Gretchen Kruesi

chicken noodle soup

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup: A Better Way to Feel Better

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup: A Better Way to Feel Better

Beat the winter blues with this chicken noodle soup recipe! Delicious and nutritious, this soup is perfect for the whole family. The following is an excerpt from The Nourishing Asian Kitchen by Sophia Nguyen Eng. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Yield: 4 to 6 servings This soup is…

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Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 19, 2023 / Comments Off on Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

Want to keep growing great food during the cold months? Try growing winter carrots in your cold house! These carrots, which Eliot Coleman grows on his farm in the winter, are even sweeter and more flavorful than the more conventionally timed “spring carrots.” The following is an excerpt fromThe Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has…

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side dish

Elevate Your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Game

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 18, 2023 / Comments Off on Elevate Your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Game

Tired of the same old side dishes taking up the table during holiday dinners? Excite your tastebuds with these unique and flavorful side dish recipes! The following recipes have been adapted for the web. Amazake Rye Bread From Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich Shih (Note: This recipe calls for koji. If you don’t know…

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snow

Is Your Greenhouse Winter-Ready? Dealing with Snow on Your Greenhouse

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Is Your Greenhouse Winter-Ready? Dealing with Snow on Your Greenhouse

Want to keep your protected crops heated and healthy all season? Get your greenhouse ready for winter with these snow removal tips! The following is an excerpt from The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook by Andrew Mefferd. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Andrew Mefferd unless otherwise noted.) Dealing with snow…

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desserts

Show-Stealing Desserts for Holiday Celebrations

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 14, 2023 / Comments Off on Show-Stealing Desserts for Holiday Celebrations

Holiday dinner dishes and sides get all the attention — but the reality is, dessert is where it’s at. Here are some show-stealing desserts to serve at your next holiday celebration. The following recipes have been adapted for the web. Lost Nation Cider Pie From The Apple Grower Make ahead: The recipe calls for making…

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cover crops

Laying Down Cover Crops in 7 Steps

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 14, 2023 / Comments Off on Laying Down Cover Crops in 7 Steps

Want to make the most of the slow gardening season? Lay cover crops to improve the health of your soil and plants! The following is an excerpt from The Celestial Garden by Jane Hawley Stevens. It has been adapted for the web. Benefits of Cover Crops Cover cropping is a management practice that benefits the…

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gifts for gardeners

9 Books for Backyard Gardeners

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 12, 2023 / Comments Off on 9 Books for Backyard Gardeners

Searching for the perfect book to give the gardener in your life? These books are great gifts for gardeners at any level. Head over to our Gardening page for even more great gardening reads! In The Home-Scale Forest Garden, Dani Baker shares what she learned as she became a forest gardener, providing a practical, in-depth…

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wreath

How To Create A Homemade Wreath

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 11, 2023 / Comments Off on How To Create A Homemade Wreath

From clipping the proper branches to tying the right knots, building a wreath takes patience and precision. Create this holiday craft with your family to decorate your home, or spread the joy to others by gifting or selling your homemade wreath. The following is an excerpt from Carving Out a Living on the Land by…

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Spruce Tip Key Lime Pie: A Flavorful, Foraged Dessert

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 8, 2023 / Comments Off on Spruce Tip Key Lime Pie: A Flavorful, Foraged Dessert

Nothing is quite as sweet as baking a dessert with ingredients you foraged for yourself. This spruce tip key lime pie recipe is simple, delicious, and sure to impress all your guests this winter.  The following is an excerpt from The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora by Alan Bergo. It has been adapted for the…

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tools for micro-farming

9 Vital Tools for Micro-Farming

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 7, 2023 / Comments Off on 9 Vital Tools for Micro-Farming

Interested in micro-farming, but don’t know where to begin? Believe it or not, you only need 9 tools to get started. These easy-to-find tools for micro-farming will set the stage for productive growing! The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless otherwise noted, all…

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foodie

Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List

By Gretchen Kruesi / December 4, 2023 / Comments Off on Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the foodie in your life? Our wide range of food and drink books will give you plenty of options to choose from!  Whether you’re shopping for an adventurous cook who likes foraging for their ingredients, a fermentation aficionado, or a lover of culinary classics, you’ll find something for…

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successful farm

Tips for Operating A Successful Farm

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 30, 2023 / Comments Off on Tips for Operating A Successful Farm

Want to run a successful farm, but don’t know where to begin? These tips from two organic farming pioneers will help you learn everything you need to get started. The following is an excerpt from Many Hands Make a Farm by Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson. It has been adapted for the web. Lessons From Farming…

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homemade cheese

Let’s Get Cheesy! Sandor Katz’s Favorite Homemade Cheese

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 29, 2023 / Comments Off on Let’s Get Cheesy! Sandor Katz’s Favorite Homemade Cheese

There’s nothing quite like the flavor of fresh, homemade cheese — especially when there’s a story behind it. This cheese recipe, a favorite of fermentation expert Sandor Ellix Katz, requires a few simple ingredients that you can find in your fridge. The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix Katz. It…

