Inspiration

This time of year the farmers' markets are just brimming with freshly picked apples.  If you are like me, you can't help but pick up a bag at market and then go apple picking later that same afternoon. When you find yourself drowning in apples, you can preserve some of that wonderful fall freshness by making applesauce to last through the winter. This is our favorite chunky, cinnamon applesauce recipe. 10 cooking apples peeled, cored and diced into half inch pieces 2-3 teaspoons of sweet cinnamon (to taste) 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon of cloves 1/2 cup of brown...

Kids starting school, cool evenings, outdoor pools closing, and apples falling to the ground-- its starting to feel like fall! In honor of the cool fall weather, brew up a nice warm cup of mulled apple cider tuck into your favorite chair and wish summer a fond farewell. Osterhaus Family Mulled Apple Cider 1 gallon of Apple Cider 1 cup of orange juice 1t whole allspice  1t whole cloves 1t cinnamon 1 orange thinly sliced Cinnamon Sticks for Garnish Pour the Apple Cider into a crockpot or large sauce pan. Add the orange juice and the spices. Add the orange...

Harvest season is upon us! In most parts of the US, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash are abundant and gardeners are enjoying the (literal) fruits of their labors. If your garden is like mine, you have had to prune your herbs more than once already this season. Our penchant for fresh mojitos and mint tea just does not keep up with the mint plant's growth rate. The good news is that there are several ways to preserve those fresh summer herbs for the fall and winter ahead. Drying Herbs The most obvious choice is to dry the herbs and store them...

Scientific Name Elettaria Cardamomum What is Cardamom? Cardamom is a warm earthy spice commonly used in Indian cooking. It is available in pods, seeds or ground.  There are two types of cardamom- Malabar and Mysore. Mysore is warmer and spicier, while Malabar has a eucalyptus flavor. What is the History of Cardamom? Cardamom is native to Southern India. It has been used there for over 2,000 years. It was brought to Europe along the caravan routs and the Vikings took it from Constantinople to Scandinavia. How is Cardamom Grown? Cardamom grows well in warm equatorial regions around the world. Cardamom is cultivated in India, Sri...

Scientific Name Carum Carvi What is Caraway? Caraway is the seed of a plant in the carrot, parsley and celery family. The fruit of the plant splits into two curved seeds. Caraway has a warm and spicy fragrance and flavor. What is the History of Caraway? Caraway has been used since the Roman times to flavor vegetable and fish dishes. In the middle ages, it was popular as a flavoring for soups and bean and cabbage dishes. Later, English bakers began using it in confections, breads and cakes. How is Caraway Grown? Holland and Germany are the major producers of Caraway....