Author Archive: My Kitchen Wand

Seville oranges didn’t actually originate from Seville, Spain. They were brought by the Moors during the 900’s A.D., having spread westward after being introduced to the Roman Empire by India in the first century. Legends hint that Hercules,  stole the first oranges, named Golden Apples, from the Gardens of the Hesperides. It is an interesting […]

Last September Jean and I collected Hawthorn berries. Okay, honestly, Jean did most of the collecting, scampering down the steep side of the roadside hill. I missed the opportunity to post the tincture and jelly making and I will do that when we get closer to fall this year. This post however is about bottle […]

These muffins fresh from the oven on Valentine’s morning became a bit of a tradition for my “too old for kiddie Valentine’s” homestay students. For the Canadian contingent it was often a taste of home and for those coming from foreign shores, something entirely new. Since February is also Bake for Family Fun Month, this […]

I am teaching a cheese making class the day after tomorrow. There are several tasty cheeses we can get through in three hours but a cream cheese with rennet is not one of them. The 14 hour wait time before dripping for several hours more is the issue. The solution was to make up a […]

            This post is for those who do not consider themselves artistic and would never even think to pick up a paint brush. People like me. My mother, grandfather and great grandmother were what I would consider artists. They could transform a blank page or object into lovely, detailed and […]

The cherry blossoms may be in bloom here but winter is still definitely around in other parts of the planet. This healing salve will help the paws of working dogs and those that live/play outside. Neither salt or ice is friendly on paws, so if your furry friend will let you, try a little massage […]

This is a totally unintended quick and cheeky post. No beautiful “how to” pictures as the work was going on after dark and that rarely makes a digital camera happy. Using leftovers is an active theme for this time in the wheel of the year. Firstly there would have been the question of how long […]

Leek and potato soup is a perfect choice for an Imbolc dinner. It is made from winter vegetables that would have been stored from last years harvest and fresh cream from newly lactating cows. New chives may not have their heads above ground but thyme and parsley may be available as would bay leaves, having […]

Apple pie is such a standard item in North American baking. For some it is a fall preserving job that uses up culls. Six or sixteen pies packed away in a freezer somewhere until needed. For others it is something to leave entirely up to bakeries to prepare. There are really just two things that […]

On cold winter days (in places that have a proper winter season) it is nice to have something fresh tasting that helps us remember warmer climes. It is after all citrus season. Additionally we are coming up on Chinese New Year, February 7th, this year, so orange related dishes definitely fit the bill. Oranges are […]