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egg rolls

Turkey Egg Rolls With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Turkey Egg Rolls With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Looking for a unique way to cook with turkey this holiday season? This gluten-free and kosher recipe for turkey egg rolls is sure to impress everyone at the dinner table. Serve these easy-to-make appetizers with a side of Vietnamese dipping sauce for an extra kick of flavor! The following is an excerpt from The Nourishing Asian Kitchen…

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10 Books to Gift the Homesteader in Your Life

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 24, 2023 / Comments Off on 10 Books to Gift the Homesteader in Your Life

These days, there are a record number of people growing their own food and other crops at home. Whether the homesteader in your life is new to the homesteading lifestyle or a seasoned pro, we’ve got your go-to gifts for anyone who grows everything themselves. In the first edition of The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer,…

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red wine salt

Red Wine Salt: A Bold and Flavorful Seasoning

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 22, 2023 / Comments Off on Red Wine Salt: A Bold and Flavorful Seasoning

Add a rich and robust twist to your meals with help from red wine salt! This delicious seasoning is a perfect addition to dishes like short rib, lamb chops, roasted potatoes, and more.  The following is an excerpt from Salt and the Art of Seasoning by James Strawbridge. It has been adapted for the web.…

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protect plants

How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 22, 2023 / Comments Off on How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

Living in a colder climate doesn’t mean you need to give up on more fragile plants. By adequately preparing your less-hardy plants for the winter, you’ll set them up to survive and thrive! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been adapted for the web. Protect…

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crop protection

Extend Your Growing Season with Crop Protection Structures

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Extend Your Growing Season with Crop Protection Structures

Conserve your resources and enjoy fresh produce all year long by growing your own food in the winter months! Achieving a twelve-month growing season is as simple as using the right type of crop protection structure for your climate. The following is an excerpt from The Forest Garden Greenhouse by Jerome Osentowski. It has been…

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salt-rising bread

On the Rise: How to Make Salt-Rising Bread

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 17, 2023 / Comments Off on On the Rise: How to Make Salt-Rising Bread

Want to spice up your traditional bread recipes this winter? This salt-rising bread recipe by fermentation expert Sandor Ellix Katz has all the simplicity, flavor, and uniqueness you’ve been searching for! The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix Katz. It has been adapted for the web. What Is Salt-Rising Bread?…

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foraged and fermented

Thanksgiving Takes an Adventurous Twist with This Foraged and Fermented Menu

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Thanksgiving Takes an Adventurous Twist with This Foraged and Fermented Menu

From gathering items from the woods to fermenting your own bubbly, there’s something about working for your supper that makes it so much more delicious when you finally get to dig in. If you’re looking to really earn your Thanksgiving dinner this year, this foraged and fermented menu is just what you need! These recipes…

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cooking with pears

Cooking With Pears: Tips & Recipes

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 13, 2023 / Comments Off on Cooking With Pears: Tips & Recipes

Now is the ‘pear-fect’ time to begin cooking with pears! Get started with help from these preparation tips — plus a few simple and delicious recipes. The following is an excerpt from The Book of Pears by Joan Morgan. It has been adapted for the web. A Guide to Cooking With Pears The pear is mainly…

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mycelium

Below the Mushroom Cap: The Mycelium and Its Secrets

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Below the Mushroom Cap: The Mycelium and Its Secrets

How do mushrooms grow? How do they eat, reproduce, or spread? What exactly is a mushroom? All of these answers and more can be found in the intricate, web-like fiber found underneath these fungi: the mycelium. Understanding this “vegetative” part of the fungus is key to understanding the whole system.  The following is an excerpt from…

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vinegar

The Vibrance of Vinegar: Methods to Make Vinegar From Scratch

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 9, 2023 / Comments Off on The Vibrance of Vinegar: Methods to Make Vinegar From Scratch

Homemade vinegar is a delicious ingredient in many foods and drinks: quick pickles, soups, sauces, salad dressings, desserts, jams, and more. Before we work on creating these recipes, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of vinegar and how to make it from home. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It…

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seasonal brews

Bring on the Seasonal Brews: Drinks to Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 7, 2023 / Comments Off on Bring on the Seasonal Brews: Drinks to Pair With Thanksgiving Dinner

Looking for a refreshing drink to pair with Thanksgiving dinner? From cider to sangria to pine soda, one of these seasonal brews is bound to be the perfect fit for you and your family.  NOTE: Make sure to prepare these drinks ahead of time so you’re not working for longer than planned on Thanksgiving day! The…

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bed flipping

Two-Step Bed Flipping: Increasing Your Production on a Small Footprint

By Gretchen Kruesi / November 6, 2023 / Comments Off on Two-Step Bed Flipping: Increasing Your Production on a Small Footprint

Flipping your plant beds is as simple as 1, 2! Follow these tips for two-step bed flipping to successfully increase your crop production no matter the season. The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs and illustrations copyright…

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