Art of Natural Living

Greek Butter Cookies (Kourabiedes)

By Inger Dec 1, 2024 Christmas, Cookies & Candies 12 Comments

Melt in the mouth buttery, with an effusive coating of powdered sugar, these Greek Butter Cookies (Kourabiedes) are a special Christmas treat.

Greek Butter Cookies

My earliest memory of Greek Butter Cookies comes from Milwaukee’s Holiday Folk Fair.   Held (approximately) the weekend before Thanksgiving since 1944, it’s a celebration of ethnicity–with dancing, culture and delicious food! 

At age nine, when my parents first deemed me old enough to attend, I gravitated immediately to the sweets–including these Greek Butter Cookies. And while most online pictures of the cookies show a modest coating of powdered sugar (similar to pecan fingers) the Greek booth’s cookies were over the top. 

Set in white cupcake liner papers, they were covered in generous mounds of powdered sugar that cascaded off as you took a bite.  Paired with the equally wonderful honey Diples, that booth was irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth!  Read more

Quick Cranberry Pecan Bread

By Inger Nov 16, 2024 Breads & Muffins, Cooking & Recipes 19 Comments

An easy bread that is loaded with flavor, Quick Cranberry Pecan Bread is made with fresh cranberries and perfect for fall snacking.

Quick Cranberry Pecan Bread

Of all the wonderful associations with fall, my favorite is the harvest—probably not surprising for a natural food blogger!  And when the cranberries start to arrive, I am get even more excited.

Should I make a crisp? Cranberry sauce for my Swedish pancakes? So many recipes, so little time!

For this cranberry season, I went back to an old favorite cookbook, Beard on Bread, by James Beard. When I first started baking in the 80s, it was one of my bread bibles. I make it with just a couple of small changes then we indulged!

‘Cause who can resist a nice cranberry pecan bread! Read more

Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

By Inger Nov 9, 2024 Condiments, Preserving & More, Cooking & Recipes 6 Comments

With a bright, tart flavor, and overtones of herbs and garlic, Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes are perfect for salads or charcuterie boards!

Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

This year I had a fun problem. With the warm fall and late frost, my garden seemed to grow on forever!

And this meant loads of cherry tomatoes.  But what would I do with them all!

Happily, the bounty allowed me to complete something that’s been on my “to do” list for over a decade (shhh).   And that is making Refrigerator Pickle Cherry Tomatoes!

You see, way back when CSAs still had member potlucks, someone brought pickled cherry tomatoes. And I still remember my delight at the tart freshness and robust flavor from the garlic and herbs. 

Once I’d made my first batch (of many), I loved the flavor along with the east of preparation.  So why did I wait so long to try my own?  Read more

(Whole Wheat) Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

By Inger Oct 26, 2024 Breads & Muffins, Cooking & Recipes 28 Comments

What’s slightly caramelized, dense, rich, and sweet—but healthier than regular banana bread?  This Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Starting back in the crunchy granola seventies—even before I was out of school, I set out on a mission.  I would try converting many of my favorite family recipes to new dietary standards. 

I figured If my childhood favorite food could

  1. handle whole wheat flour,
  2. use less fat and sugar and
  3. still taste devastatingly good

then it had to be a win-win!  Read more

css.php