Monday, December 23, 2013

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza

An easy read for a busy time, heavy on photos and light on words.  I hope you'll take a moment to drop in and catch up with me!

This is my last post for 2013.  I'm taking time to hang with the family, catch up on reading for pleasure, updating my recipe indices, writing up recipes and typing up blog posts.  I'll be back on January 1st, 2014 with a new recipe:  Soy-Sriracha Roasted Mushrooms (which will join the crowd at  Awesome Veggie Apps and Snacks--link to my Pinterest board).

Since 2013 was my first full year of blogging, I figured I'd post a year-end wrap up.  Because my inbox is overflowing, I'm keeping this up a while and sending the entire thing out on the RSS feed (want to follow me via RSS?  Click over there on the right to do so).  No need to stop by the blog, though page views are always welcome . . .

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza | Farm Fresh Feasts
Google Analytics' Overview

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza | Farm Fresh Feasts
Blogger's Overview (starting 5 years before I did ;)

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza | Farm Fresh Feasts
My personal blogging stats
Speaking of page views, here's a few snapshots of my blog statistics.  I added Google Analytics in April, so that's why there's no data for the beginning of the year on that image.  The Blogger statistics include all the spambots who leave comments telling me how fastidious my writing is, but I don't think I'll change my comments to moderated just yet.  The final image is my own spreadsheet, where I keep track of the various numbers, including returning visitors (you came back!) and my monthly Adsense earnings.  I haven't actually gotten any money yet, but it's nice to see the numbers going up each month.

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza | Farm Fresh Feasts

Most people who find my blog are searching for recipes, which is unsurprising to me.  The most common search terms for my blog involve variations of 'make ahead mashed potatoes',  'green tomato recipes', and 'tomato pesto recipes'.  Some of the search terms that are used to find me, though, are pretty funny ('can my dog eat tomato pesto [they like it]') .  My favorite search term is 'my husband wants me to wear pasties'.  And after googling that, she clicked on this recipe?  Okay then.

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza | Farm Fresh Feasts

My most viewed pages are not a surprise to me, and they are completely due to Establish Bloggers choosing to feature or Pin one of my posts.  Thank you for giving me the increased visibility!  I enjoy joining in link parties and recipe round ups, and the two round ups I've done will not be my only ones (though I don't have specific plans for the next one--any suggestions?).  This post is shared with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop, the From the Farm Blog Hop, the Wednesday Fresh Foods Link UpTasty TuesdaysWhat's Cookin' Wednesday.

While I have met many bloggers online this year, I've only met one in person (and she's shorter than she looks on her blog).  Thanks to Meghan I now have a granola habit.  Could be worse--she got stuck with Thai soup!

I've done two guest posts (someone wants me to fill in for them? how cool is that?):  one for Kristy of Gastronomical Sovereignty She Eats in which I rambled about gardening and putting up what I grow; and one for Jennifer of HOMEGROWN.org's CSA Cookoff series in which I actually managed to photograph a farm share box, create a recipe using the contents, photograph it, and write the whole thing up within a week.

I've been inspired by many cookbooks, and fortunate to review two this year:  Carrie's Experimental Kitchen: A Collection of Mediterranean-Inspired Family Meals where I got this delicious green bean recipe; and Melt:  the Art of Macaroni and Cheese where I got this amazing mac and cheese in a pumpkin and which inspired my pumpkin cranberry maple kugel.  If you didn't get what you wanted, or got cash--I recommend getting these books.

2013 Year In Review Photo Montage Palooza | Farm Fresh Feasts

This is the 159th post I've published this year.  I blogged before, during, and after the growing season of my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share.  I blogged before, during, and after my spouse's most recent deployment.  I blogged during vacations.  I stayed up late and got up early because words were inside of me that needed to come out.  I debated how to break down my favorite posts of the year, and opted for a collage of my favorite muffin recipe, favorite pizza recipe and favorite focaccia recipe, favorite entree recipe, favorite appetizer recipe, favorite breakfast recipe, favorite condiment recipe, favorite soup recipe, and favorite side dish recipe.  You'll notice there's no dessert.  To be honest, since I live within walking distance of both Salted Caramel Killer Brownies and Salted Caramel Ice Cream--and because I have so many beets to roast--I usually leave dessert to others.

Want a peek behind the scenes?  Join my FB page, where I occasionally share what's happening right now in the kitchen (warts and all) and spotlight great recipes I find from other bloggers.

