticed, I talk a lot about my family and my grandmothers and how they helped me develop a love for cooking. Â And I think there was something in the genes they gave me that just "clicked" when I got involved in the world of local food. Â It all made sense to … Continue reading Grace’s Mint Jelly
Pasta with Fresh Peas, Basil, and Mint
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that summer cooking is almost every bit as good as summer lovin'. Actually, I think it might be what replaces the thrill of summer lovin' when you get old and boring. Â Because seriously, heirloom tomatoes covered with olive oil and basil? Or fresh sweet … Continue reading Pasta with Fresh Peas, Basil, and Mint
Spring Pasta Salad with Aparagus, Spinach, and Mint
One of the best things about belonging to your local Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA) is how quickly the season gears up -- and how big your box of veggies gets.  Our first few distributions of the summer season are teasers. Just yesterday, we got eight sprigs of basil -- yet the smell was … Continue reading Spring Pasta Salad with Aparagus, Spinach, and Mint
Lamb Tikka Masala with Brown Basmati Rice
In the middle of Pennsylvania, we fight hard for spring. We endure a long winter that only reveals itself in shades of black and white (and sometimes brown) -- so when I start to see the mint sprouting up in my backyard, I become a happy person. Â Mint is a crazy perennial grower -- plant … Continue reading Lamb Tikka Masala with Brown Basmati Rice