As the days get shorter and work gets more demanding, finding time to live sustainably undoubtedly becomes more challenging. However, one must fight on and prevail. The rewards are just that much sweeter. Because only Monday and Tuesday of this week were forecast without rain, we needed to use any spare time possible to getContinue reading “Planting in the Dark: Garlic”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Working with Live Cultures: Homemade Yogurt
Two years ago, while exploring the Viroqua Co-op‘s amazing book section, we stumbled upon a gem: Sandor Ellix Katz’s Wild Fermentation. Since then, both Andy and I have read it cover to cover, enjoying the exciting philosophical food discussions and the innovative and classic fermentation recipes. Among the sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi recipes is theContinue reading “Working with Live Cultures: Homemade Yogurt”
A Weekend of Affirmation
This weekend, Andy and I took a much-needed break from the steam of the pressure cooker and ventured to the Food for Thought Festival in Madison on Saturday and then to the Harvest Party at Harmony Valley in Viroqua on Sunday. Both days were reaffirming, exciting, and inspirational to both of us as we continueContinue reading “A Weekend of Affirmation”
Fettuccine Alfredo with a Summer Twist
A few summers ago, when we had an abundance of fresh veggies and were particularly into grilling them, Andy concocted this Roasted Red Pepper Fettuccine Alfredo recipe. It has become a late summer favorite, which we look forward to all year long! We serve it with another of Andy’s creations, Butter-Parsley Bread. Roasted Red PepperContinue reading “Fettuccine Alfredo with a Summer Twist”
Slicer Tomatoes: A Slice of Heaven
Despite the cool weather and gossip of a tomato blight this summer , we have had much success with our heirloom slicer tomatoes. We’ve been juicing them, eating them as appetizers, putting them in salad, and giving them away like hotcakes to keep up. However, we’re not looking forward to this stopping; we are quiteContinue reading “Slicer Tomatoes: A Slice of Heaven”
Who is in the Mood for Bloody Marys?
Over the years, we have tried perfecting our Bloody Mary mix, both fresh and canned. Today, I believe we’ve made our best! We used a juicer to juice the ingredients. Then, we processed 2 quart jars in a water canner for 40 minutes to seal. Before we purchased a juicer, we followed the directions listedContinue reading “Who is in the Mood for Bloody Marys?”
Pickled Cherry Tomatoes
If you’ve been following our blog, you know that we ended up planting 30 tomato plants this year due to my new found plant empathy. Among the 30 tomato plants were 6 cherry tomato plants. Andy, of course, nearly had a nervous breakdown when he realized I intended to plant all 6 of them. AsContinue reading “Pickled Cherry Tomatoes”
Am I in Spain? … Yummy Gazpacho!
On a hot August day, in the midst of summer heat and Wisconsin humidity (yes, it does get hot here!), there is nothing like a cold, fresh bowl of gazpacho, a piece of crusty cheese bread, and a nice glass of wine! The following recipe is the combination of a collection of gazpacho recipes we’veContinue reading “Am I in Spain? … Yummy Gazpacho!”
30 Tomato Plants ~ Oh My!
Last year, we grew our tomatoes in traditional tomato cages. They did well, but not as well as the ones at our CSA farm did! When we toured Harmony Valley Farm last year, Andy took note of how our farmer, Richard, strung up his tomatoes with twine. Three or four tomato plants were between twoContinue reading “30 Tomato Plants ~ Oh My!”
Potato Update: A Garden of Spuds!
Our garden continues to provide us with a daily harvest of potatoes. I’m enjoying watching Andy become Mr. Mad Kitchen Scientist, enthusiastically concocting new recipes, with our daily bounty of taters. Andy is a potato lover. In fact, he ordered 7 pounds of seed potatoes earlier this year from Decorah, Iowa’s Seed Savers. According toContinue reading “Potato Update: A Garden of Spuds!”
The Poquette Zoo and Kitchen 