I didn’t expect this recipe for a cheeseburger and pickle soup to be so good. It’s my husband’s concoction and it is certainly nothing fancy, but boy did it hit the trifecta: budget-friendly, quick & easy, and full of flavor! Such a nice addition to cold-weather cooking. It comes together in under an hour, stretches […]
Creamy Cheeseburger Soup with Dill Pickles Read Post »
Hoppin John is a cajun stew (slow carb compliant) popular on New Years Day for bringing luck in the new year!
Hoppin John with Collard Greens: A New Year’s Tradition Read Post »
Detailed, comprehensive guidelines for building a perfect cheeseboard for any occasion, with a focus on preparing a low carb cheeseboard
Guide for Making a Holiday Cheese or Charcuterie Board Read Post »
Quick Summary: The Paloma is arguably Mexico’s most popular cocktail, even more so than the margarita. Made with tequila (or mezcal), fresh grapefruit juice, lime, and sparkling water. Light, refreshing, and slow carb friendly. Prep: 10 min | Serves: 1 Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients & Substitutions | How to Make It | More Mexican
How to Make a Paloma Cocktail (Mexico’s Favorite Tequila Drink) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Sweet potatoes halved and roasted, brushed with harissa under the broiler, then topped with a blackberry-rosemary compote. Four flavors combine into a complex holiday side dish. Includes tips for roasting sweet potatoes and growing blackberries in cold climates. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 40 min | Serves: 8 Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients
Roasted Sweet Potato Recipe with Blackberry-Rosemary Sauce Read Post »
Quick Summary: Champurrado (chahm-poo-RAH-doh) is a thick, warming Mexican hot chocolate made with masa harina, Mexican chocolate, and piloncillo (or brown sugar). Traditional for Day of the Dead and Christmas, it’s often served alongside tamales. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 20 min | Serves: 8 Jump to: RECIPE | What is Champurrado? | Champurrado vs
How to Make Champurrado (Mexican Hot Chocolate with Masa) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Biscochitos (bee-sko-CHEE-tohs) are anise-and-orange-scented Mexican shortbread cookies dusted in cinnamon sugar, traditionally served during Christmas celebrations. Includes an explanation of texture differences when using lard vs butter. Prep: 15 min + 30 min chill | Cook: 10 min | Makes: 36 cookies Jump to: RECIPE | What are Biscochitos? | Regional Variations |
Mexican Shortbread Cookies (Biscochitos): Making with Lard vs Butter Read Post »
Quick Summary: Five practical gifts for tea enthusiasts, from electric kettles with temperature control to portable tea infuser thermoses. Includes a recipe for hibiscus tea (Agua de Jamaica) that works hot or cold. Whether your gift recipient is new to loose leaf tea or a longtime connoisseur, these items make brewing easier and more enjoyable.
Gifts for Tea Lovers (Plus Hibiscus Tea Recipe) Read Post »
Quick Summary: A complete guide to stocking your pantry for Mexican cooking, from everyday meals to holiday celebrations. Covers dried chiles, spices, masa, canned goods, and specialty ingredients. Includes guidance on where to source ingredients and how to substitute when needed. Built from years of cooking with friends from the Bajío region of Mexico and
Essential Mexican Pantry: Ingredients for Traditional Mexican Cooking Read Post »
Have a kid in college or a loved one living abroad? This holiday season, let them know you’re thinking of them by sending a themed holiday care package filled with homemade treats and other goodies. Below, you’ll find 7 festive recipes that ship well. Jump to: Chocolate Cherry Bark | Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Zucchini
Holiday Care Packages: 7 Homemade Treats to Send Read Post »
Make the holidays extra festive with one of my favorite twists on the classic: a peppermint espresso martini! The perfect boozy pick-me-up to serve after a long family dinner, your guests will love this sweet and minty holiday cocktail. Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Directions Peppermint Espresso Martini Ingredients Espresso martini… but make it
Peppermint Espresso Martini Read Post »
Quick Summary: Pozole rojo is a classic Mexican stew of pork and hominy in a red chile broth, slow-cooked until the flavors meld. This recipe comes from a friend in the Bajío region of Mexico. Made in large batches for celebrations and crowds. The garnishes (radishes, cabbage, lime, avocado, hot sauce) make the dish. Prep:
Pork Pozole Rojo: Traditional Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew Read Post »
Quick Summary: A free-form tart with spiced apples and sharp cheddar cheese on a buttery, flaky crust. This New England combination is easier than pie and makes a beautiful addition to the Thanksgiving table. Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 40 minutes | Serves: 6 Jump to: RECIPE | Galette vs Crostata | Ingredients