I hope you've enjoyed my summary of 2013.  Thank you, I appreciate that you stopped by to visit. I'm looking forward to 2014!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Fennel Pizza with Chicken Sausage and Roasted Broccoli

Italian-flavored chicken sausage and roasted broccoli on a fennel pizza dough

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli on Fennel Pizza Dough | Farm Fresh Feasts

I have fennel seeds drying on a baker's rack/computer stand in my dining room, and I owe it all to Alyssa of Everyday Maven.  She showed me how to crush fennel seeds to add Italian sausage flavor, and it looked so easy I knew my daughter could do it picked up a bag of fennel seeds during my next Penzey's run.  I handed the mortar and pestle to my girl and the result was delicious.  

Chicken Sausage and Broccoli on Fennel Pizza Dough | Farm Fresh Feasts

Then I bought a couple of fennel plants, and (in addition to feeding the Black Swallowtail caterpillars, can you see 4 in the photo above, and one wee Oliver?) I saved the seeds which are now drying on the baker's rack.
Did I use the fennel bulbs?  Um, no.  When I was ready to harvest the fennel and add it to spaghetti sauce there were 6 caterpillars simultaneously munching away, and I couldn't be that cruel.  I can harvest strawberries--leaving the poor varmints chipmunks to find something else to eat, but to deprive the world of 6 butterflies?  Not my style.  The fennel bulbs are now buried under snow and some of the descendants of those caterpillars are overwintering in cocoons nearby.  Perhaps there will be more fennel next year--enough to share.
I've been sticking these fennel seeds in soups, in ground meat, in bread . . . and now pizza dough.  This was a very versatile spice purchase.  Thanks, Alyssa!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Candied Grapefruit Peel

A tart, tangy, lightly sweet nibble, delicious with a cup of tea. Makes an unusual holiday food gift.

Candied Grapefruit Peel | Farm Fresh Feasts

This recipe is from my favorite guest cook.  I'm just the photographer and note-taker here (and quality control manager--someone has to taste test!).  The recipe is simple:  grapefruit peels, sugar, honey or syrup, and water--but there is technique involved, so I've opted to use more photos and fewer words.

However if you like to read, don't despair!  For my 30 Days to Better Food Photography Challenge one of our early tasks was to 'write your food photo story' and I took the assignment a wee bit too literally, so after the recipe I'm sharing my short story, Grandma Came for Tea.  First, the recipe.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Black Eyed Pea and Kale Salad in Salumi Cups: A New Year's Day Good Luck Appetizer

A bite size appetizer of black eyed peas and kale salad, served in salumi cups. A terrific bite to ensure good luck in the New Year.

Black Eyed Pea and Kale Salad in Salumi Cups | Farm Fresh Feasts

Why is it considered good luck to eat black eyed peas on New Year's day?  Since I didn't learn about this tradition until I lived in the South as an adult, do Northerners/East Coasters/ Westerners/Midwesterners not have good luck ever?  What about folks in other countries?  Not everyone eats black eyed peas, you know.
Heavy questions for a busy time.  All I know is in addition to jumping into the New Year (from a stair, not a chair) I like to eat black eyed peas this time of year.  I'm good with these traditions--one's silly fun to do, and the other's tasty.
Sometimes I like to make Hoppin' John, sometimes I like to change it up a bit.  Here's a bite size appetizer way to get your New Year Good Luck, and if meat is not your thing, there's a bonus recipe below to an alternate salad/leftover remake.
Updated Note:  My mom emailed me that she knew salumi was not a typo but she didn't know what it was.  Salumi is the name for a category of dry cured meat.  Salami and prosciutto are examples of salumi.  I'm thinking pepperoni may be as well.  Learn something new?  I try to each day!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Chicken Spaghetti Pizza

Shredded, cooked chicken and chunky spaghetti sauce topped with fresh mozzarella

Chicken Spaghetti Pizza | Farm Fresh Feasts

I've been reading about comfort foods recently.   Jen's round up at Savory Simple  and Julie's round up at Texan New Yorker have me drooling and plotting what to make with and without my Strategic Winter Squash Reserve.  The weather is cold, it's icy out (the wiener dogs are ALL BUSINESS on walks, whereas Simon the Lab mix is prone to frolicking) and it just feels good to cocoon at home.  Who am I kidding?  I always like to cocoon at home!

