Country Ham Scones with Pecan Cane Syrup Butter

Nothing pleases me more as a chef then to immerse myself into culinary culture. I created these scones to highlight cane syrup, one of the souths favorite but also forgotten sweet condiment. These are aggressively southern, utilizing staple ingredients that would be easily found in any southern farm kitchen. Smoky, salty country ham meets sweet…

Tarragon Peach Mustard

It was peach season and it was impossible not to pick them up by the pound. But that also meant I had to cook them in everything. And I did. This is a really great condiment you’ll keep reaching for all summer. Tarragon Peach Mustard 1/2 cup white wine vinegar 1/2 cup white wine 1…

Sheet Pan Blueberry Pie

LOVE blueberry season. My Great Grandmother Lola used to get lost in the woods picking huckleberries; a wild blueberry-like cousin. She would come home with bites and scratches all over, but a pile of berries gathered in her dress. I think about her every time I am picking my weight in blueberries at a u-pick…

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Tomato soup and grilled cheese. While I would gladly eat this year round it really shines in the colder months. Less is growing but all the work put into canning a tomato harvest and processing basil in spring makes the effort so worth it. Fresh and bright. Hearty and comforting. Grill up some cheese and…

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This isn’t a typical chocolate chip cookies post where I tell you I have the best recipe. Because I just don’t. There are not only tons of recipes, but people love these cookies in very specific ways. I have at least a dozen recipes for chocolate chip cookies. I think they are all amazing they…

Weekday Breakfast Burrito

Mornings are tough! Let’s face it, we don’t have time to wake up like we want to. If you are like me you are usually rushed out of bed. I had to find something that was fast and satiating. A while back I created my whole morning routine around starting my day with gratitude, intention,…

Fairytale Eggplant Tart

I’m a southern girl through and through and if you say tomato pie I will hunt you down to get a slice. But I am here to tell you, this one is the closest second best. This, like the majority of what I do when I jump in the kitchen, is put together. Sometimes its…

The Southern Caper: Nasturtium Seeds

I love capers. The little salty and tangy liquid filled bobbles that burst when bit into. Perfect for balancing a cream sauce or used as a briney addition to a martini, When I discovered nasturtiums I immediately fell in love with its peppery sweet nectar flowers. The seeds are hard to find sometimes on nasturtiums,…

Fall Spiced Squash Pie

Fall Spiced Squash Pie Basically a pumpkin pie, but more delicate in taste. To me, any fall squash lends itself to dessert. Ingredients: 3 cups of cooked cubed cushaw squash4 eggs1 tsp of cinnamon1/4 tsp of nutmega dash of cloves1 t dried ginger2 tsp vanilla1 1/2 cups sugar1 pt heavy cream1/2 tsp of pink Himalayan…

Sugar Cookies

This is the perfect sugar cookie recipe I use year round. They hold their shape and are buttery and soft to the bite. They lend well to decorating whether you use icing or imprints. Delicate enough to serve with tea yet sturdy enough to use with kids. I love all cookies but there is something…

Savory Tart Dough

Think biscuit meets tart/pie dough. You’ll want to keep this on hand. I came across it by a colleague of mine from culinary school. I have adapted it over time, but for the most part this recipe has stayed the same and consistently produces a tasty savory crust. Options are limitless as to what can…

Honey Roasted Fall Squash with Harissa Studded Ricotta

One thing I am really humbled about is getting to play with food. The byproduct if you will of saving seed is food to eat. Not so ironic why it’s so important to do this kind of work. But it gets really cool when farmers and gardeners become breeders and start designing food. Often times…

Sunday Sauce: Fresh Marinara

Sundays are my day for cooking sauces. It’s a tradition I actually grabbed from my Italian friend Marcella. It was something we would do often, and I carried it into my Sunday routine long after we moved away from each other. It’s a nice tradition to keep her close to my heart as our busy…

Market Brownies

My first job in the culinary world was at a little deli in a residential town center. We opened early in the morning, served fresh brewed coffee, homemade baked goods, and deli salads by the pound. I didn’t know it at the time but this would be the cornerstone of the career I chose. And…

Welcome Friends!

I am glad you stopped in for a visit. I have been in the industry for over 25 years. I have worked a variety of jobs in numerous kitchens. I love to cook. I love to make good food and share it with people. I started blogging because I just wanted to record my work….