Peckerwood Manor

Nigella's show, Nigella Bites, was a comfort show for me for a few years. It was on BBC America, and I would make sure my godfather programmed his nifty DVR to catch it weekly. I turned others onto it, and we would watch Nigella and the OG Iron Chef. I thought she was sexy and gorgeous, so it wasn't all about the food. I crushed on her for a bit, but then I became very interested in her textures and British combinations. Brits aren't known for cuisine or culinary genius, but here was Nigella putting together things that looked tasty and inviting. I decided to highlight her because she became an international star and embraced her homey recipes and love of cozy homemade meals. Also, she was slightly plump, which means she ate what she made, which I liked.  Brief biography: Nigella Lawson is a respected English food writer and television cook. I call her a cook, not a chef, and I use that term as a compliment. Many people have the title chef and cook uninspired food in restau...

WELCOME BACK! Have a seat, and let's talk about my favorite subject.  As I was thinking about what we needed for our food post coming off of the holidays, I thought about Slow Cooker Winter dishes. So many of us are toiling away in the cold, dreary days of winter without a lot of desire to put together nightly meals. A good option is to pull out that slow cooker and put it to good use. I do eat plenty of labor-intensive meals, but lately, that slow cooker has been getting worked out doing some a bit complicated meals and some easy ones. The two below have make-ahead options, which I like because they break it up and give me time to plan.  Slow Cooker will be a regular feature from time to time because I think it is a helpful subject. Also, Air Fryer Recipes in the future. If you have some ideas of what you would like me to address for recipes and subjects let me know in the comments.  This Pot Roast is a pleaser and makes for a cozy, satisfying meal that elevates the flav...

It would be great if we shared some sites with each other to help your fellow hors eat some good stuff. I have a list and a James Beard recipe to share. His book is like The Joy of Cooking, kicked up 3 levels for American Recipes-mine had to be replaced from being splattered and worn. I still use cookbooks offline because some of my titles aren't online. I have an old Greek cookbook written in Greek; my friend in California's mother's writing can be seen in between the lines as she translated for me and added her own two cents. I have my binder of recipes from people that I love, and I bullied many cooks into giving me their recipes. Several are from my Vietnamese BFF's mom, loads from Mexico, South America, and African American, and some ripped out of magazines. You might never leave my house if I ever make you matzoh ball soup. It is that good. These are laminated, and they move wherever I move. I collect vintage cookbooks and have old books from Julia Child and the G...

During autumn, at Peckerwood Café we will be using  a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that have reached their peak, offering the best flavors and nutritional value. Here is an updated list of fruits and vegetables that are in season during the fall, including their health benefits: Apples: Rich in nutrients, apples may support weight loss, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and improve heart health. Artichokes: Low in fat and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, artichokes may support heart health and digestion. Arugula: A nutrient-dense green, arugula is high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties. Beets: High in valuable vitamins and minerals, beets may help lower blood pressure, support brain health, and have anti-inflammatory effects. Broccoli: A cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and may have cancer-fighting properties. Brussels sprouts: Another cruciferous vegetable, ...