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Tomato Herb Cobbler

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Tomato Cobbler Photo

I start each Saturday morning at the local farmers’ market. I love the fresh produce, but I also love looking to see what is there and talking to the farmers about what they just harvested. Each week, from spring to fall, the seasons are revealed. The arugula and asparagus give way to peppers and peaches, and now, apples and pumpkins are just beginning to peek from the baskets. I love the timeless rhythm of the seasons. Right now, tomatoes of every size, shape and color are abundant and taste sweet and juicy, but I know, too soon, the really good ones will be gone. I have been slicing them for sandwiches, chopping for bruschetta, tossing in salads, and eating cherry tomatoes like popcorn. [Read more…]

Slow Cooker Beef Heros and Fun at the Great Midwest Balloon Fest

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Slow cooker beef sandwich photo
About this time in the summer, I grow weary of grilled chicken and plain ole burgers. Don’t get me wrong, I love grilling out, but sometimes you need to change it up a bit.

There are also those weekends that are so packed with fun or work you need a quick meal. Like this weekend, put this recipe in your slow cooker and come out and enjoy the US Bank Great Midwest Balloon Fest at the Kansas Speedway.  After your fun day, you can go home and have a great tasting, almost-ready-to serve dinner!  (Now, keep reading this blog–and you will discover when we will be at the Balloon Fest–and if you show us a picture of your slow cooker meal, you will get $5.00 off of our Triple Slow Cooker Entertaining Cookbook. [Read more…]

Slightly Sweet Dill Refrigerator Pickles

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Slightly Sweet Dill Refrigerator Pickles Photo I am a Farmer’s Market addict. I have to go each Saturday. I need to see what has ripened since my last visit. The colors, smells and ultimately the tastes of the market captivate me. I just bought tomatoes, blackberries, corn, zucchini, peppers, peaches and cucumbers. I love it all, but I was especially thrilled with the big baskets of small cucumbers that are perfect for pickles. I now officially declare it “Pickle Season.”

I don’t mean those pickles that take effort, brining, and weeks of fermentation. Nope. I mean quick, easy, and ready – tomorrow pickles. [Read more…]

Raspberry Shortbread Bars

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Raspberry shortbread bars photo

I love to bake cookies. Some cookies, I feel, are just for Christmas, like my gingerbread cookies, but there are a special few that I bake all year long. They are beautiful on a holiday tray and yet taste equally wonderful on a hot summer day with a big glass of iced tea. The red raspberry preserves in this recipe shines through so they look pretty on a Christmas tray, yet the raspberry flavor shouts summer. Raspberry Shortbread Bars are a favorite of mine and are great all year long. [Read more…]