It's Palisade Peach Season! Saturday mornings at the Farmer's Market is my happy place. I try to arrive early, when the vendors are talkative and before the produce has been manhandled by the multitudes. Chatting with a local sauce vendor sparked inspiration for one of my favorite summer recipes. The recipe includes grilled fresh Palisade […]
Easy Sweet Potato Chili
It's Chilly on the Chesapeake! Who knew that two Coloradans could be such wimps in the chilly fall temps of the Chesapeake Bay? Yes - we have enjoyed the birds and lighthouses of the bay, and even visited Washington, D.C. Now it's time to head south...and get warm. Needing a One-bowl Dinner When we're underway, […]
Homemade Yogurt (thermos method)
Why DIY yogurt? Sometimes you just can't find yogurt. While sailing in Central America, cruising the Bahamas, and at home during the pandemic, I desperately needed a yogurt fix. This recipe does the trick, it uses ingredients and equipment that are pantry staples so I always can have yogurt. And it's easy to make! Yogurt […]
Sharing our story (and recipe) with Sailing magazine!
It's been such a delight to be cruising aboard Snowcat for the past eight months. The Bahamas have been the best form of social distancing after 2 years of covid precautions. I've been cooking a lot as we explore remote anchorages and host family and friends. Along the way I was asked to share one […]
Conception Island - rough anchoring but worth it
We both felt it. Even though we were sound asleep, we recognized the jerk of boat against chain. Not good. We stumbled to the cockpit and surveyed the anchorage. People were up and moving on every boat in the bay, even though the sun was thirty minutes from rising. We'd all gone to sleep with […]
Plantain Chips with Sriracha Yogurt Dip
Okay…I am officially a fan of plantains! Buying produce in the Bahamas can be hit or miss, yet I can always find plantains. If you have had the good fortune to travel in the Caribbean or Latin America, you might have already tried a local plantain dish. We've enjoyed double-fried tostones in Cuba and baked […]
The Best Coconut Bread in the Bahamas
"Just knock on the door and go in." Really?! Should I follow that advice? I was in search of fresh baked coconut bread, not breaking-and-entering charges at the Black Point Settlement on Great Guana Cay in the Bahamas. Meeting the baker I was told to inquire about the bread at a favorite cruiser's hangout, Lorraine's […]
Offshore Passage to the Bahamas
"We're leaving early!" Dean concludes after checking the weather one more time. Later, his assumptions are confirmed by the Salty Dawg rally coordinators. The best day for leaving will be Saturday for the boats headed to the Caribbean and Sunday for the Bahamas bound boats- a day before our planned departure. We'll be sailing with […]
Bahamas Bound!
We have been working hard to get Snowcat II back in sailing shape and now we're ready for an adventure…the Bahamas! We have joined the Salty Dawg rally for cruisers and plan to sail south with about 80 other boats headed to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Follow our passage online! If you'd like to follow […]
Back on the Boat
A boat is a hole in the water, into which you pour money. says every boat owner at some point in their boating life! Yep, that pretty much sums it up. After a bit of neglect during Covid times, we're preparing for a season of sailing in the Bahamas and Snowcat is about ready. Re-commissioning […]
Green Chile Breakfast Bake
There is a flavor to living in the West. For me, that flavor is the warmth of roasting chiles, the tang of fresh lime (think margarita) and the subtle notes of cumin and cilantro. I take it for granted until I head east and struggle to find an authentic beef taco or chile relleno. Five […]
Tips for using Hatch Green Chiles
There is something special about the smell of roasting chiles. My eyes water at the aroma of heat and spice all wrapped into that packet of charred goodness. The flavor of these fresh green chiles are transformed by the flames, gaining a depth that only the heat can bring forth. Chile roasting time You know […]
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers
I'm just going to say it - I am a mushroom maniac. I forage for wild mushrooms in the fall and I cook with dried and fresh mushrooms whenever I can find them. Not only does the earthy flavor of mushrooms add umami to any dish, but the texture of mushrooms adds a satisfying bite […]
