Kevin Lee Jacobs – Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

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...

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 Leave a Comment

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 30 Comments

Baked Swordfish with Cheatin’ Mashed Potatoes

A Swordfish Dinner in only 15 minutes? Yes! This is one of my and Mr. Fox's favorite warm-weather meals. The wild-caught fish cooks to succulent perfection in just 12 minutes. Meanwhile, my "Cheatin' Mashed Potatoes" require just 6 minutes (or 7 minutes if you stud them … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 30, 2020 7 Comments

Veggies to Grow in 2020

Which veggies to grow in 2020? Well, because food prices are on the rise during the pandemic, my advice is to plant only the crops that you and your family will actually eat. For instance, if you regularly purchase broccoli from the supermarket, then you should probably … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 24, 2020 29 Comments

Homemade Italian Bread

This Homemade Italian Bread puts its commercial counterpart to shame. I love the loaf's crackling crust, moist crumb, and delightfully fruity olive oil aroma. After making (and eating!) the bread three times in three days, I thought I should share the step-by-step … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 23, 2020 17 Comments

My Cattle Panel Trellis

What possessed me to install a pair of cattle panel trellises in my kitchen garden? The desire to grow winter squash. If allowed to sprawl, the squash would soon swallow my whole plot. Consequently, I decided to grow the vegetable upwards, not out. A cattle panel is … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 16, 2020 59 Comments

Crispy Orange Chicken

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 12, 2020 7 Comments

Video: How to Build a Tomato Trellis

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 9, 2020 17 Comments

Lemon Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these Lemon Chocolate Chip Cookies the other day, and they were so lovely, lively, and luscious that I couldn't wait to share the recipe with you. Betcha can't eat just one of these citrus-kissed creations! You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | May 6, 2020 22 Comments