Apple Cheddar Galette: A New England Fall Tart Read Post »
Quick Summary: Soft cookies studded with fresh raspberries and chunks of dark chocolate. Using 78% dark chocolate and minimal sugar lets the sweet-tart berries and rich cocoa flavor shine. Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Makes: 20 cookies Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Step by Step Directions | More Raspberry
Raspberry Dark Chocolate Cookie Recipe (Low Sugar) Read Post »
This simple potato side dish is a mainstay on the Swedish smorgasbord at Christmastime, where it is referred to as Jansson’s Temptation or Janssons frestelse. It is a rich and creamy comfort food made with potatoes, onions, cream and the secret ingredient of anchovies. Perfect for the holiday table, no matter which country you celebrate
Easy Swedish Potato Bake for the Holidays (aka Jansson’s Temptation) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Traditional Mexican chile rellenos made with roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, dipped in a light egg batter, lightly sauteed, and simmered in red tomato sauce. Includes step-by-step instructions for roasting and peeling peppers. Prep: 45 min | Cook: 30 min | Serves: 8 Jump to: RECIPE | What are Rellenos? | Best
Traditional Chile Rellenos in Egg Batter Read Post »
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
Ponche: Traditional Mexican Christmas Drink (Plus Regional Variations) Read Post »
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
Chocolate Sprinkle Thumbprint Cookies: Nutella & Dulce de Leche Fillings Read Post »
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
Ginger-Spiced Thumbprint Cookies with Champagne Jelly Read Post »
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
Thumbprint Cookies with a Lemon Filling Read Post »
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
Turkey Gravy, Make-Ahead Stock, & Gravy Rescue Tips Read Post »
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
Low Carb Baked Cauliflower with Saffron & Olives Read Post »
Thanksgiving feasts often end up with dried out leftover turkey. A quick way to rescue dry turkey is to make a simple open faced turkey sandwich smothered with gravy. This recipe uses Southern red eye gravy for a little kick. Not only is it delicious, but it keep you awake for the rest of the
Red Eye Gravy on Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich Read Post »
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 |
Sopa de Fideo: Mexican Noodle Soup with Leftover Turkey Read Post »
Looking for a gift for that person in your life who can’t get enough of cooking and eating oysters, lobster, fish, crab, mussels and all the other seafood under the sun? We’re huge on seafood here at Farm to Jar, so we know exactly what you need. Whether it’s Christmas, a birthday, a wedding or
Best Gifts for Seafood Lovers for Any Budget Read Post »
Quick Summary: Don’t throw out those pumpkin seeds. Boil, season, and roast them for a crunchy, healthy snack or garnish. This recipe uses smoked paprika and garlic, with Mexican spice variations including chile-lime and spicy seasonings. Works with any pumpkin or winter squash seeds. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 10-25 min | Makes: 6 servings
How to Roast and Season Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas) Read Post »
Calabaza en Tacha (aka candied pumpkin) is one of the traditional treats served on Mexico’s Day of the Dead Celebration, “Dia de Muertos”. The flavor is similar to what is served in the US as candied yams or sweet potatoes, but the key ingredients to this Mexican recipe include piloncillo syrup, cinnamon sticks, orange peel
Calabaza en Tacha (Candied Pumpkin) Recipe Read Post »
Strata is basically an egg casserole with varied fillings and a creamy custard base. It is often likened to a bread pudding. This breakfast strata is filled with swiss chard and sausage and topped with a smoky cheese. It is perfect for serving a crowd at brunch or as a stress-free make-ahead dish for holiday
Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata (Casserole) with Swiss Chard & Sausage Read Post »
Quick Summary: A Mexican-style slow cooker chili with turkey (or leftover Thanksgiving turkey), butternut squash, poblano peppers, and black beans. Smoky depth comes from ancho and chipotle chile powder. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 6 hours (slow cooker) | Serves: 6 This Mexican-style turkey chili is great for using up Thanksgiving leftovers, but it’s also
Mexican Chili: Turkey, Squash, Poblanos & Black Beans Read Post »
Quick Summary: A seafood platter can be as simple as opening a few tins of fish or as dramatic as a three-tiered tower of lobster and oysters. This guide covers three approaches for holiday entertaining: a trendy tinned fish board for minimal effort, a classic shellfish platter for a crowd, and a luxury seafood tower
How to Build a Seafood Platter: Three Approaches from Simple to Showstopper Read Post »
