Our very special Granddaughter, Anna, is visiting us at Mead Meadow. Anna loves banana bread and we wanted to make one of her favorite things together. We chose banana bread because everyone calls her Anna Banana. She told me to tell everyone she really doesn’t like bananas, but, there is one…
Kittery Clam Dip
We have a tradition of going to Cape Cod every fall, it is kind of our version of the Big Chill weekend. I have made Kittery Clam Dip for so many years that I thought everyone would be tired of it by now. Not the case, I asked if I should bring something else and the…
Basil Pesto
Pesto has so many uses and it is so easy to make, I love to have it on hand. I frequently buy a little extra basil so I can make pesto and freeze it. This recipe is another great one from my dear friend Joan. Many years ago, Joan gave me this recipe on a…
Small Chocolate Whoopie Pie
I first tasted Whoopie Pies a few weeks ago, and soon thereafter learned that they are Maine’s official “state treat”. I liked them but I thought I would like them even more if I made them myself. I studied various recipes and this combination is my favorite. It is not as cake-like as others I…
Tuscan Shrimp with White Beans
This recipe combines beans with shrimp, instead of pasta. Our dear friends Sue and Jeff made this for us while we were visiting in Connecticut, and we had to share it with you. The flavor is great, it makes a beautiful presentation, and it is so quick and easy to make. You can use serrano…
Cape Cod Oatmeal Cookies
There is nothing better than a cookie, and to me this one is exceptional. This recipe was made by my dear friend and neighbor Cindy. She is my first friend to choose a recipe for Mead Meadow, bake it, and deliver warm beautiful cookies for the photo shoot. It has been adapted from a…
Toffee Bars
This is a family favorite. My grandfather’s sister, Jo, was one of my favorite people. When I was the head cook at the local nursing home in college, Great Aunt Jo lived there and I would stop and see her every day before I went home. I grew up on a farm in the…
Spring Cocktail with Lillet Rosé
Lillet is a French aperitif wine made in Podensac, a small village south of Bordeaux. It is a blend of Bordeaux grapes and citrus liqueurs. The mixture is blended in oak vats and aged as a Bordeaux wine. It is nicely balanced, not too sweet and not too bitter. We love it mixed with grapefruit…
Hummus
After buying hummus for years, I finally started making my own from scratch. I will never buy hummus again! It is so easy and so much better than store bought. It tastes fresh and has a lot more texture. I try to keep all of the ingredients on hand so I can make…
Baking Powder Test
How to test if your Baking Powder has expired – To check to see if baking powder is still good, add about a teaspoon to ¼ cup hot water. If it bubbles vigorously, use it. If it doesn’t bubble, replace it. Expired Baking Powder will stop your recipe from rising.