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About Dorothy

Dorothy Stainbrook is a specialty crop farmer and recipe developer based in Minnesota. She's been growing heirloom tomatoes, chile peppers, blueberries, and culinary herbs on her 23-acre farm for over two decades, selling at Twin Cities farmers markets since 2000. A 3x Good Food Awards winner (2012, 2013, 2015) and board member of Les Dames d'Escoffier Minnesota, Dorothy spent five years as a slow carb diet coach, helping 400+ clients learn to cook healthy, flavorful food. Her work has been featured in Saveur, Wine Spectator, Culture Magazine, and the Star Tribune. Her farm is called HeathGlen Farm or HeathGlen Organic Farm.

When to Plant Tomatoes: Using Nature’s Cues (Phenology)

Quick Summary: Phenology uses nature’s signals (blooming plants, migrating birds, emerging insects) to determine optimal planting times. For tomatoes in Zone 4-5, wait until Memorial Day regardless of warm spring temperatures. Other cues: plant corn when oak leaves are squirrel-ear sized, potatoes when dandelions bloom, peas at apple blossom time, squash and beans when lilacs …

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Ponche: Traditional Mexican Christmas Drink (Plus Regional Variations)

Quick Summary: Ponche navideño is Mexico’s traditional Christmas punch, a warm, spiced fruit drink simmered with tejocote, guava, cinnamon, and piloncillo. Served throughout Las Posadas (the nine-day celebration leading to Christmas). Drink it like a hot fruit tea or add a shot of tequila for ponche con piquete. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 1 hr …

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White Tea Cocktail with Cucumber, Honey, and Thyme

When I work with blending my HeathGlen teas for the farmers market, I have to be particularly careful with additions to white tea, as it is a light tea that is easily overpowered. This cocktail enhances the white tea with cucumber, honey and thyme without overwhelming the delicate nature of the white tea. Add a …

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Chocolate Sprinkle Thumbprint Cookies: Nutella & Dulce de Leche Fillings

Thumbprint cookies are one of the easiest cookies to make along with being one of most flexible and festive. Change out the chocolate sprinkles for a different color and change out the filling to your favorite preserve and poof, you have thumbprint cookies that will match any holiday. These are filled with Nutella and with …

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Savory Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies: Holiday Baking

Cornmeal gives these cookies a whole-grain crunch, similar to a cornmeal biscuit. Adding the lime jelly (or other flavor of jelly or preserves) adds sweetness without the predominant sugary taste of many cookies. These rustic, savory thumbprint cookies make a beautiful addition to the holiday cookie platter or a creative cookie to include in the …

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Ginger-Spiced Thumbprint Cookies with Champagne Jelly

Thumbprint cookies are iconic around Christmas time and no other cookies can compete with the simplicity and amount of flexibility in flavors they offer. These ginger-spiced thumbprint cookies can be filled with endless possibilities, but using a jewel-toned champagne jelly makes them shimmer and sparkle for the holiday cookie tray. Jump to: RECIPE | Best …

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Savory Thumbprint Cookies with Hot Pepper Jelly

These savory Thumbprint Cookies are perfect for family or friends who don’t care for traditional sweet cookies. They are made with cheddar and parmesan cheese and then filled with hot pepper jelly or your favorite preserve. They are a festive way to enjoy holiday cookies that are not so sweet. Jump To: RECIPE | Other …

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate and peanut butter is a combination that never gets old. Add a raspberry jam filling to these soft chocolate thumbprint cookies and you have a trifecta of flavor! Simple, loved by old and young and a hit around the holidays. Jump to: RECIPE This post may contain affiliate links, and you can read our disclosure …

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Thumbprint Cookies with a Lemon Filling

These shortbread thumbprint cookies are filled with a bright, citrusy lemon filling and then dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for spring baking or for an Easter treat. The lemon filling can be store-bought lemon curd, lemon marmalade or even an orange jelly. The shortbread cookie part is easier than making a pie crust, so they come …

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Turkey Gravy, Make-Ahead Stock, & Gravy Rescue Tips

If you’re stressing about gravy this Thanksgiving, stop. Gravy can be a handful because it’s usually the last thing to make, and you want to serve it hot. Make this homemade turkey stock a day or two ahead of time to avoid the last-minute stress, and ensure your gravy is full of flavor. Even with …

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Low Carb Baked Cauliflower with Saffron & Olives 

Cauliflower is a mainstay of many low carb diets. There are many different ways to prepare it however, and this simple baked cauliflower dish becomes special with the robust additions of saffron and Mediterranean green olives. It is easy enough for weeknight dinners and elegant enough for the Thanksgiving table. Jump to: RECIPE | About …

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Sopa de Fideo: Mexican Noodle Soup with Leftover Turkey

Quick Summary: Mexico’s comfort food classic: toasted noodles in a savory tomato-chipotle broth. This version adds leftover turkey for protein, making it a complete meal. The toasting step is essential, giving the noodles a nutty flavor and preventing them from becoming mushy. Kid-friendly but satisfying for adults. Ready in 30 minutes. Prep: 15 min | …

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