Kevin Lee Jacobs – Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

Salade Frisée aux Lardons

Frizzy greens, smoky bacon, and a peppered poached egg -- there's nothing about Salade Frisée aux Lardons that isn't wonderful. Here's how to make this French bistro classic: Salade Frisée aux Lardons: Le Video! Click the "play" arrow above to watch the salad reveal itself in my kitchen. Then scroll...

Cinnamon Rolls (Kneaded by Hand)

I pity the poor soul who only knows cinnamon rolls as stale, dry pastries obtained at some generic drive-thru donut shop. A real cinnamon roll is a heavenly thing! Gooey. Sweet. Fresh-tasting. And would you believe this poetry is easily achieved without a stand mixer? Here's how I mix, knead,...

Watch: How to Prune Tomato Plants

Why go to the trouble of pruning your indeterminate tomato plants? Well, if you grow tomatoes in the same environment that I do, meaning in a hot and humid climate and in the tight confines of a raised bed, you will find that disease is minimized and fruit production is...

Crispy Orange Chicken

This Crispy Orange Chicken is my stay-in version of the well-known Chinese take-out dish. The chicken gets its fabulous crunch from a coating of egg whites and cornstarch. And oh -- the sauce! It's extra citrussy with orange juice and orange zest. You might like to serve this fun main...

Video: How to Build a Tomato Trellis

Want to build a tall/tan/handsome tomato trellis on which your indeterminate varieties can cheerfully grow? I have good news for you! The trellis in question is very easy to make. The only required tools are a hammer and some some wine. I mean twine. To watch me build this structure...

Strawberry Jam Twist Bread

There's nothing about this Strawberry Jam Twist Bread that doesn't float my boat. It's soft and gooey, sweet and sticky. And it's not too difficult to make! Here's the video recipe, which explains every step in full detail. Too much detail, in fact. That's why God invented the fast-forward button....

Staying Home, Staying Safe

Hi friends! Today marks four (or is it five?) weeks that we've been under quarantine. I hope you are all okay, I hope your family and friends are safe and well, and I hope you're finding ways to muddle through this maddening time. I'm grateful for the medical, grocery, sanitation,...

How to Proof and Store Yeast

How to Proof and Store Yeast. Last week, because active dry yeast is impossible to find in supermarkets these days, I decided to purchase, for what seemed an excessive sum, a two-pound bag of the stuff from an on-line source. When the yeast arrived three days later, I wondered if...

Basic White Bread

I love this Basic White Bread for everyday sandwiches and toast. It's terrific for French toast, too. And no yeast-leavened loaf could be easier to make. Heck, all you need is a bowl, a spoon, and a loaf pan! Watch me mix, knead by hand, and bake the bread right...

Sweet Orange Rolls

These Sweet Orange Rolls taste exactly like sunshine. I know, because I ate an entire pan of them. Good thing the rolls are loaded with Vitamin C and calcium! Need something soft, sweet, and gooey to accompany your morning Champagne or evening coffee? Here's the video how-to plus printable recipe:...

19th Century Pantry

TRUE CONFESSION: Today I had planned to write an engaging post called "Organizing the Pantry." Then I realized that my own pantry isn't well-organized at all. So instead of telling you about what goes where, let me offer you a brief tour of the pantry here at Clover Hill. This...

My 2020 Proven Winners Review

My 2020 Proven Winners Review. What luck! In the spring of 2019, Proven Winners sent me several plants (okay, a boatload of plants) to try out in my garden. These new hybrids will be offered to the public this spring (2020). And here, for the horticultural-minded, is my review of...

Almond Flour Sandwich Wraps

I can't stop eating these almond flour sandwich wraps. They're wonderfully spongy, delightfully chewy, and remarkably bread-like. They are gluten-free too, if that matters to you. Easy to make? Yeah, baby. The only ingredients they require is almond flour for structure, tapioca flour for elasticity, milk for richness, and some...

Your Stand-Alone Freezer Recs

Remember the old saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed?" A few years ago, many of you helped me to select a new washing machine. You also influenced my purchase of a [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | July 3, 2020 52 Comments

Salade Frisée aux Lardons

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 27, 2020 7 Comments

What Are You Doing In Your Garden To Deal With Food Shortages?

Back in March, 2012, I wrote a short piece titled "What Would You Plant in Your "Subsistence Garden?" The question generated a flood of thoughtful comments. To my … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 24, 2020 40 Comments

Cinnamon Rolls (Kneaded by Hand)

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 20, 2020 7 Comments

Watch: How to Prune Tomato Plants

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 20, 2020 41 Comments

How to Freeze Strawberries

Hip, hip hooray-- strawberry season has arrived in New York's Hudson Valley. I picked up 7 1/2 pounds of perfectly ripe, locally grown berries the other day, and promptly set about freezing them. The following preservation technique has never failed me: How to Freeze … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 12, 2020 29 Comments

Full Garden Tour, June 2020

The gardens at Clover Hill are coming into their own now that warm weather has arrived. Would you like to see them? Grab a stiff drink (or just a cup of coffee) and take leisurely walk with me: Thanks for watching! Please let me know how your own garden is … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 7, 2020 36 Comments

Crispy Mayonnaise Chicken Thighs

Crispy Mayonnaise Chicken Thighs came to me quite by accident. I'd intended to coat some thighs with mustard and breadcrumbs, until I looked and discovered...no mustard in my pantry or fridge. But there was plenty of mayonnaise on hand, so I used that for the breadcrumb … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | June 4, 2020 18 Comments

Kitchen Garden Tour + My Watering System

Remember when I used to host public garden tours? Those days are over! But we can still spend quality time strolling the grounds here at Clover Hill. Today, for instance, I'd like to share with you a video tour of the Kitchen Garden. Want to see what potatoes onions, … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 30, 2020 31 Comments