A culinary online center dedicated to promoting the importance and the joy of American home cooking with an emphasis on local products and talent, celebrating the unique spirit and energy of the new food world ethos, especially in Vermont.

amuse bouche

I love quotes that add meaning to my life. Here are a few to live by:

How should I eat? (Not too much)
—Michael Pollan

If it is so difficult to learn to cook, how did all those early pioneer women manage to cross the country in rugged covered wagons and feed troops of people from one big pot hung over an open fire?
—Marion Cunningham, from Learning to Cook

Treat treats as treats.
—Michael Pollan

No matter how you slice it through, grain-fed meat production systems are a drain on the global food supply.
—Jonathan A. Foley, director of the Institute on the Environment, U of MN

Wild and Untamed

Say it out loud, “The Northeast Kingdom.” It sounds wild and untamed. The Kingdom is a year-round outdoor mecca, with mountain biking, hiking, leaf-peeping, and skiing. For an interesting perspective on what, if anything, makes NEK different from the rest of Vermont, check out this VPR clip.

I recently made NEK my destination to mountain bike the world renowned Kingdom Trails. Just under two hours from Burlington, the drive rewards you with expansive views of rolling hills and picturesque farmland. Akin to a sunset or the ocean, the visual effect is only fully appreciated in person – it is impossible to take a photo that effectively captures the essence of the place.

For my most recent adventure, after a long day of hammering the trails, I treated myself to dinner at Juniper’s Restaurant at the Wildflower Inn. From reading the reviews, I got the impression that Juniper’s is a refined establishment, so I called beforehand to make sure it was OK that I show up trail-weathered. I didn’t realize how weathered I was until I caught sight of my mud-splattered reflection in the bathroom mirror…but I’m sure they’ve seen worse! The Inn is located right on the trail system.

I started my meal with an AH-MAZING brussels sprouts salad. The preparation was so well done, it would change the heart of even the most staunch brussels sprouts critic: thinly sliced and cooked until crispy, then tossed with pine nuts, cranberries, and blue cheese. YUM! For dinner, I ordered pan-seared scallops, which were tasty, but nothing to write home about. They were served with garlic mashed potatoes and fiddleheads, which were the stars of the entree.

But really, the best thing about Juniper’s, is their location. Seated atop one of the many hilly undulations, their back patio features a spectacular west-facing view, perfect for watching the sun go down while digesting a tasty meal after a day of adventuring. I have no intention of turning this into a travel ad, but if you are looking for a getaway, this is an excellent escape.

Until next time,

Corrie Austin

Posted: 6-3-2018

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I recently made NEK my destination to mountain bike the world renowned Kingdom Trails.  Just under two hours from Burlington, the drive rewards you with expansive views of rolling hills and picturesque farmland.  Akin to a sunset or the ocean, the visual effect is only fully appreciated in person - it is impossible to take a photo that effectively captures the essence of the place.



For my most recent adventure, after a long day of hammering the trails, I treated myself to dinner at Juniper's Restaurant at the Wildflower Inn. From reading the reviews, I got the impression that Juniper's is a refined establishment, so I called beforehand to make sure it was OK that I show up trail-weathered.  I didn't realize how weathered I was until I caught sight of my mud-splattered reflection in the bathroom mirror...but I'm sure they've seen worse! The Inn is located right on the trail system.



I started my meal with an AH-MAZING brussels sprouts salad.  The preparation was so well done, it would change the heart of even the most staunch brussels sprouts critic: thinly sliced and cooked until crispy, then tossed with pine nuts, cranberries, and blue cheese.  YUM!  For dinner, I ordered pan-seared scallops, which were tasty, but nothing to write home about.  They were served with garlic mashed potatoes and fiddleheads, which were the stars of the entree.



