sugar — the cook & the garden

Free Cookies

I have a lot of experience making cookies, but not so much experience with political activism. My safe estimate is over 100, 000 cookies baked, and probably 30ish rallies and protests.

Adventures, Desserts, Autumn, Spring, Summer, WinterCathy ClearyMay 1, 2017activism, politics, cookies, values, volunteer, freedom, rolled oats, oat flour, sugar, coconut flour, potato flour, nutmeg, baking powder, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, baking, community, sweets, treats, desserts, children, kid-friendly

Spring Salad with Herb Vinaigrette

Any spring mix will do for this salad but if you are a gardener and have fresh greens in the yard pick a mixture of baby kale, arugula, spinach, and pea shoots for a great flavor combo. Despite its name the dressing does not require homegrown herbs. As a matter of fact, you don't have to use herbs at all.

Salads, Spring, Dinner, LunchCathy ClearyMarch 26, 2017baby kale, arugula, spinach, pea shoots, parsley, fresh, green, salad, herbs, green onion, fennel fronds, carrots, red cabbage, radishes, beets, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, vinaigrette, olive oil, cider vinegar, garlic, cilantro, mustard, sugar

Just a seed

They were known in the neighborhood for their tree growing prowess. Apparently 7 years ago Harriet had a seed in her breakfast fruit that was beginning to sprout, and instead of tossing it in the trash she stuck it in soil and the resulting tree was now sporting hundreds of ripe yellow grapefruit.

Breakfast, Winter, FruitsCathy ClearyJanuary 15, 2017grapefruit, ginger, marmalade, cranberry, grapefruit trees, neighbors, fresh fruit, tree climbing, woodstove cooking, stewing, tart, sugar, south Georgia, crystalized ginger, juice

Dad's Cheesecake

I grew up going to parties and potlucks, and my dad would often bring this incredibly good cheesecake. Everyone always oohed and aahed over how good it was and asked for the recipe. Then he would laboriously write the recipe on an index card for them. He kept it pretty simple and straightforward with this classic sour cream topping.

Desserts, Autumn, Winter, Spring, SummerCathy ClearyOctober 4, 2016dad, father, cheesecake, dessert, fresh fruit, graham cracker crust, baked, butter, vanilla, water bath, sour cream, sugar

Super Easy Granola

I've been making one variation or another of this granola since I was in college. I lived in a co-op house with a bunch of hippies and we ate a lot of granola. My friend Wayne said it was so addictive that he had to swear off the stuff.

Recipes & Stories