Make your own roasted sweet corn
Every year, when Michigan corn is ready to harvest, we head to the farmer’s market and buy 3-4 dozen ears to roast and preserve. The first year we did this, we bought corn from a girl who would harvest corn on her family farm and then sell it at farmer’s markets to raise money for [...]
Roasted Corn Chowder
I’m beginning to see signs everywhere advertising “Michigan sweet corn sold here”. It’s a food that I can’t resist and have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like fresh sweet corn. As Garrison Keillor said, “Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn.” Several years ago, Chris and I decided to grow our [...]
Infuse a little summertime into your lemonade with black raspberry and lavender
There is nothing like summer in Michigan. As a Michigan transplant, from a place where you avoid going outside and run your air-conditioner for the entire summer, I can say I choose this. I love it, and I start day-dreaming about it in January. I may get a bit annoyed by the mosquitos, but I won’t [...]
Dark chocolate covered strawberries: u-pick, u-dip, u-impress.
I’ve always wanted to try making dark chocolate dipped strawberries. I think they’re the perfect dessert, healthy and satisfying. Dark chocolate, in moderation of course, is actually good for you and is loaded with antioxidants and fresh strawberries are… well duh, and if you can find them organic, even better. The first thing I read [...]
Strawberry Mojito, a local twist on the classic Cuban drink
I’m not much of a sweet mixed drink person, so, the first time I was offered a mojito, I was a bit apprehensive. It only took one sip for me to realize that sweet is not how I would describe it but fresh is. The combination of fresh lime and mint makes this drink so [...]
Ann Arbor Street Food
“Through some rare genetic oddity, my sense of taste is at full strength only when I’m standing up.” – Calvin Trillin, The New Yorker When you visit street food vendors in other countries, you are likely to find food distinguished by its local flavor and food that represents well-esablished local traditions. This is because [...]
Making Mozzarella Fior di Latte
There are basically two types of mozzarella cheese. Mozzarella di Bufala (buffalo mozzarella) is made from domesticated water buffalo milk and mozzarella fior di latte is made from fresh pasteurized or unpasteurized cow’s milk. Buffalo mozzarella is made from milk of water buffalo raised in designated areas and holds the official status of protected designation [...]
In anticipation of the Topopo Salad
Most of what we grow in the summer doesn’t go into the ground until mid-to-late May because of the threat of frost in this region. However, there is still plenty to plant after the ground has thawed and the soil can be worked. Over the last couple of weeks we planted all of our lettuce, [...]
Dark Corner beer — a magical collaboration
Michigan has a surprisingly high number of excellent breweries producing exceptional beer. Michigan’s total of more than 80 beer-makers ranks fifth nationally. Two of our very favorites are Arbor Brewing Company out of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti and Dark Horse Brewing Co. out of Marshall and, when we heard they were working on brewing another beer together, well, we [...]
Black Bean Chili
In honor of these last few brisk March days, how about a hardy bowl of black bean chili? Black Bean Chili Ingredients 1 pound dried black turtle beans (~2 cups) (or 5 cups canned) 3 quarts water (or as needed for soaking beans) 2-3 Bay leaves 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 [...]
Basic coffee, more complex than it seems
No matter where in the world you live, there are going to be certain things that you cannot get grown locally. The cocoa beans used to make the chocolate we talked about recently is one example. Coffee is another. Both of us have become shameless coffee snobs over the past few years, to the point [...]
Maple sugaring, pure and simple
Ever wonder how maple syrup is made? Well, I did. Luckily, just down the road from my house, is Hudson Mills Metropark and they have tours on the weekends in March to show you just how the process works. When I called to reserve a spot in one of the tours, I explained that I [...]
Mindo Chocolate Makers
When I was invited by Mindo Chocolate Makers to come see their production of chocolate, I was thrilled. Like so many others, I adore chocolate. However, you will rarely see me eat milk chocolate or any chocolate with less than 60% cocoa. I have spoiled my palate with wonderful dark chocolates and, now, after my [...]
I ♡ Kale
I am so ready for spring. I am craving greens to eat and I want to see green. I want to lose the gloves and hat and sit on my deck and feel the warm spring sun on my face. We are not quite there yet, but we are close. Here in southeast Michigan there [...]
Fresh Baked Tortilla Chips
Making your own chips from fresh corn tortillas is a great way to take your Mexican dinner to another level. They would go great with, say, butternut squash enchiladas! If you can find a local tortilla maker, even better. Here are two examples in the Southeast Michigan area. Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory La Jalisciense Tortilla [...]
Butternut Squash Enchiladas – hot, sweet, and creamy
Several years ago, we had dinner at Seva Restaurant in Ann Arbor. Seva is a fantastic vegetarian venue but their food is so good, vegetarians are far from their only patrons. While we were there, I had their butternut squash enchiladas. Creamy. Sweet. Spicy Hot. This dish was amazing! I knew I had to learn [...]
Paczki, a first
I figured, since I’ve lived in Michigan for 8 years now, it was about time I tried a paczki and, after being open for 18 years, Zingerman’s Bakehouse figured it was time for them to start making them. That’s what I call a match made in heaven! Paczki (pronounced POONCH-key) are a traditional Polish treat eaten [...]
A better PB&J
A 2002 survey showed the average American will have eaten 1,500 of these sandwiches before graduating from high school. Yesterday I attended a HomeGrown Local Foods Summit, and, although I already knew many of the wonderful reasons that buying local and supporting local growers is a good idea, this summit really drilled into my mind [...]
Smoothies
I am a summer person and can get a little down in winter but, this year, I have been unusually accepting of winter. I attribute my acceptance to the fact that I spent a lot of time out hiking in it. However, last week we had a warm up and it melted all the snow, [...]
Selma Cafe
I had heard of the Selma Cafe several times over the past year and, today, I finally went. Selma Cafe is a unique place and, having experiencing it, I’m sure I will be returning again and again. Selma Cafe is a local foods breakfast salon that serves breakfast every Friday morning. (“Selma stands for Soule-Eberwhite-Liberty-Madison-Affiliation.) [...]