Art of Natural Living

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

By Inger Mar 25, 2025 Desserts & Snacks 8 Comments

Creamy and fruity, this homemade strawberry ice cream is easy and tasty with no cooking.  Celebrate spring! 

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

 

Strawberries are a favorite harbinger of spring.  And as we cast off the cloak of winter, why not enjoy them in ice cream.  It’s fruity, refreshing and fun—doesn’t that say Welcome Spring!

But there is one real challenge in making great homemade strawberry ice cream.  It needs a high percentage of berries to achieve real berry flavor, but frozen berries can turn hard and icy when frozen.

But this recipe has a few tricks to address this.  Even better, it’s easy!  Read more

Homemade Butter Toffee

By Inger Mar 23, 2025 Christmas, Cookies & Candies, Desserts & Snacks 23 Comments

Homemade butter toffee is a crunchy and tasty treat that is perfect for beginner candymakers!  Serve it for Christmas, Easter or just because!

Butter Toffee

Homemade butter toffee is a great introduction to candy-making.  I’ve been making it for years using the recipe below that was passed around the neighborhood when I was a growing up.  I think every middle and high school girl on the block made it at least once.  How’s that for doable?

As candy making goes, making toffee is a simple process.  You cook butter and sugar until caramelized, add vanilla, then pour onto a buttered or parchment lined baking sheet.  Top with melted chocolate and crushed nuts and you’re done.  All ready to delight your family and impress your friends!  Read more

Cranberry Orange Marmalade

By Inger Mar 22, 2025 Condiments, Preserving & More 16 Comments

This Cranberry Orange Marmalade is bright and sweet with less bitterness due to a special recipe secret.

Cranberry Orange Marmalade

Marmalade is a classic sweet condiment, ranking somewhere between jams and fruit curd in importance.  But if, like me, you’re not a fan of bitter flavors, you may think (perhaps mistakenly) that it’s not for you. 

Now there are many bitter flavor lovers in the world–just look at the popularity of IPAs.  And for them, the inclusion of bitter citrus peel (a defining characteristic of marmalade) is delicious!    

But as it turns out, it’s not at all difficult to moderate the bitterness in marmalade.  If you use only the bright orange part of the rind and strip away the bitter white pith, you can get a marmalade that is bright and cheery, with just a hint of bitter.  Balanced by sweetness of course!  Yum!

This recipe can be canned or simply refrigerated depending on your preferences and cooking skills.  It makes a small batch (you can even halve it) and is tasty, so it shouldn’t be too hard to use it up!  Read more

Confetti Corn with Peppers and Herbs

By Inger Mar 15, 2025 Fruits & Vegetables 8 Comments

Confetti corn brings together golden sweet corn, savory ripe peppers and flavorful herbs for a dish that is easy to make, but complex in flavor.

Confetti Corn Served

Whatever the season, a breath of summer is always welcome. And this Confetti corn delivers a delightful blend of sunny, colorful and tasty.  It’s reminiscent of cookouts and yard parties, but welcome–all year round!

And did I mention it’s easy?  Read more

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