What Goes Around Comes Around: BBQ Ribs in a Clay Pot

By Lori Powell

Having just announced spring last week, we are back with a cold front.  This calls for warm measures in cooking!

When I moved to Pennsylvania, one of the items that moved with me was a clay pot Romertopf -- the original, unglazed terra cotta pot for gourmet cooking, as the pamphlet reads). Funny what you discover in the recesses of your kitchen cabinet.

This pot was, I think, re-gifted to me by my Aunt Gladys when I got my first apartment in Virginia Highlands, Georgia. It was my first real attempt as a grownup back when I was 20.

Click to read more ...

Rhubarb Chutney for your Easter Feast

By Lori Powell

So, officially spring has arrived in my neck of the woods. Tulips, hyacinths and the ubiquitous forsythia that bloom everywhere at this time of the year are flourishing.

The birds are singing up some sweet tunes every morning. Two Mourning Doves showed up on my back porch during that horrendous rainstorm last Saturday, which I took as a token of good luck! Apparently they establish their territory in early spring.

I was hoping that they would consider my back porch as their home. They mate for life and these two were huddled together on a shelf, safe under the back porch away from the high winds and torrential rain.

Click to read more ...

Another Kitchen Sink Dinner

By Lori Powell

Yes, yet another kitchen sink dinner using ingredients that are always in my pantry: oil, bacon (you can keep it frozen and then chip off what you need), dried herbs and spices (keep them fresh by buying small quantities and replace after four months), garlic, Parmesan, and some form of tomato product and pasta.

I happened to have fresh basil on hand, so that just helped seal the deal of what to cook for dinner. Also, it was Monday (and a long one at that) so I just wanted something quick.

Click to read more ...

Cooking with the Seasons

By Lori Powell

I love Meyer lemons and I’m so happy that we are able find them. They are now widely available in grocery stores in New York and Pennsylvania. I am jealous of people who have trees laden with the fruit.

It’s amazing what you can do with a few ingredients when you can get the good stuff and follow the seasons. I picked up a small, lovely center cut piece of halibut and seasonal asparagus to round out my dinner plate with a little help from Meyer lemons, my fresh rosemary plants, good olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. All that’s needed for an amazingly fresh taste of spring.

Click to read more ...

Steak and Potatoes – Order of the Day

By Lori Powell

Well, winter hasn’t lost her sense of humor, but I’m really not getting the joke. We are expecting somewhere between four to six inches of snow.

Plants are going back indoors and my shovel is at the ready but at least this time, I only have to deal with a very, very short driveway and a garage! Livin’ in High Cotton!

Click to read more ...