Nobody Likes a Leek.

During a conversation with a co-worker regarding the types of vegetables kids will plant in an upcoming program, my co-worker suggested leeks.  My response, "Leeks? Nobody likes a leek." A few hours later I was still thinking about leeks. Do I even know if I really like, or dislike, a leek?

I needed the answer. After a stop at the grocery to purchase nothing but leeks, I got busy in the kitchen washing, cutting and roasting vegetables including the leeks. (See my recipe below). One hour later, I had the answer. Leeks are really quite likable.

Cleaning Leeks

Leeks are a fantastic vegetable. With a taste of mild onion, leeks can be used to cook up amazing batches of soup, sautés, and more. But the very nature of how leeks grow can make them tricky to clean; dirt and sand can get buried within the leeks' rings. Here is a great way to make sure your leeks are dirt-free and ready for cooking:

• Ready a large bowl of water.
• Cut off the root end of the leek and the dark green tops (save for stock). 
• Cut the leek in bite-sized rings, separating the layers into individual rings. (Alternatively, you can slice the leek length-wise, then cut into half-circles.)
• Place the leek rings into the bowl of water, and agitate the leeks well to dislodge any dirt.
• Let the leeks sit in the water for a few minutes, allowing the dirt to fall to the bottom of the bowl.
• Lift the now-clean leeks out of the bowl with your hands. Do not pour out the leeks, which would simply pour the dirt back onto them.
• Place the leeks in a colander and allow them to drain.
• Use in soups, omelets, sautés, and more.

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Information provided by New Mexico's Farmers' Markets May 2015 e-newsletter.

For more information about what's in season, along with recipes and cooking tips visit 

New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association

Altitude & Attitude Adjustments

Six years ago I moved to New Mexico.  One particular day, I was feeling a bit homesick. I was also feeling a bit hungry. I decided to make a favorite recipe my mom has always made for me, cheese souffle.  Although mine is never as good as hers, I could hardly wait for the timer to go off so I could enjoy my delicious meal and so I could feel a little closer to home.

My Mother's Perfect Soufflé

One hour later I pulled the most beautiful souffle out of my oven. I couldn't  believe how "tall" it had risen.  I'm pretty sure "tall" isn't the technical term for describing a souffle, but in our house, the height of a souffle was the number one indicator of it's beauty, taste and overall quality. The height of mine was the equivalent of an Olympic gold medal performance.

After placing the souffle on a trivet to cool, I turned to grab some plates. As I turned back around, I stopped dead in my tracks.  The souffle was gone. The souffle mold was still there, but my beautiful souffle was no where to be seen.  It wasn't until I looked deep into the mold that I saw my souffle's remains.  As lovely as it had risen in 60 minutes, it had deflated to its ugly death in less than 5 seconds.

MY First New Mexico Disaster

Disappointingly throwing the deflated disaster in the trash, I vowed to never make a stupid souffle again. Dramatically, I blamed the kitchen failure on my lack of cooking skills, my mom's recipe, my unfamiliar oven, New Mexico, the birds happily chirping outside....pretty much everyone and anything. What had I done wrong?

Turns out it all had to with altitude. Living in the center of the state, I was now baking at a different altitude than I had in the past.  Simply increasing the temperature of the oven (approx 25 degrees), increasing the amount of milk (2 tablespoons per cup), and adding a bit more flour would have prevented this kitchen disaster.

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As for my attitude, understanding altitude has made for a positive improvement.  I have made the souffle since, but have altered by adding green chile as a tribute to what is now my New Mexico home.

For Specific Instructions on High Altitude Cooking and Baking Visit:
E-215: High Altitude Cooking
Cir 293: Cake & Mix Recipes for High Altitudes in NM
USDA High Altitude Cooking & Food Safety Website

Taste of Home, Right Here at Home!

Do I like Taste of Home? Just so happens
these are stacked on my desk as I type!

This educator likes to learn! I also like to have a good time with people who have similar interests. Such an opportunity is coming to Albuquerque and I have to share it with you!

Taste of Home magazine is holding a cooking school Saturday, June 6th from 3-8 pm at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  TASTE OF HOME!  How much fun will this be?!  I love looking through their magazines and appreciate that the recipes featured come from REGULAR people with REGULAR kitchens who buy REGULAR groceries! I especially enjoy their Healthy Cooking publications and have used some of the recipes in cooking classes and at home.

I've got my tickets! Hope to see you there!
Click here for more information about the event and to purchase tickets.

Want to actually participate in other cooking programs? Take a look at all the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service has to offer! Visit our new website:
Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service | Health & Well-Being

Just Get Moving!

My mother was a runner.  I’m talking marathon racing, heart pumping, sweat pouring RUNNING. Many weekends were spent watching her compete in races. She was and still is an excellent example. For years, hanging in her room was a poster which read:

WHY DO I RUN?
TAIN'T NO MYSTERY--
I WANNA HAVE A GOOD MEDICAL HISTORY,
DOCTOR TOLD ME RUNNIN IS GREAT--
HELPS THEM BLOOD CELLS CIRCULATE,
GREAT FOR THE LUNGS,
GREAT FOR THE TICKER,
CAN'T NOTHIN' GETCHA
IN BETTER SHAPE QUICKER,
FEELS SO HEALTHY, FEELS SO SWEET,
PUMPIN MY ARMS AND FLAPPIN' MY FEET,
MOLDIN' MY MUSCLES, FIRMIN' MY FORM,
PANTIN' LIKE A PACK MULE,
SWEATIN' UP A STORM,
KEEPS ME YOUTHFUL,
KEEPS ME LOOSE,
TIGHTENS MY TUMMY
AND SHRINKS MY CABOOSE,
BEATS BEIN' LAZY--
WHY DO I RUN? MAYBE I'M CRAZY!
                                                     ~ Ed Cummingham

I’m proud (and sometimes frightened!) of the characteristics I’ve inherited from my mom. Unfortunately, running isn’t one of them. I don’t run. At all. EVER. I’m not even sure I’d know how to move my body to make the motion of running if something scary was chasing me. 

 What I do enjoy, is walking! Sometimes while walking, the poem “runs” through my mind.  Instead of, why do I run? I’m thinking, why do I walk?  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports the health benefits of physical activity include: weight management, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes, improving mental health and mood, and increasing your chances of living longer.

What’s the point to all of this?  It doesn’t matter if you’re a runner, walker, bike rider or vigorous gardener.  What does matter is that you just get moving!  For more information about the health benefits of physical activity visit: Center for Disease Control & Prevention | Physical Activity for Everyone

And the Adventure Begins!

I LOVE when the seasons change! Having grown up in a part of the country with four very distinct seasons, I always looked forward to buds appearing on barren tree limbs, school letting out for the summer, the first crisp cold air signifying the beginning of fall (and sweater wearing weather!) and the first glorious snowfall.  The beginning of each season seemed almost magical because it was new and exciting as well as a little mysterious and unknown. 

In a way, this blog has some of the same characteristics as a season…it is the epitome of change! Change in how I communicate, receive feedback, and share ideas. To me, it is magical in that I’m potentially able to reach an audience much larger than what I reach through my classes.  This is something new and incredibly exciting as teaching and idea sharing are passions of mine.   Finally, blogging is a little mysterious and unknown as I have no previous experience nor do I have a clear result or expectation of this blog.  What I do know is that I’m going on an adventure and I’m SO excited you’re choosing to come along!