Covert operations: tortilla dip layers revealed
Layered dip fits in comfortably at casual parties. We shared this variation Friday evening at the Pumpkin Potluck Party. Layered Tortilla Dip Here’s what you’ll need: 12-16 ounces refried beans 1 cup diced tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 avocado, diced 1 sweet red pepper, chopped 3 scallions, finely chopped 16 ounces light sour cream […]
Mama’s recipe — roasted pumpkin seeds
This easy process to prepare roasted pumpkin seeds may sound like mama’s recipe. It hasn’t changed much since we hosted our first pumpkin carving party years ago in the California cookery. If you’re gearing up for your own pumpkin party, collect the seeds and roast them while your guests are creating carved masterpieces. Once pumpkin carving […]
Food writing with Monica Bhide
Food writers and food writers in the making: take a break from your recipes and browse Monica Bhide’s site. http://mbhide.typepad.com/my_weblog/ An established food writer and cookbook author who eats locally but cooks globally, Monica is challenging readers to pay it forward. She’ll be giving away a food writing class and a food writing phone consultation. So […]
Bookmark the Foodie BlogRoll
The Foodie BlogRoll continues to roll with inspiration and energy. With a small bow to The Leftover Queen and The Foodie Blogroll, here’s a note of appreciation for this diverse collection of food blogs. Check out the site’s 5 Random Blogs. If you’re looking for ideas, answers, menus and more, this well of foodie resources serves it up on […]
Nibble on these crumbs
Guess who’s listening? This time, it was me. Overheard at the youth league baseball park (where I’m earning a VIP pass in the bleacher seats), a couple of parents–undoubtedly the primary food managers for their families–moaned over struggles to keep the pantry stocked with worthy food. When I heard that they were running to the store every day for […]
Ready, Set, Scout
My youngest son, a new Cub Scout, is working on the Bobcat Trail. This week, our Cubs are reviewing a unit on food and healthy choices. With a school holiday yesterday, the boys packed a picnic lunch and we ate outdoors on a blanket. The picnic basket (otherwise known as a small insulated cooler) included fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, protein–and […]
A walk through the garden
Curry Plant Thanks to a class field trip, this week’s exploration in Austin took me to John Dromgoole’s Natural Gardener. The students loved learning about organic gardening. A walk through the herb garden will even calm a lively group of third graders. At 8648 Old Bee Caves Road, this organic gardening headquarters turns a visit into […]
Recipe recycled: pumpkin bread
Feeling festive but tired of Aunt Bea’s old recipe? Try my variation for a sweet fix on pumpkin bread. Candied Pumpkin Bread For an intense pumpkin flavor, use half fresh and half canned pumpkin. 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour 1 ½ cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 […]
A-p-p-l-e
Slice this: the Honeycrisp organic apple. The taste measures up to the size. This was a cookery indulgence at $2.99/pound at Austin HEB this week. It’s not easy to justify a bushel, but a pound of the Honeycrisp organic apple stretches all the way across a table.
Fall Flavor . . . Pumpkin Torte
Pumpkin bread rings in autumn, but this Pumpkin Torte will tempt you to skip the meal and focus exclusively on dessert. If you love your pumpkin and don’t mind leaving the bread and pie on the shelf, try this pumpkin torte family favorite. 12 whole graham crackers crushed 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup margarine 2 eggs, beaten 1 (8oz.) pkg. […]