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The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.
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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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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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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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: 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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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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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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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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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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Sweet & Salty: Salted Caramel Sauce
Add a salty twist to your next dessert dish! This salted caramel sauce is a perfect addition to cheesecake, ice cream, and other decadent desserts. The following is an excerpt from Salt and the Art of Seasoning by James Strawbridge. It has been adapted for the web. The Salted Caramel Craze We have pastry chefs…
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How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Poultry Flock
There are many factors to consider when choosing a breed for your poultry flock — from climate to commitment level. Thankfully, we’re here to help make your decision easier! Below is some insight into the most common poultry breeds and their characteristics. The following is an excerpt from The Small-Scale Poultry Flock, Revised Edition by Harvey Ussery.…
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Crunchy Candied Tree Leaves: A Natural Fall Dessert Topper
Instead of raking and throwing away fallen leaves this autumn, what if we repurposed them and turned them into something beautiful & delicious? Embrace the natural flavors of fall with this recipe for candied tree leaves. The following recipe is from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web.…
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Composting and Recycling Mushrooms
Beyond guaranteeing a bountiful harvest, cultivating mushrooms on various surfaces has plenty of benefits. Growing, composting, and recycling mushrooms reduces waste and helps the environment. The following excerpt is from Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Tradd Cotter. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Tradd and Olga Cotter unless otherwise noted.)…
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Make Your Own Apple Kimchi
Kimchi is a tangy and spicy meal with many varieties, including some with fruits. This recipe for apple kimchi adds a seasonal twist to a classic Korean dish! The following is an excerpt from Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Apple Kimchi Denise gave me a 5-gallon ceramic…
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What is a Plant Guild?
What does the term “plant guild” actually mean? Technically, a plant guild is a beneficial grouping of plants that support humans, animals, and even one another. The key to creating a successful one is identifying the right design for your permaculture project. The following is an excerpt from Integrated Forest Gardening by Daniel Halsey, Bryce Ruddock,…
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Autumn is Calling! Cilantro and Pumpkin Seed Pesto
With fall in full swing, you likely have plenty of leftover pumpkin seeds to spare. Make the most of your bounty with this Cilantro and Pumpkin Seed Pesto recipe! The following recipe is from Cooking Close to Home by Diane Imrie and Richard Jarmusz. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Cilantro and Pumpkin…
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Facing the Beast: Practicing Courage and Reflection
What does facing the beast mean? In this time of uncertainty, we must practice regular reflection to achieve optimal happiness and health. The metaphor below gives insight into confronting and facing it, regardless of what “the beast” is to you. The following is. an excerpt from Facing the Beast by Naomi Wolf. It has been adapted for the…
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Fall In Love With Cidermaking: Guides to Making Cider
Get ready to take a bite out of the world of cidermaking! These seven guides are sure to help you make delicious, crisp cider this fall. PLUS, try out the bonus recipe at the bottom of this list to create a delicious dessert with the cider you make. Fermenting Apples for Cider Fermenting apples is…
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Designing Leather Goods: Cutting & Shaping
In a personal investigation into ethical and traceable leather, fashion designer Alice Robinson begins a ground-breaking journey into the origin story of leather and its connection to food and farming. Keep reading to learn more about her process of cutting & shaping leather to create handbags, shoes, clothing, and more! The following is an excerpt from…
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Three Recipes for Dried Tomatoes
Now is the perfect time to think about drying and preserving your gardening season bounty! Get the ball rolling with these recipes for dried tomatoes. The following recipes are from Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning by the Gardeners & Farmers of Terre Vivante. They have been adapted for the web. Tomatoes Dried Naturally Tomatoes…
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Low-Risk Silvopasture: Chickens, Turkeys, Guinea Hens, Ducks and Geese
Want to get started with silvopasture? The first step is figuring out which type of livestock works best for your ecosystem. Luckily, we can help with that! Keep reading to learn about the different low-risk silvopasture options for your farm. The following excerpt is from Silvopasture by Steve Gabriel. It has been adapted for the web. Photographs courtesy…
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Triple Apple Snack Cake: The Perfect Autumn Treat
Nothing says “autumn” like the smell of baked apples and spices fresh out of the oven. This triple apple snack cake uses applesauce, apple cider, and fresh apples to give it a one-two-three apple punch. Don’t take our word for it though, give this recipe a go yourself! The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s…
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Starting A Big Year of Birdwatching: Bicycle Beginnings
At a personal and professional crossroads, a man reset his life and found sobriety, love, and 618 bird species, cycling his way to a very Big Year. Join him on his journey as he recounts beginning his Big Year on bicycle! The following is an excerpt from Birding Under the Influence by Dorian Anderson. It has…
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October Garden Planning: 10 Tips for Success
Just because fall is here, that doesn’t mean gardening season is over! There’s still plenty of time to wrap up the season, prepare for next year, and tackle all of those pesky to-dos around the homestead. So without further ado, here’s your October garden planning cheat sheet. October Garden Planning: The Harvest 1. Pumpkins and…
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Managing Chicken Manure: The Joys of Deep Litter
Ever heard the phrase, “always follow your nose?” As it turns out, this is a good rule of thumb when it comes to chicken manure. Composting chicken manure in deep litter helps build better chicken health, reduce labor, and retain most of the nutrients for your garden. The following is an excerpt from The Small-Scale Poultry…
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