Herbs and Spices

Plums

Finding Urban Food Forests

A food forest is a gardening technique made up of layers of edible trees, shrubs and groundcovers. It contains perennial, diverse and multilayered landscaping. An established food forest can have up to 9 active layers including roots, herbs, ground cover, understory, shrubs, vines, and canopy. It should provide sustainable features for healthy cities, diverse and healthy foods, and good public space. The food forest should be flexible, have varied spaces, be well-connected (such as bike paths), and be centrally located. There is an emphasis on long-term sustainability through perennials, along with annual plantings such as spaces for community garden plots.

Finding Urban Food Forests Read More »

Herbs in Cooking part 3: Chef Christy’s Favorites

Now that we’ve covered several wonderful ways to incorporate herbs into your menus in Herbs in Cooking parts 1 and 2, I thought I would see what my favorites were.
I went to my spice shelves and took a quick inventory. Here’s what I found when surveyed my most-used (dried) seasonings. I have lots more, but these are the ones that I run out of and replace.

Herbs in Cooking part 3: Chef Christy’s Favorites Read More »

Herbs in Cooking

Herbs enhance the variety, flavor, aroma, color, and interest of your foods. Fresh herbs in salads add green chlorophyll to freshen your breath and benefit your digestion as well. You can process your herb mixtures in a small food processor or blender, your if you are really hard-core, break out your big mortar and pestle and have at it! Kids love using a mortar and pestle!

Herbs in Cooking Read More »

Ask Chef Christy - Edible Flower Salad

Cooking with Herbs and Spices at the Campbell Folk School

The John C. Campbell Folk School called again with another emergency cooking class they needed me to teach this summer. I was thrilled to be able to say yes, and teach a week-long class entitled “Good For You, Delicious Too!” We focused on cooking with herbs and spices, using seasonal produce, creating flavorful appetizers and satisfying snacks!

Cooking with Herbs and Spices at the Campbell Folk School Read More »

Ask Chef Christy - Ryschewys - medieval hand pies filled with dried fruits and spices

Rychewys – Henry VIII would have liked my GF version!

Ryschewys is a fruit-filled hand pie from the 15th century, and was one something that would have been served to King Henry VIII of England. Using my Gluten-Free Sturdy Crust recipe was a success! The pastry was flaky but held together quite well as a hand pie. The filling was a little dry so they were best with a big glass of milk or tea, but I will definitely make these again!

Rychewys – Henry VIII would have liked my GF version! Read More »