If you are craving something sweet and do not want to wait, this cinnamon roll coffee cake in a mug is for you! I use an 18-ounce mug to make these and will often use whole wheat flour instead of the all-purpose flour. If you do not want the cream cheese frosting, feel free to drizzle maple syrup, add berries, or even ice cream on top. Enjoy!
Beets, or “beetroot”, are plants with edible greens and taproot in the Amaranthaceae family. They are part of the species Beta vulgaris, along with swiss chard and sugar beets. The plant was first cultivated in the Mediterranean regions and Middle-East and is now a staple ingredient in cuisines throughout Europe and North America.
In North America, the round sweet root vegetables are called “beets”, whereas in British English and other parts of the world they are referred to as “beetroot.” Today, beets are one of the few vegetables that are locally grown and available year-round in the Adirondack region.
For many reasons, beets have earned a tough reputation in the United States. People either love them or hate them. Some people are sensitive to their “earthy” flavor, that is thanks to a compound called geosmin, which is also the compound that we associate with the smell of “fresh rain” and “forest soil”. Some people are much more sensitive to this compound than others. However, their nutritional, symbolic, and practical characteristics have kept them on the menu from 1000+ BCE to today.
Latkes are not just a holiday food! A dish that is part of the Hanukkah celebration, this traditional recipe for latkes makes latkes that are crispy and fried to perfection. My kiddos love to eat these year-round. For a vegan version, use flax eggs (1 flax egg = 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed/3 Tablespoons water. Mix flax and water and let sit for at least 10 minutes, or until congealed). Although latkes are usually fried (as they are in this recipe), I have also baked the vegan version with decent results (they have turned out best in convection ovens). Enjoy!
So, you’ve been doing some hunting, managed to bag a few Grinches! Congratulations! NOW What??
Well, I wanted to take a moment and offer some suggestions and an easy original Grinch recipe from my own Whoville Santa’s chef pantry.
Now – Whoville Santa is a firm believer that proper Roast Grinch preparation begins in the sleigh. He recommends that once you bag a Grinch- field dress it right away!
Pizza has always been a staple in my household. When my children were younger, we would make pizza from scratch at least once each week. This version of easy cheesy pizza rolls, is a twist on the traditional pizza recipe, creating yummy hand-holdable rolls that are easy to dunk in additional marinara sauce. Feel free to customize these rolls to your preferences. I follow a vegan diet, so do not use any dairy products in mine (and I dearly love putting pineapple as one of my filling ingredients). My kiddos love ground venison, chopped steamed broccoli, or roasted chicken. Since this recipe is extremely quick and easy to make, you can make and cook several at one time. Enjoy!
Are you looking for some sweet and easy treats that are also refined sugar and allergen-free? These cocoa and coconut macaroons are dairy, nut, and gluten-free. They come together quickly, satisfy a sweet craving, and are kid-friendly! I sometimes roll mine in a little extra shredded coconut, or sprinkle some shaved dark cocoa on them. Enjoy!
Everyone enjoys a good burger, especially in Upstate NY. Here is a fun way to make this dish plant based to accommodate all diets. This recipe is easy and quick to make for all occasions. Not only does this dish provide the same, if not more protein, it offers many other benefits such as fiber and antioxidants. “So these burgers can help improve my health?” Yes! Beans are a natural source that provides many nutrients that meat can’t. They are low in cholesterol and sodium – both of which can be high in meats. Additionally, meats can be full of saturated fats while black beans can of er the body omega-3 fatty acids, AKA heart healthy fats!. So, if you are looking to improve your health without giving up a fan favorite, give this recipe a shot!
Apples are one of the most historically, culturally, and economically significant fruits on earth. It’s estimated that humans have been eating apples since 50,000 BCE. Today, there are currently over 7,500 known cultivars of apples, ranging from small, green and tart, to big red sweet globes. The modern apple is thought to have been domesticated in modern-day Kazakstan 4,000-10,000 years ago.
Apples are not native to New York State or the United States at all. However, today there are over 42,360 acres of apple orchards in the state of New York, which is second in the US behind the state of Washington for apple production. The United States (5M tons/year) is second only to China (50M tons/year) in apple production.
So how did the United States become a leader in growing a fruit that is relatively new to the area?
I hike a lot, so make (and drink!) variations of this natural electrolyte drink for hikes. One of my favorites is a ginger lemon-lime combination. I also love to make this drink with grapefruit, orange, or cranberry juice (or combine juice flavors). You can use honey or sugar in lieu of the agave nectar if you like, and can also use regular water instead of coconut water. Enjoy!
This USDA tested and approved recipe is from the University of Georgia Extension. It yields 7-8 pints, and produces a lovely, vinegar-free salsa. This recipe provides a perfect method to use – and preserve – the abundant ripe tomatoes currently (or almost) available at farmers’ markets or even your own gardens! Make sure to use caution when handling chilis and jalapeños, so that you do not inadvertently get the capsaicin oil in your eyes (don’t ask me why I am including that information here!).
Bacon Meatloaf Burgers
During the summer months, I cook outdoors as much as possible. Burgers are always a huge hit with my family, so I try to make different burgers just for variety! This recipe for bacon meatloaf burgers is a huge hit. Although you can make this recipe as-is, using ground beef and pork bacon, you can also make a lighter version using ground venison or turkey and turkey bacon. Enjoy!
Carne Asada, Colombian Style
Carne asada, or grilled meat, is a popular staple in Latin American cuisine. Although the exact recipe for carne asada will vary from region to region, and from person to person, most carne asada recipes contain a 1-inch thick, tough cut of beef steak, lime juice, garlic, onion, and black pepper. The final product, grilled to perfection, is cut against the grain into thin strips that are often used in tacos, and/or served along beans and rice.
This recipe for marinated flank steak is based on a Colombian version of the traditional recipe. If you do not prefer to use beer in your cooking, free to substitute non-alcoholic beer or even a dark soda (such as cola).
A Camp Chef Recipe Favorite
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Wild Turkey: The Story
My Dad and I never hunted wild turkeys while I was growing up. Turkey populations were nearly nonexistent in the 1970’s Adirondack region. My father and I had no turkey hunting season. Thus, for many years my soup pot was empty. My high peaks camp world had not yet discovered the wonders of Wild Turkey Soup.
A recipe for baking an herbed foccacia bread, an Italian yeast bread backed in a sheet pan and flavored with olive oil and herbs. It is simple, easy, and smells absolutely incredible when it is cooking.
Anadama Bread
This old-fashioned recipe is an easy way to make a delicious loaf of yeast bread. I usually use whole-wheat flour and blackstrap molasses, but you can use whatever wheat flour and molasses you have on hand (if you successfully substitute other types of flour for the wheat, please let me know!). It does not require a lot of kneading, and will make your kitchen smell amazing when it bakes.
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