pickled garlic - part 1

see you in 5 days for Part 2

* Smoke & Pickles 

.....

a week later

it's MINE

My new AWESOME cookbook

Smoke & Pickles

by Edward Lee

hillbilly cooking

Yummy! Soft honey cake 

I bought a cookbook the last time we were down at the Great Smokys.

There are some funny ingredients that I would NEVER consider to try out.

But it's very simple and interesting things to cook.  Funny actually.

I might try the Vinegar pie.  

I've never had one before but why not! It might be good!

As long as it's not squirrel stew.  I'm OK.

Jam time

  

Look, I made Strawberry jam!

I used the Ball freezer jam recipe for the first time.

It was so much easier than the old cooking method.

I love the taste and the bright red color!  Looks so yummy!

Sadly, I used all the strawberries that we picked from the farm.  

I made some jam,  Chocolate covered Strawberries :-), quick Strawberry topping for a cake and I froze the rest of them.

Yep!  They are all gone............. 

Oh, Rats !

biscotti

Did you ever feel that when you wake up that you feel like you have to bake something.  

Yep!  Today was that day for me. 

Today I had to make some cranberry-pistachio-biscotti.     

I made them some time ago so it was a good time for me to try out the recipes again. 

The Baking Handbook by Martha Stewart was a Christmas Gift from my friend a few years back.

It's an excellent book for everyone from beginners to experts whoever love to bake.

It never looks like the picture when I make anything but it tasted yummy.  

It takes longer than everyday cookies or muffins but it's worth the time and effort.

 Make yourself a hot cup of Joe and grab two or five biscotties and enjoy your late afternoon.

I promise you, you might think you are on vacation in a small town in Italy.

I think It's time for me to visit the kitchen again.  Talk to you later.

friendhsip cooking

A few weeks ago my dear friend Paivi who lives in Finland came up with a wonderful idea. She said we should fix the same meal from the same cookbook on same day.

I have to tell you it was the most fun I ever had for a long time in the kitchen.

Our first meal was Veal Involtini from Apples for Jam cookbook.

You have to try it. It was yum yum yummy.

I love the melting mozzarella cheese with saltines of ham covered in tomato sauce.

What a dinner!

Thank you Paivi for your wonderful idea. I had a great time.

I wonder which recipe we should try out next.

If you are interested in friendship cooking.
Join us in our Flickr group - Friendship Cooking. See you there.