Chelsea Green Blog
Food & Drink
Buying Meat for the Holidays? Questions to Ask Your Butcher or Farmer
Getting ready to start planning for festive dinners? Before buying meat for the holidays, it’s important to research a few things about the practices involved in butchering, packaging, and distribution — which directly impact the quality of your meat. The following is an excerpt from The Gourmet Butcher’s Guide to Meat by Cole Ward. It…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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?…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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.)…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Easy Fall Recipes for the Adventurous Eater
Ahhhh, autumn. There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are starting to turn, and fall recipes are getting ready for their time to shine. Start the season off right with these must-try, unique recipes for adventurous eaters! RECIPE: Cornmeal Rye Pancakes The following is a recipe from The New Bread Basket by Amy Halloran.…
Read More
Homemade Applesauce: A Life-Changing Fall Snack
Want an on-the-go snack without having to go to the grocery store? Whip up a batch of this must-try homemade applesauce for a fresh fall snack whenever you get the craving! The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Life-Changing Applesauce Makes about 2…
Read More
How to Harvest, Store, and Cure Squash
Squash newbies, this one’s for you! Learn how to harvest, cure, and store squash with these tried-and-true techniques. The following excerpt is from The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe. It has been adapted for the web. Featured Image Credit: Johnny’s Selected Seeds Harvesting Squash When we harvest, we don’t want to break the fruit off…
Read More
Bokashi Bins: Easy and Affordable Kitchen Composting
Looking for a new way to compost? With Bokashi bins, the organic matter from your compost is broken down and turned into a preserved or pickled substance. Plus, the whole design is affordable and easy to build & use! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Gardener by Matt Rees-Warren. It has been adapted for the…
Read More
How to Preserve Food Without Nutrient Loss
Want to get the most out of your harvest? Preserve food to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for weeks to come! Methods of food preservation like fermentation, drying, and salt-curing are very simple, don’t require fossil fuels, and promote food safety. The following is an excerpt from Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning by the…
Read More
Unique Pickling Ideas: We Can Pickle That!
Pickling goes far beyond turning cucumbers into sour or sweet sides for your sandwich or putting up your beans and beets. To show you what we mean, we put together two unusual pickling ideas for your perusal. RECIPE: Cinnamon Dark Red Plums You’d be missing out if you didn’t try these Cinnamon Dark Red Plums —…
Read More
Easy 15-Minute Meals to Promote Gut Health
Want to improve your gut health, while also enjoying the food you love? Try out these easy, 15-minute recipes to indulge in a delicious meal while still being good to your gut. The following is an excerpt from Covid Vaccine Adverse Reaction Survival Guide by Caroline Pover. It has been adapted for the web. Recipes to Promote…
Read More
8 Steps to Fermented Hot Sauce With Wild Greens
Hot sauce fans, this one’s for you! This easy recipe for fermented hot sauce with wild greens is sure to add an extra punch of flavor to your favorite meal. The following is an excerpt from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine, by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Fermented Hot Sauce With…
Read More