tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:54:15 +0000preservation (freezing)fundraiserlocal foodsfishnewsOEFFAbooksfarmers' marketsolar cookingtomatoeseating outedible flowerseventseat local challengeeggspoultryCSAcomfort foodchocolateBrivictory gardengrainsbakingEthicureanbreadfamilypotluckpermacultureLocal RootsrecipesForty Seeds ProjectWoo's BrewsherbshumorfriendsbeveragesPreserving the Seasonsbusinesscost comparisonGene LogsdonIndian foodbreakfastvacationWendell BerryToday's Kitchen Storefruitsmistakesfarmingeconomyholidaypreservation (canning)riendsgoing greenpreservation (pickling)philosophypreservation (drying)blogdairynew skillsuse it upseed savingpreservation (misc.)dessertIndependence DaysequipmentvegetablesdemonstrationpastaquotesforagingsnowwritingnutsMaking the world a better place -- one happy stomach at a time.http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)Blogger1301125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-5427695429980512083Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +00002012-01-26T13:41:14.510-05:00fruitsbakinguse it updessertbusinessThe bakery case at Local Roots has been looking a little roomy this month, so I've been trying to do my part by contributing a little more in the way of good desserts with local ingredients. The last two cakes I've made -- apple spice streusel and cherry-almond -- have been received so well that I had to make second cakes each week.This week, though, I wanted to make something a little http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/01/take-tart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-6114442531954733898Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:15:00 +00002012-01-26T13:27:52.228-05:00vegetablespreservation (freezing)use it upcomfort foodvictory gardenWinter has been quite the tease so far this year. A burst of flurries is followed by a warm day or two, the temperatures fluctuate wildly, and blizzards give way to thunderstorms or sleet. I just don't know what to expect any more.But even though there still hasn't been much snow to enjoy, I'm definitely into my winter eating habits: lots of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and -- of course -- root http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/01/these-roots-were-made-for-talkin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-7706162738085397608Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:19:00 +00002012-01-21T06:35:33.524-05:00grainsbakingbreaddemonstrationToday's Kitchen StoreAs I started to pick up steam in teaching cooking classes at Today's Kitchen Store, the kitchen manager asked if I could offer some classes on baking with whole grains. I pondered it for a bit, then said, "Sure!" I scheduled two classes to start the New Year -- one on the difference between traditional kneaded doughs and the new no-knead breads, and one on the difference between wheat and http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/01/filling-knead.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-7622525436718649670Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:05:00 +00002012-01-21T06:15:40.683-05:00vegetablesuse it upcomfort foodvictory gardenWhew! Now that Christmas -- and the mad dash of baking that preceded it -- is over, I can take a partial vacation week and maybe get caught up with things at home.I say maybe because, well, really, who am I kidding? I'm still baking bread for market this week -- though not as much -- and I have a to-do list as long as my arm. So while I have great hopes that I will accomplish a lot, I'm not http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/12/are-my-roots-showing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-3013963659342466888Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +00002011-12-14T14:14:43.616-05:00bakingbreadholidaybusinessThe holidays are drawing closer, and I've been busy baking every day, turning out not only the usual daily breads but also some holiday favorites and other seasonal treats. The Renaissance Man sometimes likes to stop by just to inhale the aromas, and I can't say I blame him, especially since olfactory pleasure is the only kind I can indulge in where my baking is concerned these days.So here are http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/12/common-scents.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-4099068277924403400Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:42:00 +00002011-12-14T13:53:56.538-05:00bakingbreaddemonstrationToday's Kitchen StoreholidaybusinessSince I enjoy teaching cooking classes at Today's Kitchen Store so much, I let the owners and the kitchen manager persuade me into scheduling a few baking classes. Yesterday I kicked off a month-long flurry of sharing my baking techniques with a class on holiday yeast breads.Now, a baking class is a very different animal than the seasonal produce classes I had taught so far. Given the same timehttp://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/12/star-in-yeast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-7112417712952206205Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:38:00 +00002011-12-04T16:16:55.019-05:00blogEthicureanbakingfriendsToday's Kitchen Storewritingvictory gardenWhat did I say in that long-ago last post? Yep. Blink. There went November.Now all of a sudden, it's December -- and I'm knee-deep into holiday preparations in baking, not to mention trying to find a moment to celebrate this little blog's anniversary. Hard to believe I've been writing here for seven years now.So maybe that explains why I'm feeling unsure of the future direction here -- that http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/12/oh-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-2497129276761691437Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:39:00 +00002011-11-12T06:23:07.853-05:00vegetablespreservation (drying)Independence Daysbakingherbsfriendsvictory gardenHere it is, almost mid-November, and I feel like the last two months of the year are going to speed by in a blink at this rate. I still need to finish cleaning up the garden for the year and harvest a little more, but uff da, I am tired and just not finding the time to do it justice, especially with other events and holiday celebrations starting to fill the calendar.I'm also having to shift the http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/11/independence-days-2011-12-slowing-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-8055593346876038252Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:19:00 +00002011-11-12T05:36:41.890-05:00herbsdemonstrationfriendsToday's Kitchen StoreI did not think I would take so readily to teaching cooking classes. I mean, I love the one-on-one teaching I've given former students, friends, and My Adorable Nephews over the years because it gives me the chance to share my knowledge and take pride in their learning. But to teach a class? I always thought I'd be nervous and clumsy and not really a satisfying instructor.The classes I've http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-go-garlic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-564136014773906164Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:25:00 +00002011-10-24T09:32:22.483-04:00new skillsvegetablespreservation (drying)preservation (misc.)Independence Daysbakingfriendsvictory garden<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/10/independence-days-2011-11-rain-and-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-4136971012662072803Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:02:00 +00002011-10-07T06:18:12.822-04:00fruitsforagingbeveragespreservation (canning)friendsSometimes it's what you know.Sometimes it's who you know.And sometimes... it's a little of both.I'd been hesitating to put away the last of my canning equipment for the year because I was hoping that I'd find Fredonia or Concord grapes at the market any week now. I haven't made grape juice in two years, and I drained the last jar some time back. But though I'd spotted Reliance grapes earlier inhttp://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/10/grape-teamwork.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-5934680894592147431Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:43:00 +00002011-09-26T14:53:25.275-04:00fruitspreservation (drying)Independence Daysherbsvictory gardenNow that fall is here -- in truth as well as in spirit -- I'm content to start seeing the garden die back before winter. I had hoped to plant more fall crops to extend the growing season, and I'm pleased to report that the beets and turnips I put in last month seem to be growing nicely, but I'm also happy to start clearing the garden and adding layers of mulch for a nice winter coat.But though http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/09/independence-days-2011-10-winding-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-2867663755157214301Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:21:00 +00002011-09-26T14:36:09.149-04:00fruitsLocal RootsdemonstrationToday's Kitchen StoreAfter my first official cooking class -- with me as the teacher -- this summer, it took me a while to build up enthusiasm and interest in doing it again. Fortunately, my contacts at Today's Kitchen Store were both patient and encouraging, and since you know my love of local foods, you can imagine it didn't take long before I was ready to sign up for another class -- or three.The first class I http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/09/so-apple-together.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-4063039874182010203Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:30:00 +00002011-09-10T12:38:50.820-04:00vegetablestomatoespreservation (drying)Independence Daysherbspreservation (canning)preservation (freezing)victory garden<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/09/independence-days-2011-9-is-it-fall-yet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-6597528678192555264Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:16:00 +00002011-09-07T14:26:50.414-04:00vegetablesLocal Rootspreservation (freezing)Fall has decided to slide in a little early around here, with cool temperatures, grey skies, and occasional rain. And after last week's flirtation with 90+ degree days, I am more than happy to embrace the cooler weather!I took advantage of that weather over the holiday weekend in order to give the kitchen a deep cleaning. While I try to keep the kitchen in respectable order from week to week, http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/09/making-roast-of-cool-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-8479718550544035755Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:06:00 +00002011-09-07T14:15:50.674-04:00tomatoespreservation (canning)I have managed to get through the entire harvest season without pulling out my canner -- until now. I decided early on this year that I didn't want to bother with making jam (since I still have a shelf full of jars I don't use), and I spent the hot weeks putting produce and herbs either in the freezer or the dryer.But it's tomato season, and I definitely need more tomatoes for the winter. So myhttp://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/08/stop-saucing-me-around.