If you are looking at the fine print, you will notice that this is not Chris, but Jeni B. We know things have been pretty quiet around here lately, and we thank you so much for sticking with us while we rearrange a few things. I am honored and excited that Chris has asked me…
Author: Jeni B
As a child, Jeni fell in love with the Little House on the Prairie books, mostly because of all the wonderful things that were made at home from the simplest ingredients. Most weekends, Jeni can be found in her kitchen creating the basics for future meals. Culturing cheese and yogurt, breaking down larger cuts of meat into usable portions or for future grinding, fermenting cabbage, preserving fruits and veggies or dehydrating snacks of any variety keep her busy pretty much all weekend. When not involved in culinary pursuits, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, spinning and sewing as hobbies. She lives in Albany with her partner of 12 years and their crazy bullmastiff. Find her on her blog, Pirate Jeni.
{meet the meat} Carnivore Questions
When Chris first approached me about writing for From Scratch Club (over a year ago! woot!) we were both excited for me to write about meals and recipes that were a bit more meat-centric. I’m not a “Meatless Monday” kind of gal. I’m more of a “oh you aren’t eating meat on Monday? MORE MEAT…
{Feel the Love} Pork Rillettes
I don’t think I’ve been shy about my love of the pig. I honestly think the best thing you can give a gal involves some kind of pork fat and since February is the month of the Valentine, I think it’s also the time for indulging a little. Forget the chocolate covered strawberries. I…
{meet the meat} Jeni had a little lamb pita pizza
I make an annual pilgrimage to what has become a fiber artist’s mecca. The New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY has pretty much exploded over the past few years. Not to get all “hipster” on you, but I was “going to Rhinebeck before going to Rhinebeck was cool”. The crowds are insane,…
{Kitchen Confessions} Quick Chicken Enchiladas
I have a confession to make. Brace yourselves. Sometimes I cheat… …sometimes I cheat and I buy a pre-roasted chicken from the grocery store! Oh man, does it feel good to get that off my chest. Let’s get real. I mean, I work all day.. I have a regular J.O.B. and there are times it…
{meet the meat} Grass Fed Ground Beef
You wouldn’t think that ground beef would need it’s own blog post, would you? Well, it does. Ground beef from feedlots (ie. the stuff you generally get in the conventional grocery store) is relatively forgiving. You can cook the heck out of it and it still tastes the same. Many a frying pan of taco…
{meet the meat} Baby Back Ribs
Ribs. Dang, I love ribs. Beef Short ribs, St. Louis Style Ribs, Baby Back ribs… There is just something about gnawing on a bone that brings out the Fred Flintstone in me. The baby back ribs are the cut that are the closest to the loin which sits on top of the spine of the…
{meet the meat} Pork Shoulder
I’m not shy about my love of meat. Some poor misguided soul recently confused me with someone who does “Meatless Mondays” on a regular basis. Um… no. Don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy a nice veggie meal once in a while (I’m looking at you, mujaddara), but more often than not, what I look…
{recipe} Stobhach Gaelach
Stobhach Gaelach.. sounds fancy doesn’t it? It’s not. In fact it’s one of the most common of peasant foods. Stobhach Gaelach is quite simply “Irish Stew” in Gaelic. My ethnic heritage is Irish, French and German with a touch of Dutch and Welsh, but if you were to ask my fraternal grandmother, I’m IRISH… end…
{diy project} Homemade Gravlax
I know.. I know.. I said I didn’t like fish. What I wasn’t really clear on is that I didn’t like cooked fish. I actually learned to enjoy lox while I worked at (the now closed) Bagel Bite. And I do still enjoy lox once in a while but have never made it at home….
{my culinary adventure} Figuring Out Fish
When I grew up “fish” for dinner was Gordons Battered Fish filets. I actually enjoyed those and its partner in fish abomination, the “Filet of Fish” sandwich at Mc.D’s. Of course, I covered them in tarter sauce and cheese so I didn’t really notice I was eating fish. In my home, fish sticks was the…
{edible gift} Apple Jalapeno Beef Jerky
As Erika will tell you, so many sweet things are given out this time of year. Seems that she and I think a lot alike as we both wanted to write about our beef jerky recipes! (We do share a mutual love of bacon, so really this is no surprise.) I really do think jerky…
{from scratch holidays} Turkey Tetrazzini
Thanksgiving in my home is usually just the two of us. Every year, the spouse says “Let’s just get a turkey breast this year.. no need to get a whole bird.” But every year I get a whole turkey anyway. I really enjoy roasting a whole bird and take a lot of pleasure in the…
{recipe} Apple Cranberry Stuffed Pork Chop
Editor’s Note: I am pleased to announce yet another fabulous ‘Community Voices’ Contributor to the FSC Roster! Swapper Jeni B, aka Pirate Jeni, is a popular food personality here in the Capital Region sharing her thoughts on her Blog, Twitter and Faceboook.. Her Tagline: Like Laura Ingalls…. with an attitude and an android device. PERFECTION! We…
from scratch club 