It's funny, when I reflect back on the foods I liked growing up, how many of what were 'frugal' meals (we called them 'cheap night' dinners), are the ones I remember fondly.  In fact, a dish of sautéed beet greens is my version of mom's Swiss chard side dish.  We probably ate it because we grew Swiss chard in the garden and therefore it was less expensive (and more delicious, and nutritious) than buying vegetables in the store--but to me it's pure comfort food.

One of those memorable meals is Chicken Spaghetti.  I haven't made it in years--but Mom emailed me the recipe . . . um, twice (I'm a bit distracted) . . . and I will.  Before I do, though, I can share this pizza.  I was looking through the fridge for something to top our Friday Night Pizza Night when I realized we had both leftover chicken and leftover spaghetti sauce.
My friend Miho once said I had a fridge like Aunt Dorothy--you could find such a variety of leftovers.  Although I'd never met Aunt Dorothy, I do have an astonishing variety of leftovers almost all the time.  I even sent a full--leftover--Thanksgiving meal to folks who unexpectedly ended up in the hospital during a vacation in our city.  In April.  No, the leftovers were not 6 months old, nor was I blogging and shooting photos ahead of time.  I'd fixed a Thanksgiving meal for the spouse after a deployment.
Back to pizza.  Why not a Chicken Spaghetti Pizza?  It's a comfort food that tastes wonderful and uses up leftovers as well.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Orange Teriyaki Slaw Stir Fry with Orange Sriracha Turkey Meatballs

A colorful, flavorful, stir fry of red cabbage, carrot, celery and onion in a fresh orange and teriyaki sauce.  Served with orange-ginger-sriracha turkey meatballs and rice.

Orange Teriyaki Slaw Stir Fry with Orange Sriracha Turkey Meatballs | Farm Fresh Feasts


This is another Fast from the Farm Share meal, combining Band Fruit Fundraiser oranges and cool weather vegetables in an Asian-inspired stir fry.  Because I had it, I baked ground turkey meatballs flavored with orange, ginger, and sriracha separately and added them at the end, but this orange-sauced stir fry would be terrific as a side with a different protein source.

Working on the savory orange recipes section of my Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up gave me a hankering for Asian-influenced orange recipes.  Since I like to use what I've got, I opened the fridge and chose a red cabbage, a fat carrot, and the last of the celery for this stir fry.  It's pretty much slaw ingredients--seasoned differently and stir fried. I used ground turkey for the same reason--and because the idea of having my daughter mix, shape, and bake the meatballs appealed to me after a day of hauling fruit in and out of vehicles.

I don't have a juicer--but I have a blender, so I tossed the peeled orange and all of the sauce ingredients into the blender and made quick work of the sauce.  Getting the rice going first, and baking the meatballs while working on the stir fry, means that this meal comes together very quickly.

Orange Teriyaki Slaw Stir Fry with Orange Sriracha Turkey Meatballs | Farm Fresh Feasts

If you want a bright and colorful vegetable side, or a flavorful omnivore meal, try this dish.  It brightens a dreary day.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Everything Bagel Focaccia Bar (Pizza Night!)

Chewy focaccia seasoned like an everything bagel, topped with your favorite bagel toppings

Everything Bagel Focaccia Bar | Farm Fresh Feasts

There are foods that I like to splurge and treat myself to now and again.  One of them is a good everything bagel, toasted under the broiler then spread with cream cheese, topped with lox, red onion, capers, and--if they are in season in my garden/the farm share--a slice of tomato.  Like Albert in the book Bread and Jam for Frances (Amazon affiliate link) I set my meal up just so, and it makes me happy.

The first time I tried to recreate my treat on a pizza, one year ago's Potato Smoked Salmon Red Onion and Caper Pizza, the pizza, while tasty, missed the mark of what I wanted to capture.  When I first made a focaccia I realized what I'd wanted was the chewiness of the crust, and made a mental note to find Everything Bagel seasoning and try it out.

Fast forward to summer.  While at the beach at a spice store steps away from the boardwalk (I'd think that wasn't a great location, but they got my business) I found it.  As I drove back to Ohio I had my daughter take notes of all the recipe ideas in my head.  The first one I tried was Everything Bagel Focaccia.  It was good--but still needed some tweaking.

Everything Bagel Focaccia Bar | Farm Fresh Feasts
First try--too thick, and not "everything" enough.
Third time was the charm for me (and for you!), and I present you with a focaccia flavored like an everything bagel yet not so messy (I hate all the crunchy bits that fall off, though they are tasty scooped up and secured with cream cheese), safe to eat if your parents have invested much money in your mouth and don't want you to screw up your braces, and the perfect set up for a late brunch bar with assorted toppings.

