DIG IN
The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.
5 Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter
Looking for some delicious and simple recipes that will keep everyone in your house warm while snow rages outside? You’ve come to the right place! The following recipes are some of our favorites and will help you ward off the cold. Winter Root Veggie Potpie From Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett Looking for new ways…
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Saving Dry vs. Wet Seeds: The Seed Series
Interested in seed saving? Before getting started, it’s important to know the difference between storing wet seeds and dry ones. The following excerpt is from Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening by Will Bonsall. It has been adapted for the web. (Unless otherwise noted, all photography courtesy of Will Bonsall.) Dry vs. Wet Seeds:…
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Simple Sugars & The Sweet Side of Fermentation
As the name suggests, simple sugars are very easy to work with — especially when used as a ferment. From tepache in Mexico to mauby/mabí in The Caribbean, fermented simple sugars are often used to create delicious beverages all around the world. The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix…
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Cooking With Nutrient-Dense Fats: How to Make Ghee
Get your ghee on! With this quick guide, you’ll learn how to make ghee and use it as an ingredient in delicious recipes (like the Citrus-Glazed Chicken one below) in no time. The following is an excerpt from The Nourishing Asian Kitchen by Sophia Nguyen Eng. It has been adapted for the web. Cooking With…
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Mastering the Actions of Herbs
Want to become a master in medicinal herbs? The first step to using these herbs successfully is understanding the actions of each one and how they work to treat an individual patient’s symptoms. The following excerpt is from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 2 by Dr. Jill Stansbury. It has been adapted for the…
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The Winter Harvest Project
Four-season farmer Eliot Coleman strikes again with inspiration for all you cold-loving farmers out there! A master of extending the growing season, Eliot explains his strategies for a successful winter harvest and greenhouse design. The following excerpt is from The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web.…
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How To Make Blue Cheese
Attention, moldy cheese lovers — this recipe is for you! “Moldy” isn’t usually a quality we look for in our food; but when it comes to blue cheese, the mold cultures contribute largely to its unique texture and bold flavor. The following is an excerpt from Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking by Gianaclis Caldwell. It has been adapted…
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Cream of Butternut Squash Soup
During this time of year — when the weather is cold and the sun still sets early — there’s nothing like a good comfort meal to warm you up and boost your spirits. This soup recipe is sure to keep you feeling cozy all season long! The following excerpt is from Full Moon Feast by…
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Natural Yogurt: Using Kefir As A Yogurt Starter
Yogurt making is having a moment. See what all the fun is about by making your own natural yogurt! This recipe uses kefir as a starter for an end result that is guaranteed to delight your taste buds. The following excerpt is from The Art of Natural Cheesemaking by David Asher. It has been adapted for the web.…
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10 Herbs for Family Health
Growing your own herbs is a great alternative to over-the-counter medicine. Not only do these plants help with general wellness, they’re also an easy fix for small cuts, be used as a calming agent, and boost your immune system. Have more control of what goes into your body with these 10 herbs to promote natural…
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Perfect Pigs: Which Pig Breed Is Best?