Fuss-free Frittata
Frittata sounds fancy (it is Italian after all), but it's the opposite of fussy. Think of a frittata as a versatile, fast meal that can be made of almost anything that you have in your refrigerator. The Swiss Army Knife of egg dishes! Simple Process, Endless Variations Got eggs? Veggies from last night's dinner? Scraps […]
Red Lentil Soup with Yogurt Sauce
I'm going to guess that you're new to lentils. You might have seen them on a menu or eaten them at your vegetarian cousin's house…but cook them yourself?... rarely! If you're new to lentils (and even if you're not) this recipe for Red Lentil Soup with Yogurt Sauce is going to turn you into a […]
Peppermint Black Bean Brownies
There is something magical about the marriage of mint and chocolate. The brightness of mint complements the richness of chocolate to make a fresh, yet deeply satisfying taste. Imagine schnapps and hot chocolate or mint Girl Scout cookies...what could taste better? Gluten free...but they'd never know It's hard to believe that this recipe starts with […]
Fresh Cran-raspberry Relish
Tart cranberries mellowed with raspberries, then gently sweetened with orange overtones - this is my favorite holiday cranberry dish. I'll admit that orange marmalade is not a pantry staple for me, so I buy one jar which gives me enough orange marmalade for two batches of relish. One relish, many uses Yes, serve this relish […]
Canary Islands - here we come
Looking back to 2002...
Peppery Turkey Breast
Why is turkey just for Thanksgiving? Why do we always wait until Thanksgiving time to enjoy turkey? The pleasing smell of roasting turkey wafting from the kitchen is a pleasure any time, not just in November. The small and amazing turkey breast The good news is that with very little effort, you can roast a […]
Easy Shredded Carrot Salad
Really...what are baby carrots? You know that those "baby" carrots in your refrigerator aren't really young carrots, don't you? As much as I appreciate the convenience of those pinky-sized carrots, their flavor, and texture reminds me of Styrofoam packing peanuts. Probably because in reality they're mature carrots, machine milled into uniform stubs. Hopeful that all […]
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
The taste of summer at its best What does summer taste like? For me it is the crisp, clean crunch of cucumber, the blast of flavor from a ripe cherry tomato. Add the exotic flavor of mint that hides behind the other ingredients until the time is right for it to jump out and catch […]
Rhubarb Meringue Squares
To be honest, the reason that I had Dean build a raised bed to grow rhubarb is for this one special recipe. Imagine a buttery shortbread crust with chopped pecans, tart rhubarb filling, all topped with a pillow of toasted meringue - my mom made this recipe every summer. I recently came across her recipe […]
Baba Ganoush that's worth the effort
Okay- that was disaster. Following the advice of a respected (past-tense now) food blogger, I put an eggplant directly on the burner of my gas stove to achieve the desired "smokey" eggplant flavor for a batch of Baba Ganoush. What I now know is that without cuts in the flesh to release the steam (which […]
Braised Garbanzo Beans with Lemon
Is it just me, or has grocery shopping during the coronavirus quarantine gotten crazier still. I understood the rush to stock up on toilet paper and I even loaded up on pasta and sauce for some anticipated comfort food meals. But lately I can't even find dried beans! Dried Beans- the best value All of […]
Steamboat - Corona Virus Edition
Crazy times! Crazy times! As I look out my window in Steamboat into a driving snowstorm, I'm feeling so grateful to be warm, safe and secure. I realize that many of you are dealing with your own storms during this time of the coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully you are all well and managing these new challenges […]
Shakshuka - the perfect breakfast-for-dinner meal
Okay, so the name of this recipe is a bit of a mouth-full, shack-shoe'-ka. Learn it well, because this recipe will soon be your favorite, easy meal. And yes - it's quite healthy too! Simple ingredient list This meal can come together in 30 minutes with very few ingredients. You'll need a large can of […]
Long Life Noodles
