Category Archives: Home Cooking

Culinary Heirloom: The Cricket Tea Room Cook Book

Posted on January 16, 2016 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews It’s funny sometimes how the mind works, and how certain thoughts can lead to action. The subject of this post — The Cricket Tea Room Cook Book — was co-authored by my Great-Great Aunt, Tona Webb Perry, and served … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Bookshelf, Home Baking, Home Cooking, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Rite of Spring: Ramps Return

Posted on March 19, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On St. Patrick’s Day, tender, emerald green ramp shoots finally peeked out of my special upstate patch, a happy harbinger of spring — and good eating to come. I’ll check back in a couple of weeks to … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Home Cooking, Hudson Valley, Local Food | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Less Meat, More Plants: One Home Cook’s Journey

Posted on November 30, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Here’s the wonderful thing about my recent, albeit way-too-short, visit to Pittsburgh…good as the burgeoning, local-minded restaurant scene is here (and which I highlighted earlier this year in my NYT article), I didn’t have to set foot … Continue reading →

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Turkey on a Road Trip

Posted on November 26, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews There’s something romantic about a road trip.  It sparks my spirit of adventure.  So, this year, not only did we drive 8-1/2 hours to Pittsburgh to spend Thanksgiving with family…we also volunteered to cook the entire Thanksgiving … Continue reading →

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Healthy Twists for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Why not jumpstart your New Year’s resolution—”to eat more healthfully”—at Thanksgiving?  That’s right, I said Thanksgiving.  Because the basic inputs—turkey, cranberries, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, green beans or collard greens—are inherently healthful foods.  It’s what you do … Continue reading →

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At the Stove: Five Easy Pieces

Posted on August 31, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Where farmers’ markets, farm stands and gardens bloom….our late summer go-to dishes are fresh, flavorful, healthful  and, most importantly, easy to cook.  Produce at peak flavor needs little manipulation.  For tips on choosing produce, see “Pick of … Continue reading →

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Chinon and Ramps? Mais Oui

Posted on May 2, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Before the ramp season completely plays out for 2011, here’s one more ramp-related post, this one on a noteworthy food-wine pairing. As a pungent spring green, ramps are often labelled, like asparagus and artichokes, as tricky to pair with wines. The stock solution … Continue reading →

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Spring Tonic: Cooking Up Ramps

Posted on April 26, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews “Do you want to come ramping with me?” Christopher asked.  It was a big deal for him to ask me, I knew, because my husband typically enjoys communing with nature—and this particular stealth pursuit—alone. Still. I found … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Food, Health, Home Cooking, Hudson Valley | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hudson Valley Foraging: Ramps!

Posted on April 25, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Spring has been a halting, chilly affair in the Northeast this year. Come to think of it, this describes most of the recent springs in our part of the world. But despite the Mud Season’s lack of … Continue reading →

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Simple Sunday Roast Chicken

Posted on April 9, 2011 by upstatedowntown

An easy-to-make and healthy roast chicken Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health, Home Cooking, Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Farms, Local Food | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment