from the current "collection" Nothing sends me into a hoarding frenzy like the approaching end of the peach season. Well, that's not really true, but it is one of my biggest weaknesses in the stone fruit-produce season. Anyway, is there really a difference between collecting and hoarding? Hmmmmm…….. I'm not of the mind to give up on Summertime easily, even though I'm getting lots of vibes about Autumn coming in. The Morning Glories are … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2015
It’s August and the Local Peaches are Stellar – A Declaration of NJ’s “Best Peaches”
"can't top these" yellow peaches from Tree-licious Orchards in Port Murray, NJ Ever since I read Sam Sifton's article in the Sunday Times Magazine back on July 8, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/magazine/eat-a-peach.html I have been informally but determinedly been out racking up evidence against some of his conclusions about northeastern peaches. I guess it's just part of this old-fashioned Jersey girl defending her turf! I have gone … [Read more...]
No Sacrifice on Weekend Treats: The Gluten-Free Scone Comes of Age – Peach Melba
don't we all crave a sweet treat on weekends? Weekends call for your favorite coffee or tea, sitting outside with the newspaper and just taking it all in. A deep breath or two is in order after whatever your week held in store. I'm not one to give up easily on things I care about. Another way of putting that is that I'm not always imaginative and am stubborn as a mule. Some might even say I have the propensity to work a recipe idea to … [Read more...]
In the Mix; Better Off Staying in the AC – Rosemary Scones with Comté and Peaches
Has anyone noticed how weird the weather is this week? It's kind of spooky at times. It's hot, humid but the skies are a brilliant blue, a shower may whisk by unexpectedly, and there seem to be both puffy-white and ominous clouds in the mix most of the time……. Makes you wonder what the atmosphere is trying to say…….. I came upon a recipe this morning for Rosemary-Cheddar Scones to be served with Peach-Rosemary Jam. They looked like the … [Read more...]
I’m a Corn Muffin-A-holic; My Gluten-Free Corn Muffins
I'm a Corn Muffin-A-holic. I'm also a purist when it comes to corn muffins. I don't like any fruit in them. Just corn muffin goodness and butter satisfies that soulful need. When I was a kid, my Mom used to bake us all sorts of wonderful treats. These included her corn muffins. But, when there wasn't time for those, she'd often have on hand the old Thomas' Corn Toasties. They were a small pancake-sized "muffin" that went into the toaster … [Read more...]
Don’t Hesitate, Don’t Procrastinate – Peach Streusel Muffins with a Swirl of Blueberry
Yes, indeed-y. There are a million things you can do today. You can go for a bike ride, go to the beach, work in the garden, head out on a little day-sojourn. Or,,,,,,, go to the Farmer's Market or your local orchard and stock up on what's bountiful and beautiful right now - before it's too late! Don't hesitate! Now is absolutely not the time to procrastinate. It is absolutely time to indulge, freely and fully in the remaining peaches of … [Read more...]
A Matter of Palate – The Argument Against Superfluous Sugar
does this need "added sugar"? A very good argument can be made for training our palate and particularly for weening ourselves off the superfluous use of added ingredients in our cooking and baking. This can be for many a reason, not the least of which is to allow the flavor of central ingredients to shine through. While this tenet may apply in many regards, today's discussion is about superfluous use of sugar. I consider myself to be a … [Read more...]
Photographic Memory – That Very Moment
just as the sun lifts over the tree line and begins to cast its magic No, I'm not blessed with a photographic memory in the most well-known sense. But, the term can be aptly applied in another sense……. On mornings such as this, I sit and wait. There is nothing like that very moment when the sun just lifts its way over the tree tops and begins to shed light over the landscape. There is about an hour in the early mornings, albeit a bit … [Read more...]