Hello, Friends!

I've been laying low so far this year, regrouping and reflecting and considering my path for the New Year. I wanted to share these photos from my trips in the fall and to alert you to my new resolution of a weekly photo blast. I want to share more of my thoughts on here especially in this political climate. I want to get back in touch with my activist roots and remind you all that I am a feminist, I am a cook and I refuse to wither and stand by idly in these dark times. I appreciate you following along in whatever capacity.

Sending Peace & Love,

Katie

Pennsylvania

Whole Grain Mustard

yields 1.5 cups of mustard

¼ cup brown mustard seeds

¼ cup yellow mustard seeds

½ cup white wine (I used sauvignon blanc)

1 shallot

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Place mustard seeds in a quart container. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water and the wine. Cover and let stand overnight.

Purée mustard with a vita-mix or other powerful mixer, add salt and shallot until you reach the desired consistency. Transfer to an airtight container and can if desired.

Adrian's Gorgeous Greens at Heritage Farm//Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The endless dried fish aisle at the newly renovated Hung Voung Super Market// 🏼Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cheesin' in Fishtown// Photo by Sarah Cassano// Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Final Harvest// Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

Sausage Party// Plumsteadville, Pennsylvania

Bobolink Sausages// Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

Made by my mama Bea Briggs// Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

Cranberry Chocolate Pecan Tart

Adapted from the Alternative Baker

Dough

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup sweet white rice flour

2 tablespoons tapioca flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 plus 1/8 tsp. salt

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and chilled

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Filling

1 cup raw pecan halves

2 tablespoons sweet white rice flour

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 large eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate

1 cup fresh cranberries, halved

Instructions

Prepare the tart dough. Position a rack in the center of your oven and pre-heat it to 375 degrees. Place a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom on a rimmed baking sheet and set it aside.

In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the cocoa powder, almond flour, rice flour, tapioca flour, sugar and salt until well combined. Scatter the butter pieces over the top and drizzle with the vanilla extract. Then turn your mixer to medium-low and run it until the dough comes together in clumps and the butter is worked through, about 3-5 minutes.

Dump the crumbs into your tart pan and use your hands to press the dough evenly into the pan, starting with the sides and then moving to the bottom, keeping the edges square. The dough will be about 1/4-inch thick. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with the tines of a fork. Then transfer the pan to your freezer to chill the dough until firm, about 15-30 minutes.

Once chilled, transfer the pan to your pre-heated oven and bake until the crust is firm to the touch, about 18-22 minutes. Remove the pan the from the oven and while the crust is still hot, use the back of a spoon to press down firmly but gently on the bottom and sides of the crust to help it hold together. Set aside.

Prepare the filling. Lower your oven temperature to 325 degrees and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.

Spread the pecans out onto a small rimmed baking sheet and toast them in your pre-heated oven until fragrant, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the pecans from the oven and set them aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, use your fingers to break the pecan halves up into smaller pieces.

In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour, brown sugar and salt. Add the eggs and whisk until smooth. Then whisk in the maple syrup and vanilla extract, being careful not to over work the filling. Whisk in the melted butter. Fold in the toasted pecans.

Sprinkle the chopped chocolate over the bottom of your prepared crust. Top with the cranberry halves. Then pour the filling over top, distributing it evenly. Transfer the tart to your pre-heated oven and bake until the sides are gently puffed and the center is still slightly wobbly, about 20-30 minutes.

Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

The tart is best when enjoyed the day of baking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Mr. Postman// Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Blackstrap Molasses Cake

adapted from the kitchn, serves 10

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups blackstrap molasses
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger and fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk

Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter or grease a 10-inch cake pan (I used a 9 by 13 sheet pan). Place the chunks of butter in a 2-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Pour in the molasses and whisk in the brown sugar and white sugar. Whisk as the butter melts. When the butter has melted and is completely liquid, and the sugar has dissolved and is no longer grainy, give it a final stir and turn off the heat. Set the pan aside to cool.

Use a clean dry whisk to combine the flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Whisk the vanilla, eggs, and milk into the saucepan with the molasses and melted butter. When it is completely combined, pour this liquid slowly into the bowl of dry ingredients. Whisk thoroughly to combine, making sure there are no lumps!

Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool for 20 or 30 minutes, then run a thin, flexible knife around the inside of the pan to help the cakes edges release.

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon//Watson Township, PA

Ellie Tremble Brunchin'// Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pastry Chef Papa Lynch- apple strudel with creme Anglaise and Bobolink buttermilk cinnamon whipped cream.

Bobolink's Cheese Offerings// Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

Venison Stew for the win// Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

Venison Puff Pastry with Peace Tree Farm Pesto made by Emily Eder!//Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania

Bolete Restaurant// Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pastry Madness// Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Maryland

Shark Teeth Huntin'// Scientist Cliffs, Maryland

North Carolina

The Blue Ridge//Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

Windblown// Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina

Jonathan at Sunset//Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina

Claire// Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina — Claire// Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina

Cradle// Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

Trunk Breakfast// Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina — Trunk Breakfast// Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

We three//Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

Eggs, Tortillas and Left Overs//Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

BREAKFAST TACOS

12 corn tortillas

2 cups refried beans

24 small red potatoes, quartered* and roasted

1 dozen eggs scrambled with or without cheese

Roast potatoes in a 400-degree oven for roughly 40 minutes with olive oil, salt and pepper and any other desired seasonings. In a skillet with butter or oil heat tortillas till golden. Heat up beans and keep warm. Scramble eggs to desired texture. Set up taco bar and enjoy!

Suggested Garnishes-

Salsa, Cilantro, Hot Sauce, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avocado, Sausage

Little Man on his Big Farm// Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Magic Ponies// Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Escape Artists//Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Little Moon Sweet Face//Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Garnet helping harvest apples//Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Grandmother Apple Tree offered up these late season seconds// Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Medicine Library//Sandy Mush, North Carolina

Georgia

I have a real thing for breakfast, always have. Though as far as cooking it goes, I tend to drag my feet in the morning, especially after a night of drinking. Breakfast Tacos are one of those marvelous hangover meals fit to feed a crowd. If you're lucky enough to wake up to a friend making them for you, that's a friend for life. When The Sun Flights and I found ourselves in Lafayette, LA in the heart of Cajun country it was truly a homecoming. We're talking about a remarkable and prideful culture, one steeped in traditions from the Acadian people and one very much centered around food. These kindred spirits of ours would hold heated debates on the best spice mixtures, critically taste and critique every meal and offer advice for the next preparation. I was smitten. After our first nights in town, one of our host, a Texas native greeted us in the morning with a breakfast taco buffet.We knew we found a second home in Lafayette and life long friends. So gather your krewe one morning and serve up some breakfast tacos, they will be indebted to you for life. I however will be chasing breakfast tacos all over SXSW this week...

Breakfast Tacos

12 corn tortillas

2 cups refried beans

24 small red potatoes, quartered* and roasted

1 dozen eggs scrambled with or without cheese

Roast potatoes in oven for roughly 40 minutes with olive oil and salt and pepper and any other desired seasonings. In a skillet with butter or oil heat tortillas till golden. Refry beans and keep warm. Scramble eggs to desired texture. Set up buffet and enjoy!

Suggested Garnish-

Salsa, Fresh Cilantro, Hot Sauce, Shreeded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avocado, Sausage

*to get perfect breakfast potatoes, after cutting, place in a tub of salted water for a few hours or overnight