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-5849177454229797294Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:58:00 +00002011-08-26T08:06:40.603-04:00vegetablestomatoespreservation (drying)Independence Daysherbspreservation (canning)victory garden<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/08/independence-days-2011-8-tomato-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-3446635994392731792Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:53:00 +00002011-08-14T15:04:10.973-04:00fruitsvegetablespreservation (drying)preservation (misc.)Independence Daysherbspreservation (freezing)victory gardenHmmm. So much for staying on top of things this summer. It's mid-August already, parts of the garden are starting to die down, Local Roots is now open six days a week (which means I am baking six days a week), and life is a blur. So without further ado (because I'm just too tired to be pert): 1. Plant something: started seeds for Thompson and Romanesco broccoli, Golden Detroit beets, http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/08/independence-days-2011-7-its-mid-august.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-4129116354916906939Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:29:00 +00002011-07-24T12:34:43.639-04:00CSAfriendsdairybusinessFile this idea under "Truly Awesome":My buddy Brian Schlatter of Canal Junction Farmstead Cheese (home of the delicious Parmesan-style Burr Oak cheese and the fabulous Gruyere-like Flat Rock) has a new project: a community-supported cheese vat.OK, you've heard of Community-Supported Agriculture by now, right? This takes that concept of locally-financed food production in a new direction. http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/07/cheese-vats-great-idea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-4107321183392788773Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:12:00 +00002011-07-24T12:25:28.017-04:00fruitsvegetablespreservation (drying)Independence Daysherbsfriendspreservation (freezing)Today's Kitchen Storevictory gardenWHEW.I don't know about you, but that massive heat "dome" that settled over the eastern half of the country this past week just about knocked the stuffing out of me. Even with waking at 2 AM to get most of the baking out of the way before the day really got unbearable -- even with lower sales making extra baking unnecessary -- even with camping out at Local Roots in the afternoons to enjoy a bithttp://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/07/independence-days-2011-6-too-darn-hot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-6771357436357353402Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:31:00 +00002011-07-15T13:45:49.970-04:00fruitsLocal RootsdemonstrationToday's Kitchen StoremistakesA long time ago, I started working on a doctorate in history, thinking that I wanted to teach college. I discovered fairly soon after starting my program that I wasn't really cut out for teaching history and that I worked better one on one with people or with small groups.Even though I left a teaching career way behind, I've found ways to teach over the years, mainly in the kitchen. It started http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/07/summertime-blues.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-743597826567202877Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:17:00 +00002011-07-15T13:23:16.890-04:00fruitsvegetablespreservation (drying)preservation (misc.)Independence Daysherbspreservation (freezing)victory gardenOh, good grief, it's July already?And since it's July, the weather must be into its summer cycle of heat, humidity, occasional storms, and occasional cool spells. Yep, we've definitely had all of that lately.I did pretty well on the Independence Days front for a while, and then the first weekend of July rolled around, and I ran off to The Farm for a long weekend at the start of the annual Farm http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/07/independence-days-2011-5-heat-is-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-2391389500609038998Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:44:00 +00002011-06-27T10:57:28.181-04:00vegetablesherbsvictory gardenWe've had good weather this weekend -- sunny, warm but not blazingly hot, breezy -- so today I convinced myself it was a good time to get out to the gardens!I started with putting in about an hour in the Renaissance Man's garden, weeding like mad. The plot has a tendency to harbor wild onions along with the usual weedy suspects and unruly mint and lemon balm, so I needed to take some time to http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/06/greens-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-3901658461804143518Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:30:00 +00002011-06-27T10:37:39.610-04:00new skillsLocal RootsdairyHow keen are your senses? Can you distinguish even fine levels of saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, or sour? How much do you know about cheese and your sensory enjoyment of this widely varying food? I try to maintain that there's always something new for me to learn, so last evening, I joined about fifteen other people at Local Roots to learn more about the nuances of smell, taste, and touch http://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/06/cheese-that-makes-sense.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444072.post-2293707035670999608Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:52:00 +00002011-06-24T06:04:30.656-04:00vegetablespreservation (drying)Local Rootsbakingherbspreservation (freezing)victory gardenSummer is finally here! In a way, it seems like it wasn't that long ago when we were desperate for the ground to warm up enough for planting, and yet it also seems like it has taken forever for summer to get here.This week at the market I've been watching the Renaissance Man start installing the big vertical sundial on the south face of the building. The gnomon (the metal shadow-caster) went uphttp://baklavaqueen.blogspot.com/2011/06/independence-days-2011-4-summers-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Baklava Queen)0