by Esther Henry
Corned Beef is a staple around our household. The prices have gone up and up in recent years, but they still go on sale around St Patrick's Day every year. This year we took a "quick run" to the grocery store the weekend before, just to grab a few things. (Yeah, right!) We were not... Continue Reading →
I haven't met anyone yet, who doesn't like beef stroganoff. Because of the rich creamy base, I always thought it was exclusively a French classic, but the name "stroganoff" didn't sound French. I was curious about the history of this dish and found a well-written, concise article about stroganoff's history. You can find the article... Continue Reading →
Did you know that the USA is one of the only countries that refrigerate their eggs? We are the ONLY ones that refrigerate 100% of commercial egg sales. Most of the world does not refrigerate their eggs: they just sell them on ordinary shelves or at roadside stands out in the open. Australia was the... Continue Reading →
It seems like autumn is the season when preserving the harvest from land and sea is at full swing! Kitchens across the world at at their busiest, and ours is no exception. We are in the mountains and landlocked (not near an ocean), however, we were blessed with a huge donated load of wild caught... Continue Reading →
This Easter season, we roasted up a whole leg of lamb, and foraged dead nettles growing everywhere in our flower beds next to the house, as a side dish. They pair well with lamb and mint sauce. Dead nettles are in the mint family, although they taste nothing like mint: they are fairly bland, with... Continue Reading →
One of the newest species of mushroom I discovered on our property while taking my daily walk, was a big bunch of Turkey Tail Mushrooms growing on a dead fallen log along the creek bank. I was stoked! Before harvesting, however, I double-checked the ID with some online research and indeed, these were the genuine... Continue Reading →
Vanilla extract is such a necessary staple in every kitchen. If it's not...it should be! There's nothing more versatile to use across the board than this extract. Buying the pure extract, especially in large quantities, can break the bank! There is a cheaper option, but fake fillers, colors, flavors, etc that go into the imitation... Continue Reading →
One of the easiest dinners to make is a simple pot roast! Every Sunday my mother would put a roast in the slow cooker, early in the morning, and get it to cooking. We would wake up to the comforting aroma, get ready for church, go to church, come home and...dig in. We couldn't wait!... Continue Reading →
Marmalade is a very ancient method of preserving fruits and can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who passed it on to the Romans, who traded and taught other cultures the art of preserving fruit, mostly using honey as the sweetener rather than the modern sugar. One thing I love about marmalade, is that... Continue Reading →
Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes: my mother's favorite go-to recipe for get-togethers. Whenever she was involved in a ladies' gathering or church functions, many asked for these cupcakes. For years, she refused to share the recipe with anyone. They were "her special secret." My beautiful mother passed away a couple months ago after a short battle... Continue Reading →
Simple Home and Hearth 