In winter, when fresh crop almonds fill the farmers’ market stands, there’s no sweeter way to showcase them than in a batch of homemade Almond Butter Crunch Toffee. This classic toffee confection combines buttery caramelized sugar, toasted almonds, and finished with melted chocolate for a treat that’s both elegant and irresistibly crisp. Perfect for holiday...Read More

This Scandinavian Caraway Rye Bread embodies the cozy heart of Nordic baking — softly textured, subtly sweet, and warmly aromatic from the distinctive caraway seeds. The blend of rye and all-purpose flours creates a tender crumb with just enough chew, while milk and butter lend richness. It’s a simple, honest loaf that fills the kitchen...Read More

This Old-World Dark Pumpernickel Bread is a hearty, European-style loaf with a deep, complex flavor and just a hint of sweetness from raisins and molasses. The blend of rye and whole wheat flours gives the bread its dense, satisfying texture, while cocoa and coffee lend the signature dark color and earthy undertones that make pumpernickel...Read More

This Low-Sugar Plum and Apple Spread captures the rich, tangy sweetness of late-summer plums in a lighter, naturally balanced way. Granny Smith apples lend natural pectin for thickening and a hint of tartness, while white grape juice adds a delicate fruitiness without excess sugar. The result is a smooth, jewel-toned spread perfect for toast, yogurt,...Read More

This Rustic Kalamata Olive Bread is an old-world favorite — hearty, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. With its crusty golden exterior, soft chewy crumb, and briny bites of olives tucked throughout, it’s the kind of bread you’d find cooling on a farmhouse table in the Mediterranean. The blend of rye, whole wheat, and bread flour gives...Read More

This charming Vintage Dried Apricot Pie comes from the late Elsie Rossi of B & R Farms in Hollister, California, where the Rossi family has grown and dried Blenheim apricots for generations. Elsie’s recipe reflects the warmth of farmhouse kitchens and the flavor of perfectly sun-ripened apricots—a treasured taste of California’s orchard heritage. Sweet, tangy,...Read More

There are many different methods for making basil infused oil, but I find this one works really well. It produces a deeply colored and flavored oil that will last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before the flavor begins to drop off. It can be frozen for a month or two without much loss of...Read More

These Maple Pecan Oat Scones are tender, nutty, and just sweet enough — the kind of cozy morning treat that fills the kitchen with the scent of maple syrup and toasted pecans. With a buttery crumb, hearty oats, and a drizzle of maple glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon coffee break. Fans...Read More

There’s nothing quite like a classic Strawberry Shortcake to celebrate the sweetness of summer. This beloved dessert has graced family tables for generations — tender, buttery shortcakes layered with juicy, sugar-kissed strawberries and clouds of softly whipped cream. It’s simple yet elegant, rustic yet refined, and every bite tastes like sunshine and tradition. Whether served...Read More

This sweet-and-savory Honey-Glazed Blueberry Pork Chops recipe comes from our beloved “Bee Lady,” Lynne Bottazzo of Amen Bee Products, whose local honey adds a golden touch to everything it graces. Juicy pork chops are pan-seared to a crisp, then finished in the oven with a luscious glaze of fresh blueberries, red wine, and floral honey—creating...Read More