But really, the best thing about Juniper's, is their location.  Seated atop one of the many hilly undulations, their back patio features a spectacular west-facing view, perfect for watching the sun go down while digesting a tasty meal after a day of adventuring.  I have no intention of turning this into a travel ad, but if you are looking for a getaway, this is an excellent escape.
Until next time,
Corrie Austin"
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Say it out loud, "The Northeast Kingdom."  It sounds wild and untamed.  The Kingdom is a year-round outdoor mecca, with mountain biking, hiking, leaf-peeping, and skiing.  For an interesting perspective on what, if anything, makes NEK different from the rest of Vermont, check out this VPR clip.



I recently made NEK my destination to mountain bike the world renowned Kingdom Trails.  Just under two hours from Burlington, the drive rewards you with expansive views of rolling hills and picturesque farmland.  Akin to a sunset or the ocean, the visual effect is only fully appreciated in person - it is impossible to take a photo that effectively captures the essence of the place.



For my most recent adventure, after a long day of hammering the trails, I treated myself to dinner at Juniper's Restaurant at the Wildflower Inn. From reading the reviews, I got the impression that Juniper's is a refined establishment, so I called beforehand to make sure it was OK that I show up trail-weathered.  I didn't realize how weathered I was until I caught sight of my mud-splattered reflection in the bathroom mirror...but I'm sure they've seen worse! The Inn is located right on the trail system.



I started my meal with an AH-MAZING brussels sprouts salad.  The preparation was so well done, it would change the heart of even the most staunch brussels sprouts critic: thinly sliced and cooked until crispy, then tossed with pine nuts, cranberries, and blue cheese.  YUM!  For dinner, I ordered pan-seared scallops, which were tasty, but nothing to write home about.  They were served with garlic mashed potatoes and fiddleheads, which were the stars of the entree.



But really, the best thing about Juniper's, is their location.  Seated atop one of the many hilly undulations, their back patio features a spectacular west-facing view, perfect for watching the sun go down while digesting a tasty meal after a day of adventuring.  I have no intention of turning this into a travel ad, but if you are looking for a getaway, this is an excellent escape.
Until next time,
Corrie Austin"
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I recently made NEK my destination to mountain bike the world renowned Kingdom Trails.  Just under two hours from Burlington, the drive rewards you with expansive views of rolling hills and picturesque farmland.  Akin to a sunset or the ocean, the visual effect is only fully appreciated in person - it is impossible to take a photo that effectively captures the essence of the place.



For my most recent adventure, after a long day of hammering the trails, I treated myself to dinner at Juniper's Restaurant at the Wildflower Inn. From reading the reviews, I got the impression that Juniper's is a refined establishment, so I called beforehand to make sure it was OK that I show up trail-weathered.  I didn't realize how weathered I was until I caught sight of my mud-splattered reflection in the bathroom mirror...but I'm sure they've seen worse! The Inn is located right on the trail system.



I started my meal with an AH-MAZING brussels sprouts salad.  The preparation was so well done, it would change the heart of even the most staunch brussels sprouts critic: thinly sliced and cooked until crispy, then tossed with pine nuts, cranberries, and blue cheese.  YUM!  For dinner, I ordered pan-seared scallops, which were tasty, but nothing to write home about.  They were served with garlic mashed potatoes and fiddleheads, which were the stars of the entree.



But really, the best thing about Juniper's, is their location.  Seated atop one of the many hilly undulations, their back patio features a spectacular west-facing view, perfect for watching the sun go down while digesting a tasty meal after a day of adventuring.  I have no intention of turning this into a travel ad, but if you are looking for a getaway, this is an excellent escape.
Until next time,
Corrie Austin"
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2 responses to “Wild and Untamed”

Kellie Kutkey says:

June 3, 2018 at 4:52 pm

I want to know how the fiddleheads were!
I think we’re too late to harvest them in the PNW, also too late for harvesting nettles, but ONE DAY!

Reply
- Bronwyn says:
  
  June 5, 2018 at 3:00 pm
  
  Fiddleheads are kind of like asparagus…but less woody on the outside and maybe slightly nuttier in flavor.
  
  It’s a little late here, as well, so I’m not sure just where they got these…but they were tasty nonetheless!
  
  Reply