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Dark Chocolate Edamame Apple Biscotti

October 5, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I come from a long line of soybean farmers so I feel a certain kinship to edamame. Steamed in the pods, edamame is one of my favorite appetizers. Dry-roasted, it makes a quick snack. On this rainy, cool fall day, I decided to bake with edamame using ingredients in my pantry. I ended up with this Dark Chocolate Edamame Apple Biscotti. I know my Daddy would be proud…
grace grits and gardening the miracle bean
Ingredients
2 cups self-rising flour
scant cup of sugar (scant because I ran out…)
1/4 cup applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped dry-roasted edamame
1/2 cup chopped apple
Method
Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Spread cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Before mixing ingredients, remove hulls and chop edamame. (Rub a handful of beans in the palm of your hand, and the hulls will separate fairly easily…) Set aside.

the miracle bean
Mix applesauce and sugar together. Add vanilla. Beat in eggs. Add flour slowly, mixing by hand. Dough will become thick and stiff. Fold in beans, chocolate chips and apple by hand. (This is the point  when I thought cranberries or dried cherries would be a yummy addition, but I was too lazy to run to the grocery store, plus it was still raining. So I added diced apple instead. Worked great!) 
the fun part!
Divide dough in half. Form two logs (about 10×2 inches) on a cookie sheet. The dough is very sticky. (Moistened fingertips helps.) Bake for 40 minutes.
Remove and let cool 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 275 degrees.
smells heavenly!
After the biscotti has cooled, slice diagonally and lay pieces on the parchment lined cookie sheet. (Eat the little end pieces—they’re too small to go back in the oven…)
Bake another 15 minutes.
Delicious with coffee or hot tea!
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Chopped Cobb Salad with Chick Peas

September 30, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

This version of a Cobb salad is perfect when you’re in the mood for a light dinner, yet you want something more substantial than a basic tossed salad. This is also a great way to use up all those veggies in your crisper that seemed like a great idea at time but somehow never made it into the week’s menu.

With traditional ingredients like bacon and boiled eggs plus a few updates such as goat cheese and chick peas, what’s not to love? Plus, arranging the ingredients in rows, makes dinner more festive. We southern girls know about food presentation…

Grace Grits and Gardening Cobb Salad

Ingredients

(serves two main courses)

3 1/2 cups fresh greens – including spinach and kale
4 boiled eggs, chopped
5 slices of bacon, crumbled
1 cup chick peas
3/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
4-5 green onions, chopped
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
fresh ground black pepper
sea salt

Crumble and/or chop ingredients so that pieces are relatively uniform.

Arrange on dinner plates in rows, alternating ingredients and food colors with greens in the center.

Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar (or other favorite dressing). Sprinkle with pepper and sea salt to taste.

If you have a house divided (like mine)—vegetarians and carnivores—set up a mini-salad bar and let each design his or her own plate. Substitute avocado for the bacon and veggie lovers will be happy.

For meat-lovers, add or substitute shredded turkey and/or chicken—whatever’s on hand.

Yummy!

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Strawberry Goat Cheese Thai Basil Crostini

September 27, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

Foodie Friday

made with Strawberry Fruit Spread from Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum
This is a great brunch appetizer, snack or dessert. 
Toasted Sourdough
Drizzle of Olive Oil
Berry Jam
Goat Cheese Crumbles
Thai Basil
Thai basil is a peppery, anaise-flavored version of basil with smaller, deep green leaves and purple-hued stems. The flowers make a nice garnish and are edible as well. 
strawberry goat cheese thai basil crostini
Thai Basil
For this recipe, regular basil or fresh sage works great too.


talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life

It is very hot and dry here…We have had an abundance of fine fruit so far this season. Cherries, berries, plums and early peaches but the dryness is affecting the apples and everyone’s disposition.—Mary Pfeiffer, July 1933 (in a letter to her daughter Pauline and son-in-law Ernest Hemingway in Key West…)
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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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