Category Archives: cooking

Duck Confit with Ginger-Braised Red Cabbage, and Pan-Fried Potatoes

Posted on May 3, 2013 by diary of a tomato

Despite the hardy souls we see walking around in shorts (we mean you, Mr. UPS Man) and sandals, it’s still considered early spring here and evenings can be downright chilly. We find ourselves craving such warming foods as this duck … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

4.29.13 Preserving the New Season

Posted on April 29, 2013 by diary of a tomato

While inspecting our stores and planning this year’s garden, we’re making a mental list of things to preserve in the coming season: – Freezing peas — One of the earliest tasks; as with tomatoes, we can’t imagine not having some stored away … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, garden, preserving | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

The Science, Art and Lore of Pickling

Posted on April 26, 2013 by diary of a tomato

“On a hot day in Virginia, I know of nothing more comforting than a fine spiced pickle, brought up trout-like from the sparkling depths of the aromatic jar below the steps in Aunt Sally’s cellar.” — Thomas Jefferson Early one … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, preserving | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Pot-Roasted Chicken

Posted on April 19, 2013 by diary of a tomato

While we eagerly await the many delightful firsts of the season — peas, asparagus, and strawberries, just to name a few — we’re making our way through our remaining stores. We excavated the last chicken from the freezer and set … Continue reading →

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Potato-Rosemary + Onion-Thyme Flatbreads

Posted on April 12, 2013 by diary of a tomato

We were reminded of how good potatoes on pizza can be during a recent dinner at Flatbread. Featuring fingerlings from Meadow’s Mirth, our pizza was one of two specials showcasing local ingredients that night. Rather than being stodgy, the potatoes … Continue reading →

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Digestive Biscuits

Posted on April 5, 2013 by diary of a tomato

Plain, simple, humble. Above any other, this recipe for digestives, a type of cookie, lets locally-grown whole wheat flour shine in all its glory. They’re from Hanne Risgaard’s Home Baked: Nordic Recipes and Techniques for Organic Bread and Pastry, with special thanks … Continue reading →

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A Moveable Feast

Posted on March 31, 2013 by diary of a tomato

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months, stuffing my brain full of things I’ve learned from workshops I’ve either attended or given. Above, a decorated five-grain loaf from a week-long class on bread baking with Jeffrey Hamelman. Looking forward to … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, field trip, interlude | Tagged | 6 Comments