Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

How to Harvest, Cure and Store Butternut Squash

I’m dreaming of luscious soups, sauces, and savory side-dishes today. Why? Because my butternut squash is begging to be harvested! Here's how to pick, cure, and store this powerhouse of fiber and beta carotene: How to Harvest, Cure and Store Butternut Squash Wanna see butternut squash growing with gusto on...
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How to Harvest, Cure and Store Butternut Squash

How to Freeze Bell Peppers

Why bother to freeze bell peppers in autumn? Well, just think of all the time and money you'll save in winter, whenever you need sliced or diced peppers for pizza, chili, and other cold-weather meals! I tackle the freezing job this way: How to Freeze Bell Peppers Wash, rinse, and...
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How to Freeze Bell Peppers

Molasses Whole Wheat Bread

Moist, light, and aromatic, this Molasses Whole Wheat Bread is THE best "healthy" bread I've ever baked. It's an easy thing to mix and knead. Like my Basic White Bread, all you need is a bowl, a loaf pan, and at least one clean hand! Here's the recipe in both...
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Molasses Whole Wheat Bread

Tuscan Salmon Skillet Dinner

I have three good reasons for sharing this Tuscan Salmon Skillet Dinner recipe with you. First, it's screamingly delicious. The salmon and its sides -- cannellini beans, sun dried tomatoes, and leafy greens -- are cloaked in a fragrant vermouth and cream sauce. Next, it's a one-skillet meal, just as...
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Tuscan Salmon Skillet Dinner

Stuffed Tomatoes Provencal

Yesterday, because I needed a vibrant and vivacious accompaniment for some vegan burgers, I baked up a batch of Stuffed Tomatoes Provencal. Are you familiar with these garlicky gems? They taste (and smell!) as awesome as they look. Here's the recipe for this classic first course or side dish: Stuffed...
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Stuffed Tomatoes Provencal

Simple Lemon Loaf Cake

This Simple Lemon Loaf Cake is one of the lemony-est treats I've ever put in my mouth. Lemon zest and pure lemon extract give the cake its sunny flavor and intense perfume. And nothing could be easier to make. The only equipment you'll need is a bowl, a whisk, and...
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Simple Lemon Loaf Cake

Green Bean Gratin

Looking for a delicious new way to enjoy green beans? Make my Green Bean Gratin! I'm talking about tender beans, a velvety Swiss cheese sauce (a/k/a "Sauce Mornay"), and a crisp lid of buttery breadcrumbs. To turn this sexy side dish into a magnificent main course, just add cubed ham,...
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Green Bean Gratin

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 … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 7 Comments

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? … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 7 Comments

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 … [Read more...]

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 42 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 31 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 | 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 | 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 | 21 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 | 62 Comments