Cornelian cherries (aka Cornus mas) are an under-appreciated fruit, at least in the U.S. In Eastern Europe and the Middle East they are well-loved for their bright color and tart flavor. Considering how many people plant this tree in the landscape (for the pretty yellow spring flowers), there’s no reason you shouldn’t harvest the fruit and make yourself some cornelian…
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Naughty & Nice: a Festive Winter Holiday Punch
Frank Cisneros of The Gin Palace in NYC created The Poinsettia Punch as a holiday beverage that gets its festive color from grenadine. With a few adjustments, I’ve come up with a foraged version I like even better. The Naughty & Nice is a wildcrafted winter holiday punch that is very nice indeed…and do I really have to explain the naughty…
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Chanterelle Ice Cream
Last weekend I attended the New Mexico Mycological Society’s annual foray in Taos, NM. We’ve had a generous monsoon season in northern NM this year, something we can’t always count on. When you combine moisture with mycelium and more than 80 mycophiles, what do you get? A lot of mushrooms, some new friends, and a very good time. I added…
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Wild Plums (aka Prunus americana)
I’ve had my eye on this patch of plums since last spring, when their bright white flowers made them easy to spot at 40 miles an hour. Patience is not my strong suit, and I worried someone might beat me to the harvest. But I waited because that’s what you have to do with wild plums.
Berry-Brie Puff Pastry: Recipe
On a recent Plantrama podcast, my co-host C.L. Fornari and I were discussing our favorite raspberry recipes and I realized I’d never posted this one. Please forgive me! With store bought puff pastry (go ahead and judge me, I don’t care), brie, and the berry of your choice, you can make this most elegant and delicious of appetizers: a berry-brie…
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