Barbecue sauce helps make everything better

Homemade coleslaw and pulled pork, made with Boo Wells' signature barbecue sauce. Photo by Justin Sorensen.

The introduction was innocent enough. Who could have predicted the massive lifestyle change it would cause. How could anyone know the chaos that would ensue? In some respects it broadened our horizons, but in others it narrowed them.

Of my three boys, Tucker, the youngest, has always had reservations about food. He has never eaten an egg, bananas repulse him, no foods with sauce, no fish or shellfish, no potatoes – unless they are French fries. He likes simple food – loves tacos, (no sour cream, no tomatoes), baby back ribs and pasta with marinara sauce from a jar.

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Signs of spring are here: Time for freshness

Few things compare to garden grown ingredients

Boo Wells uses some fresh asparagus as part of her dish at the Farm House Kitchen in Sackets Harbor. Photo by Justin Sorensen.

By Boo Wells
Owner and chef of the Farm House Kitchen, Sackets Harbor

Spring has sprung. The winter that wasn’t very wintery has finally morphed into a season of renewal.

The signs are everywhere: Garlic I planted in the fall is sprouting up from its thick blanket of mulch. My chickens have begun laying eggs again now that the days are longer. Recipes for ramps or wild leeks are appearing in the food magazines and blogs to which I subscribe.

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Warm winter soups: Comfort for the soul

Boo Wells, chef and owner of the Farm House Kitchen, Sackets Harbor.

The snowflakes have finally started to fly and the urge to make soup has taken hold. Most people have a favorite soup recipe. Whether it’s your mother’s, grandfather’s or best friend’s, it is undoubtedly the best version of that particular soup and tastes better than anyone else’s.

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Preparing for a perfect holiday

Worry-free parties begin with a culinary ‘game plan’

By Boo Wells
Owner and chef of the Farm House Kitchen, Sackets Harbor

If you’re like most people, you have already started thinking about what dishes to serve at your holiday meals. For me, this time of year is all about the food – especially the side dishes.

In August, I find myself day dreaming about the savory concoctions that might be worthy of an elegant holiday feast. You may serve a traditional menu, one that has been repeated from year to year, or maybe you scan the pages of cooking magazines for new and different ideas every season.

Depending on who will be joining us at our dinner table, I fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. If my Dad will be here, sweet potatoes topped with melted marshmallows are an absolute must – far from elegant but his idea of culinary heaven. If my brother and his family are joining us, he will make the most amazing Sichuan string beans with pork – not very traditional but out of this world delicious. A well thought out menu is important for a cohesive meal, but a menu game plan is what will allow you to enjoy your guests and all the time you spent in the kitchen.

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