When I look at the kitchen calendar in December, it’s all there. Holiday gatherings and children’s Christmas programs are penned in, permanently. My grocery list contains ingredients for upcoming potlucks and parties, and every time I glance sideways at social media, new and improved recipes pop up on Pinterest. In addition to cooking for special […]
Pecan pie is an overly sweet, crunchy, gooey centered wonder that contains nearly as many calories per slice as an entire Christmas meal dinner plate mounded high with ham or turkey and all the trimmings. It’s an over-the-top end, to an over-the-top meal. And, a good pecan is worth every calorie. Confession: Pecan Pie used to […]
At Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Taste Arkansas, we love our state, our farmers, producers, craftsmen and companies, and want to tell you all about them. Here is a little help in finding that perfect gift that says “Arkansas” for all the special people on your list. This season, we challenge you all to have an “Arkansas gifts only” […]
We might not be able to agree on the official pronunciations, but we can agree that few things announce the arrival of holidays in the South more than pecans. A simple bowl full of these freshly shelled nuts is a mouthwatering beacon for gathering family and friends. However, I believe it is in the kitchen […]
Learning to make a good roux was a necessary skill to learn after I married my Louisiana-raised turned Arkansas outdoorsman husband. With gumbos and etouffees, it all starts with a good roux. A roux is a mixture of nearly equal parts flour and fat – vegetable oil, butter and bacon drippings (oh yea, bacon) are most […]
Three Ingredients, Three Methods to Make Your Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce It’s hard to imagine a Thanksgiving spread without that colorful dish of cranberry sauce brightening the table. Don’t simply settle for a jiggling can-shaped side. Make your own flavorful cranberry sauce with Three Simple Ingredients. 1. Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen cranberries. Thawing isn’t necessary. […]
‘Tis the season for pumpkin. Is anyone else getting that feeling? It’s just so good, warm and rustic, not to mention beautiful. Whether we’re talking the bumpy pumpkins (yes, that’s the official name) that you set on your porch or pie pumpkins baked and pureed to perfection, the colors and textures of pumpkin just can’t […]
It’s hard to imagine Thanksgiving without a big, beautiful, juicy turkey. Stumped on how to pull that off? Here are the basics on how to have a beautiful, delicious Thanksgiving turkey. What to buy: fresh or frozen turkey? There’s not much difference between a fresh or frozen turkey. Fresh is more convenient if you’re pushed […]
There’s nothing quite like the flavor of a crisp, juicy apple or the rich, spicy scent of freshly baked apple pie. Apples are a staple in fall holiday cooking but not all apples are created equal. For instance, some apples just don’t make good pies. They’re too sweet, too mealy and too tart, disintegrate when […]
Fall is my favorite time of year. Crisp weather, warm sweaters, scarves and boots. Naturally, as the temperatures cool, my kitchen begins to heat up with warm, comforting foods. And, one of my favorite fall crops to grace my kitchen is the pumpkin. Many people only think of pumpkins when they are harvested for the […]