INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 3 cups pecan halves 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons sea salt 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, minced, divided METHOD: Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment and coat with non-stick spray. Place...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 3 cups seedless red grapes, halved lengthwise 2 tablespoons Spanish sherry vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 24 slices ‘artisan’ baguette, cut into half inch slices 1/2 cup shaved Manchego cheese Fresh basil leaves, sliced thinly METHOD: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup raw almonds 1 cup pecans 1 cup walnuts 1/4 cup shelled raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves, chopped 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika 1 teaspoon kosher salt METHOD: Preheat oven to 350°....Read More

Okra is available at KT Farms booth at the farmers markets from July to October. Okra is the most heat and drought-resistant vegetable in the world. Originating from Ethiopia, okra is a member of the mallow family, which also includes cocoa and cotton. INGREDIENTS: 1 large container Greek yogurt (32 oz.) 1/3 cup chopped fresh...Read More

This chunky avocado dip with chopped fresh fruit sounds completely contemporary but it is a time-honored recipe from the town of Comonfort, Guanajuato, published by Diana Kennedy in her excellent cookbook/travel memoir, My Mexico. Chamacuero is the indigenous name for Comonfort, where this recipe is made in the late summer and fall when the pomegranates...Read More

Want to know how to determine if a fig is ripe? A ripe fig will be soft to the touch and may exude a tiny bit of juice from the stem. INGREDIENTS: 10 fresh figs, Black Mission or Calimyrna, cut in half through the stem 10 strips sliced bacon,* cut in half for 20 short...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 2 large or 3 small seedless eggplants 1/4 cup olive oil 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup yogurt, drained in cheesecloth for 3 hours 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint, or 1 teaspoon dried mint 1/4 teaspoon saffron...Read More

Here’s a tasty recipe from the Castroville Artichoke Festival, an annual May event on the Central Coast of California. Fried artichokes are a favorite treat sold at local shops and stands in Castroville. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup fish batter mix 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup beer 2 lbs. baby artichokes, prepared and...Read More

These easy-to-make-ahead appetizers are a refreshing change from the usual sausage stuffed mushrooms.      INGREDIENTS: 24 large mushrooms Olive oil 2 lbs. fresh spinach, chopped, cooked, and squeezed completely dry 1 large fennel bulb, finely diced 4 green onions, sliced 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1/4 cup butter Salt and cayenne, to taste 4 ounces Parmesan...Read More

If you would like to use fresh artichokes, be sure to steam the crowns until tender before proceeding with the rest of the recipe. Otherwise, bottled or canned artichoke crowns work beautifully for these delicious appetizers. INGREDIENTS: 36 artichoke crowns, prepared fresh or bottled Lemon pepper and garlic salt 1 1/2 lbs. cream cheese 6...Read More