Every homestead or farm could use a few pigs! Add a little “oink” to your life by raising your own. Don’t know where to start? Here are some tips for deciding which pig breed is best for your farm or homestead! The following is an excerpt from The New Livestock Farmer by Rebecca Thistlethwaite and…
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Spice Bread: Quick and Easy Pain d’Epices
Need a little spice in your life? This recipe for Pain d’Epices will do the trick! Bring warmth and joy to your table with a slice of this delicious spice bread. An added bonus: Your house will smell amazing while the bread is in the oven. The following is an excerpt from From the Wood-Fired…
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Winter Gardening Without Heated Greenhouses
Think you can’t enjoy winter gardening without a heated greenhouse? Think again. As long as you’re adding layers to keep your crops warm, you’ll be set to grow food all winter long! The following is an excerpt from The Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web. Winter Gardening Without…
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Firm & Crumbly Feta-Style Cheese: An Easy Cheesy Recipe
Want to learn how to make different kinds of cheese this winter? With this simple recipe, you’ll be ready to create a crumbly and decadent feta-style cheese at home. The following is an excerpt from Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking by Gianaclis Caldwell. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Feta-Style Cheese Fortunately, feta-type…
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How to Decipher and Soothe Coughs: A Guide to Getting Through Cold & Flu Season
During cold and flu season, finding an alternative way to soothe coughs could save you an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office. Understanding different kinds of coughs and how to identify them can also provide comfort and peace of mind. Keep in mind that for symptoms that go beyond the common cold, you should always…
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Pears Wrapped in Pastry with Crème Anglaise
These pears wrapped in pastry not only smell and taste amazing, they’re very easy to make and are ‘pear’-fect for serving guests. The following is an excerpt from The Book of Pears by Joan Morgan. It has been adapted for the web. How to Make Pears Wrapped in Pastry Peel and core the pears as…
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Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup: A Better Way to Feel Better
Beat the winter blues with this chicken noodle soup recipe! Delicious and nutritious, this soup is perfect for the whole family. The following is an excerpt from The Nourishing Asian Kitchen by Sophia Nguyen Eng. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Yield: 4 to 6 servings This soup is…
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Time-Tested Sourdough Starter
Want to make bread this winter? With this low-maintenance sourdough starter recipe, you’ll have a delicious loaf of hot-from-the-oven bread on the table in no time! The following recipe is from Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods by Sandor Katz. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Sourdough Starter Starting…
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9 Books for Backyard Gardeners
Searching for the perfect book to give the gardener in your life? These books are great gifts for gardeners at any level. Head over to our Gardening page for even more great gardening reads! In The Home-Scale Forest Garden, Dani Baker shares what she learned as she became a forest gardener, providing a practical, in-depth…
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Spruce Tip Key Lime Pie: A Flavorful, Foraged Dessert
Nothing is quite as sweet as baking a dessert with ingredients you foraged for yourself. This spruce tip key lime pie recipe is simple, delicious, and sure to impress all your guests this winter. The following is an excerpt from The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora by Alan Bergo. It has been adapted for the…
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Buying Meat for the Holidays? Questions to Ask Your Butcher or Farmer
Getting ready to start planning for festive dinners? Before buying meat for the holidays, it’s important to research a few things about the practices involved in butchering, packaging, and distribution — which directly impact the quality of your meat. The following is an excerpt from The Gourmet Butcher’s Guide to Meat by Cole Ward. It…
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Gifts They’ll Crave: 10 Books for Every Foodie on Your List
Struggling to find the perfect gift for the foodie in your life? Our wide range of food and drink books will give you plenty of options to choose from! Whether you’re shopping for an adventurous cook who likes foraging for their ingredients, a fermentation aficionado, or a lover of culinary classics, you’ll find something for…
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Tips for Operating A Successful Farm
Want to run a successful farm, but don’t know where to begin? These tips from two organic farming pioneers will help you learn everything you need to get started. The following is an excerpt from Many Hands Make a Farm by Jack Kittredge and Julie Rawson. It has been adapted for the web. Lessons From Farming…
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Let’s Get Cheesy! Sandor Katz’s Favorite Homemade Cheese
There’s nothing quite like the flavor of fresh, homemade cheese — especially when there’s a story behind it. This cheese recipe, a favorite of fermentation expert Sandor Ellix Katz, requires a few simple ingredients that you can find in your fridge. The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix Katz. It…
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DIY: How to Make Your Own Hatchet
Ever wanted to make your own hatchet? Then today’s your lucky day! With some scrap steel, a hacksaw, a file, a drill, a bonfire, a bucket of water, and an oven, you can make this simple, hardy, “democratic” axe. The following excerpt is from A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity by William Coperthwaite. It has…
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