For my birthday I'd like to share a Friday Night Pizza Night version of one of my favorite foods. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up

When kids knock on your door selling something for a fundraiser, do you place an order?  Decline politely and send them on their way?  Offer instead to give a donation?

Some items (Girl Scout cookies, fresh fruit) I always buy.  Other things (chocolate bars, popcorn, mulch) merit a donation.  Some things (cheesecake) depend on my mood at the time.  When I order fresh fruit, though, sometimes I need a little inspiration to use it all up.

Since my son's band is selling fruit right now, I asked my fellow food bloggers for recipes using fresh Fall and Winter fruits. I've got a massive amount of recipes to share, so I broke them down by type of fruit and type of recipe. As you can see by the Visual Recipe Indices above, I like categories.
I've got sweet recipes, I've got savory recipes.  I've got vegan and gluten free recipes.  I've got alcoholic and non alcoholic recipes.  Recipes for every meal of the day--and then some to put up for later!
Poke around and see what you like, then click on the links below the photos to go to the food blog where you'll find each recipe.  And thanks for stopping by!

If my jump links work, you can find

Recipes Using Mixed Combinations of Fruit Here
Recipes Using Clementines, Tangelos, or Tangerines Here
Recipes Using Grapefruit Here
Breakfast/Bread Recipes Using Oranges Here
Cake/Cookie/Dessert Recipes Using Oranges Here
Drink/Ice Cream/Candy Recipes Using Oranges Here
Drink/Sauce Recipes Using Pears Here
Pears in Bars/Tarts/Poached or Stuffed Here
Pears in Cakes/Crisps/Crumbles/Muffins Here
Savory Recipes Using Oranges Here
Savory Recipes Using Pears Here
Savory/Grilled Recipes Using Pineapple Here
Sweet Recipes Using Pineapple Here



Recipes Using Mixed Combinations of Fruit

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Top to Bottom, Left side then Right side)


Recipes Using Clementines, Tangelos, or Tangerines

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts


(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)


Recipes Using Grapefruit

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)


Breakfast/Bread Recipes Using Oranges


Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)
Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)


Drink/Ice Cream/Candy Recipes Using Oranges

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)
Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)
Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)
Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)
Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)


Savory Recipes Using Pears

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)
Fall and Winter Fruit Recipe Round Up | Farm Fresh Feasts

(Left to Right, and Top to Bottom)

Whew.  Now if anyone can tell me how many blogs are represented by this list, so I can brag about 156 recipes from 66 bloggers, I'd give you a big kiss. Or a shout out--[thanks, Sarah from The Cook's Life!]

This post is shared with What's Cookin' Wednesday and the From The Farm Blog Hop.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Citrus and Honey Whole Grain Muffins

Oranges and tangerines paired with honey in a whole wheat and oatmeal muffin

Citrus and Honey Whole Grain Muffins | Farm Fresh Feasts

When you first get cases of citrus for the Band Fruit Fundraiser, your family is gobbling up oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines as fast as you can peel them.  My family is as spoiled as the composting pig.  I peel the oranges for them as well. I have that hook thingamajig from Tupperware.  It makes it easy.
But after a while, the joy of juice bursting in your mouth pales a bit.  The palate gets a bit tired of such unrelenting sweet goodness. Like living in Hawaii with unrelenting sunshine. It happened to me!
So you get creative, and start serving the citrus as the main event at breakfast.  That goes over well, so for special people you serve salmon and oranges with dinner.  You throw orange sections in spinach salads and fruit salads. [And you freeze the leftovers of those fruit salads for smoothies.]  You buy apples.  And grapes. And you kinda forget about the handful of citrus still in your crisper.
As Norah Jones just sang on my stereo, <they're> just sitting here, waiting for you to come on home <and make a muffin>.
I wanted to make another muffin without added refined sugar, this time on purpose, so I grabbed the honey out of the pantry. Honey pairs very nicely with citrus.  Add in the whole grains--oats and wheat--and you're good to go.  This muffin is a great use for leftover peeled citrus.  Chop the citrus finely, or you will have odd lumps sticking up here and there. You'll live if you do.  I did.  Kids still ate them.
I like to soak my oats in buttermilk overnight because I like the texture of the resulting whole grain muffin, but even an hour's soak makes a difference if you didn't mix these up the night before.