Life

Pioneer Potluck: The end of the stinky fish barrel

North NikiskiThe Cabins 1986-87 Re-cap of the Stinky Fish Barrel story: Bob and J.T. tried to blow it up — it just blew trees, limbs,… Continue reading

  • Nov 24, 2015
  • By Ann 'Grannie Annie' Berg
  • LifeFood
This Oct. 19, 2015 photo shows blue cheese and mushroom gougeres in Concord, N.H. If you're entertaining, you can't totally slack off. You just need to marry your need for fatty comforting carbs with something dressy enough to serve in polite company. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Entertaining this holiday season? You need our cheese puffs

It’s holiday entertaining season, so we say bring on the fat and carbs!After all, navigating the minefield of office parties and in-laws and dinner parties… Continue reading

This Oct. 19, 2015 photo shows blue cheese and mushroom gougeres in Concord, N.H. If you're entertaining, you can't totally slack off. You just need to marry your need for fatty comforting carbs with something dressy enough to serve in polite company. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Cookies for beer drinkers

Although you’ll find classics like Oatmeal Cookies, Nana’s Molasses Cookies and Russian Tea Cakes in Jonathan Bender’s “Cookies & Beer: Bake, Pair, Enjoy,” this newly… Continue reading

This Oct. 5, 2015 photo shows harvested vegetables in Concord, N.H. For food safety reasons, Thanksgiving leftovers should be cleared from the table and refrigerated within two hours of being served. Once refrigerated, they should be consumed within three to four days. Leftovers can be frozen for three to four months. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Take the mystery out of Thanksgiving math

Thanksgiving math actually isn’t all that hard. You just need to use a few basic equations. For example, to estimate the amount of wine you’ll… Continue reading

This Oct. 5, 2015 photo shows harvested vegetables in Concord, N.H. For food safety reasons, Thanksgiving leftovers should be cleared from the table and refrigerated within two hours of being served. Once refrigerated, they should be consumed within three to four days. Leftovers can be frozen for three to four months. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Veterans’ day fresh in our minds

At the Cabins North Nikiski, Alaska 1986-87   Former attempts at getting the stinky barrel out of the yard ended in failed missions. Plan #5… Continue reading

Silicone baking mats are new

… Continue reading

Winter Stars are poerfully sweet and spicy

“With winter stars, it’s like you’re an archaeologist on holiday, who happens to uncover beautiful spiced almonds beneath a meringue-like layer of royal icing. These… Continue reading

Pioneer Potluck: Stinky fish barrel, part 2

North Nikiski, Alaska 1986-87 around Bob’s bon fire   In last week’s article, plans 1 and 2 did not work after they poured the big… Continue reading

Pioneer Potluck: The stinky fish barrel story

In a cabin, 1986-87 North Nikiski, Alaska We spent many, many hours around Bob’s bonfires. Once in a while we would catch a smell of… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2015
  • By Ann "Grannie Annie" Berg
  • LifeFood
Also known as pepitas, pumpkin seeds are nutritious. A good source of fiber, even the shells are edible.

The Kitchen Ade: Perfect season for pumpkins

I’m a year-round fan of the color orange, but never more so then now, when vividly-colored pumpkins are in season. In the weeks before Halloween,… Continue reading

Also known as pepitas, pumpkin seeds are nutritious. A good source of fiber, even the shells are edible.
This October 5, 2015 photo shows cranberry sauce, oat and flax pancakes in Concord, NH. Making your own cranberry sauce this holiday is incredibly easy and it allows you to cut the sugar content in half without anyone missing it. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

DIY or canned, leftover cranberry sauce makes great pancakes

In their natural form, cranberries are quite healthy, full of vitamin C and fiber and packing just 4 grams of sugar per cup. In fact,… Continue reading

This October 5, 2015 photo shows cranberry sauce, oat and flax pancakes in Concord, NH. Making your own cranberry sauce this holiday is incredibly easy and it allows you to cut the sugar content in half without anyone missing it. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
Kitchen Ade: Celebrate Day of the Dead with bread, chocolate

Kitchen Ade: Celebrate Day of the Dead with bread, chocolate

Now popular in the United States, the Day of the Dead holiday, which originated in Mexico, is celebrated from October 31 through November 2, and… Continue reading

Kitchen Ade: Celebrate Day of the Dead with bread, chocolate

Pioneer Potluck: More about Bob’s bonfires

1986 To 2015 North Nikiski, Alaska Bob built a big fire ring on the second level going down to the lake. Our cabin sat above… Continue reading

A meatloaf and mac 'n' cheese dinner, followed by homemade Frosted Pumpkin-Nut Bars, are good eating before a night of trick-or-treating fun.

Kitchen Ade: For a happy Halloween, don’t leave home on an empty stomach

According to the experts, Halloween ranks first in candy purchasing, followed closely by sales of candy at Easter. After that, the next two biggest candy… Continue reading

A meatloaf and mac 'n' cheese dinner, followed by homemade Frosted Pumpkin-Nut Bars, are good eating before a night of trick-or-treating fun.

Pioneer Potluck: How Bob’s bonfires got started

North Nikiski 1986-1990   When we rented the log cabin, all we could see was the back of the cabin and a path to the… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2015
  • By Ann "Grannie Annie" Berg
  • LifeFood
This Sept. 28, 2015, photo shows lighten up Brussels sprouts with bacon in Concord, N.H. This recipe allows for a crispy texture of the Brussels sprouts without frying. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Lighten up with bacon Brussels sprouts

When did Brussels sprouts go from healthy food our moms couldn’t get us to choke down to trendy gastropub fare? Answer — the instant someone… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2015
  • By MELISSA D'ARABIAN
  • LifeFood
This Sept. 28, 2015, photo shows lighten up Brussels sprouts with bacon in Concord, N.H. This recipe allows for a crispy texture of the Brussels sprouts without frying. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Pioneer Potluck: The kitties at Rick’s Ranch

A one-bedroom log cabin North Nikiski   I had rescued a teeny, tiny little gray-black kitty from the alley behind the old Rig Bar in… Continue reading

  • Oct 13, 2015
  • By Ann 'Grannie Annie' Berg
  • LifeFood
Smooth and creamy, buttered polenta makes a good substitute for mashed potatoes.

Venetian Calf’s Live and Onions: Comfort food, Italian style

In Italian cuisine, Fegato alla Veneziana, or Venetian Calf’s Liver and Onions, is a popular way to enjoy liver. Served with creamy buttered polenta, it’s… Continue reading

Smooth and creamy, buttered polenta makes a good substitute for mashed potatoes.
This Sept. 21, 2015, photo shows baked eggs in sweet pepper sauce in Concord, N.H. The sauce for these baked eggs uses healthy fast foods you can keep in your pantry, such as jarred roasted red peppers and simple marinara sauce. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Busy nights call for fast food, but no drive-thru needed

School, kids, work... It’s always something. Whatever the culprit, we are all busy. And on those crazy-busy days, dinner can sneak up on me, and… Continue reading

  • Oct 13, 2015
  • By MELISSA D'ARABIAN
  • LifeFood
This Sept. 21, 2015, photo shows baked eggs in sweet pepper sauce in Concord, N.H. The sauce for these baked eggs uses healthy fast foods you can keep in your pantry, such as jarred roasted red peppers and simple marinara sauce. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
Concepts to make us better cooks

Concepts to make us better cooks

Upon opening the just released “100 Recipes: The Absolute Best Ways to Make the True Essentials,” by the editors at America’s Test Kitchen, you’ll come… Continue reading

Concepts to make us better cooks