Cooking With The Old Farmer's Almanac
September 9, 2020
I thought it was about time I learned about pickling after a coworker brought in her homemade sweet pickles and the taste evoked nostalgia.I admit to taking the easy route and opting for Sweet Refrigerator Pickles—it was my first time, after all.
This Sweet Pickles recipe could not be simpler. I tossed together the sliced cukes, onions, and peppers and sprinkled with pickling salt. As I waited the required hour for the salt to work its magic, I thought about my grandfather’s garden. He worked... more
August 26, 2020
This is the easiest Refrigerator Jam Recipe with just two ingredients! All you need is sugar and fruit—no pectin necessary. Use as a “base” recipe for any berry or soft fruit. This small-batch recipe is perfect for any time you have berries on hand from the garden or market or a day of berry picking! Enjoy that naturally delicious, flavor-packed taste that all jam lovers crave!
How to Make Berry Jam
For this home-style recipe, you simply need equal parts berries and sugar. Skip the fruit... more
June 4, 2020
Switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch, is a refreshing drink made with apple cider vinegar. It was how colonial farmers quenched their thirst out in the hot, sunbaked fields—which is enough of an endorsement for me!
This drink is also called Haymaker’s Punch because it was often drunk while haying—which is hard work under the hot summer sun!
What Is Switchel?
Switchel has a long history as a traditional drink with Colonial Americans. (Read about the Read about the history of Switchel.) It’s ... more
April 7, 2020
Ramp season is here! Ramps are one of the first wild greens to emerge. This springtime native is famous for their restorative qualities after a long winter.And where there are ramps, there’s a Wild Ramps Pesto recipe to be made!
What are Ramps?
What are ramps? As in the inclined walkway? No, no. Ramps are a green plant in the onion family; they’ve also been called wild leeks, wood leeks, ramsons, and wild garlic. Scientifically, they’re known as Allium tricoccum. With a small, white bulb and... more
February 13, 2020
I dedicate this Chocolate Mud Bars recipe to my father, the ultimate lover of all things chocolate. This luscious treat is everything a chocolate lover could dream of.
When I was growing up, and had yet to develop my chocolate tooth, a giant chocolate bunny always managed to find its way into my Easter basket even though the Easter bunny knew very well that I did not like chocolate. And guess who in the house coincidentally always got to eat said giant chocolate hare? Dear old Dad!
The ‘Mud’... more
February 10, 2020
Take me into a candy shop any day, anywhere, and I will walk out with a turtle every time. No matter how good the selection, to me, nothing beats the combination of chocolate, caramel and pecans.
I never thought I would be able to make these delectable treats at home. Turns out, I still can’t…but, I can make a version of them which is easy, delicious, and just as satisfying. Poor Man’s Turtles!
I got this recipe from a friend. It is one of those recipes that you don’t even need to write down—it... more
December 22, 2019
Rugelach are delicious Jewish pastries made from a cream cheese–based dough and filled with anything from raspberry jam and walnuts to cinnamon-sugar and chocolate. Find out how to make delicious rugelach pastries with our instructions and photos.
What are Rugelach Pastries?
The word means “little twists” in Yiddish, and they are a traditional Jewish pastry. However, after making the rugelach recipe below, the translation seems to have changed a little to mean “heaven in cookie form” in my home... more
August 1, 2019
Freeze your zucchini and summer squash when you have too much on hand. Here are two methods to easily freeze zucchini for year-round use (plus recipes).
Friends, neighbors, coworkers, even some side-of-the-road vegetable vendors will try to give away zucchini. Because once zucchini plants start producing, they are prolific!
Sure you could a LOT of Zucchini Bread and freeze it for future potlucks.
Or, you could freeze it for later use in soups, stews, lasagna, baking, and so much more!
How to... more
July 15, 2019
This open-faced blueberry pie is an outstanding summer pie that lets the true flavor of fresh blueberries shine! It comes together in minutes—and the fresh taste is divine.
When the blueberries are ripe for picking, this is my go-to pie. The trick is to barely heat some of the berries so that you retain the fresh flavor. Therefore, the success depends on using fresh berries, not frozen nor out-of-season berries. (If you don’t grow or pick your own berries, buy the berries that are in season... more
May 17, 2019
Whether cooking for your family or just for yourself, the Stuffing-Breaded Pork Chops With Pan Gravy is the perfect main dish to make you feel like a fancy chef. At least, that is how I felt making it. And my goodness, was it delicious!
The pork came out crispy on the outside and deliciously juicy on the inside. From now on, I will only use dry stuffing mix for anything that requires breading. The dreamy gravy topping was creamy and peppery and the perfect pair for the pork chops, as well as my... more
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