Shad Roe
A true early Spring treat, which at one time was highly sought out, even more so than the Shad itself. Cooked gently to keep the eggs from popping too excessively, it’s a rich and flavorful roe and contrasts wonderfully with a squirt of lemon juice. In my top 5 favorite cookbooks of all time- The […]
Morning on the Wissahickon
Everyone knows that Edgar Allan Poe lived in Philadelphia, but did you know that in the 1840s he penned an ode to one of our scenic waterways? We had a fun Edgar Allan Poe dinner and our second course was inspired by his ode to the Wissahickon – trout, spruce butter, cedar broth MORNING ON […]
Venison Shanks
On a cold day in Winter, nothing is more comforting than a braised venison shank. In the video below, Chef Adam Diltz shows you how to make your own shank at home.
Teaberry Ice Cream
A true Northeastern PA summer treat, teaberry is my favorite ice cream flavor. Ice cream shops back home always had the brink pink Pepto-Bismal colored, slightly minty flavored ice cream. Our mom taught us at a young age to identify the plant, also known as Wintergreen, and look for the berries. When we were hiking, […]
Oyster with Sauternes
Oysters with Sauternes sorbet and horseradish mignonette– I have to serve oysters at The Gilded Age Luncheon They were crazy for oysters back then and especially the East Coast oysters that grew in such abundance and were so delicious. James Parkinson, Philadelphia’s greatest Chef, recommended serving them with a little horseradish, pepper, and vinegar, so […]
Maple Sugar
Apple Fritter inspired by a recipe from Martha Washington’s Family Manuscript tossed with Maple Sugar made from my brother at The Blind Pig Kitchen I recently did a private tea service where I wanted to add a little extra historical treat among my other offerings. I found this incredibly interesting: In Dave Dewitt’s book- Founding […]
Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Tale Dinner
Join us December 4th for a fundraiser for Roughwood Seed Collection. Dr. William Woys Weaver will be reading a Christmas story from his new book- Folk Tales of the Pennsylvania Dutch -and Chef Adam will be serving a dinner inspired by the book. Copies of the book will be for sale too. The Roughwood Center […]
Pheasant and Poetry
I recently had a chance to visit the Woodmere Museum in Chestnut Hill. It’s a great museum that has some interesting exhibits, one of them really spoke to me- Hearing the Brush: The painting and poetry of Warren and Jane Rohrer. Warren and Jane Rohrer both grew up in Mennonite farming communities, him in Lancaster […]
Cape May Salt Oyster Farm Visit
Last week I had the opportunity to visit Cape May Salt Oyster Farms. https://capemaysaltoysterfarms.com/ Brian showed us the oyster flats from raising them to cleaning and boxing them for the market. It was a very informative day and Brian’s passion for aquaculture and oyster farming was infectious. It’s exciting to see the Cape May Salts […]
Shoofly Cake
When I was young, I’d visit my great-grandmother, Leola Andreas, -Grammy Oley we called her, on her farm, she was a true farmhouse cook, in a room next to the kitchen, she kept all sorts of pies-apple pies, pumpkin pies, blueberry pies-3 different cakes, cookies, donuts, and other seasonal sweets. One of the things that […]
Forgotten History: Blue Shackamaxon Bean
Blue Shackamaxon Bean William Woys Weaver in his amazing book- Heirloom Vegetable Gardening – says the name refers to a place along the Delaware River in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Fishtown is what we call the area today and it is with great pride that I will serve them at the Fundraiser this Sunday […]
Wild Grape Juice
Wild Grape Juice In the Fall, when the vines were full of ripe grapes, my family would pick all they could around the woods and then my grandmother would put them in canning jars with water and sugar and process them. We would then have grape juice to drink all season long without having to […]