Mock Pineapple

Up to my ears in zucchini, I've tried to find new ways to enjoy them and preserve them.  Well, thanks to the good ol' Nat…

Zucchini Madness

Garden update: We have very few tomatoes hanging on to life. With all the dampness, the late blight hit the tomatoes hard. Yellow…

Game recipes: Dove

Right now it's dove season in Tennessee. Dove season opened at noon on September 1, 2008. Doves can be hunted now through S…

Autumn Saturdays in the South

College football time. Hearts swell with hopeful pride as warrior teams clad in triumphant regalia - their legions of fans dresse…

Canning dried beans

Beans, beans, Good for your heart. The more you eat, The more you... Well, you know the rest. Beans (what we call "soup bean…

Freezing and canning purple hull peas

Purple hull peas are coming in! I grew up on purple hull peas. They're my favorite! Purple hull peas are a Southern pea and…

Summer time is busy time - and fair results

Garden update: Squash is producing full-tilt. I already have 8 gallons of sliced squash in the freezer and more coming in every …

Blackberry jam using liquid pectin

We picked a big mess of blackberries and one of the things I did with them was make blackberry jam. Normally I use powdered pecti…

It's Blackberry Time in Tennessee

I hope you and yours had a safe and happy Independence Day holiday! Ours was quite enjoyable here at Chez Zen. Fireworks, house …

Summer squash extravaganza

Garden update: Tomatoes are starting to ripen Bell peppers are starting to ripen Green beans are starting to ripen Strawberries a…

Friday Funny: I've Been Everywhere

Did you know that in Tennessee, you can go all around the world and never leave the state? Yep. You can visit landmarks of ancien…

The Great Cornbread Debate

I am starting to see a trend developing here. I'm here yet again with a clarification on a traditional Southern recipe. Thi…

Canning season kickoff: Peaches (and what to do with 'em)

We got ourselves around 25 pounds of Georgia peaches this past weekend. Time to break out the canning equipment. Canned peaches …

Red Beans and Rice

I am not a Cajun, nor am I from Louisiana. I am therefore not an authority on Cajun or Louisiana cuisine. BUT... I have had the …