Homemade Mint Extract

How fabulous is homemade mint extract? All you need is two ingredients: fresh garden mint, vodka, plus 6-8 weeks in the pantry. This takes just minutes to make. In fact, I made this extract while a sauce was simmering one evening. It’s that fast! This would be a lovely homemade gift for the bakers in…

How to Freeze Pesto

I went on a whole pesto freezing kick due to the abundance of fresh basil in my garden. I couldn’t bear to waste it! I made jars and jars of pesto to freeze for a rainy day and even froze some individual portions for sauce in a pinch. Here’s how to freeze pesto. What You’ll…

Pickled Onions

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I do not have a great affinity for purple onions. A little goes a long way with me. I’ve always wanted to try pickled onions to take the sharpness out of an otherwise pungent raw onion. I loved them even more than I thought I…

Homemade Fairytale Pumpkin Purée

Making homemade pumpkin purée might just be my new favorite thing to do in the kitchen. Not only is it incredibly fun (and thrifty!) but also makes the house smell amazing. It only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time to get the best tasting pumpkin purée of your life. Are you ready? I know…

Let’s Talk About Salt, Baby

I didn’t think I was into salt. I was wrong. In 2012 I vacationed in Camden, Maine, a charming little seaside town that forever changed my opinion of salt. There’s a wide variety of salts available in the stores around Camden but it was Natalie’s that really rocked my world. Natalie’s served me hands-down one of the best meals of my…