Imagine a table of diners, each enthusiastically poking through a mass of pasta, looking for the longest noodle. That's the typical scene when my family and friends come together for Long Life Noodles. Predicting a Long Life Long before this dish became a New Year custom in my home, Longevity noodles (aka Long Life Noodles) […]
Habanero Apricot Jam
The whole Massey family is home for the holidays - Jack just returned from travels in South America and Ben has a two week break from his second year of medical school. The four of us are spending our days skiing, visiting friends and family - just enjoying each other's company. Life is good! Limited […]
The Art and Science of a Good Recipe
A recipe is a story that ends with a good meal. Pat Conroy, author The Recipe Box Yesterday I dug out my old recipe box to find instructions for a Broccoli Rice Casserole that I used to love. I finally found the recipe, but not until I had spent the better part of a snowy […]
Salad Greens with Apple, Pomegranate Seeds and Maple Dressing
What's a Pomegranate? The pomegranate seeds were viewed with suspicion by the girls in my Brownie troop. One of the Girl Scouts said, "I'm not eating that!", as she stared into the cup of plump, bright red seeds. Another chimed in, "Try them, we eat them all of the time at my Grandma's house - […]
Best Black Bean Soup
Souvenir Eating Have you ever had a meal that you could still taste years later? Maybe not physically taste, but at least recall the surprise at that first bite...the texture as it entered your mouth, the unexpected spice that lingered after you swallowed. I consider these rare moments of eating, the best kind of souvenir. […]
Steamboat for the Winter
Yes friends...it's high time for an update from the Masseys. We parked the boat in Baltimore this summer while Dean had his rotator cuff repaired. After surgery and lots of physical therapy we're thinking that he will be back to 100% by ski season. Note to fellow boaters: Hanging over the bow of the boat […]
Green Tomato and Lime Salsa
Here we go again - the first freeze of the fall on it's way and I'm bundled in my parka and bedroom slippers frantically picking firm, green globes from my tomato vines. Short Growing Season I know, high elevation gardeners like me are crazy to plant tomatoes. At 6,700 feet above sea level my growing […]
Nothing Beats Beets
It was the beginning of my junior year at Colorado State University and at long last I was living in an off campus apartment with three new roommates. Two of us nutrition majors, an occupational therapy student and a psych major all seemed to be getting along famously until that one morning in early fall. […]
Beet and Arugula Salad with Lemon Dressing
Lovin' Freshies Beet Salad I order their beet salad almost every time I go to our favorite Steamboat restaurant - Freshies. Firm red or orange chunks of earthy beets nestled in a bed of arugula, walnuts and feta cheese, all tossed with a maple dressing - what could be better? My Own (lemon) Twist I […]
Rhubarb Sauce Revisited
Rhubarb grows everywhere in the mountains…except at my house. Long neglected clumps of rhubarb thrive in old Colorado homesteads - so why can't I grow rhubarb? After three years of unsuccessfully planting commercial rhubarb starts in various corners of my yard, I consulted with the Colorado State University Extension Master Gardeners. Master Gardener to the […]
Special Green Sauce
Special Green Sauce to the Rescue No time to cook? My solution to last minute, uninspired meals is Special Green Sauce. With a bright, fresh herbal crunch, mellow garlic undertones and a kick of chile, this versatile sauce will wake up the most boring foods. Scrambled eggs or breakfast tacos are transformed with a dollop […]
We're Back in Steamboat!
Just a Little Repair Work Needed The Massey's have parked their boat, Snowcat, in Baltimore and are back in Steamboat. Dean is recovering from surgery on a torn rotator cuff and is impatiently waiting to get back to an active life. We expect the recovery to take 5 months, so we'll be suspending our sailing […]
Exploring the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Why Visit a Boat Graveyard? When you live on a sailboat, it just makes sense to avoid any place claiming to be the "Graveyard of the Atlantic". The Outer Banks of North Carolina are well-known to boaters for fierce weather, strong winds, rocky outcroppings and shifting sandbanks. Over 5,000 ships have been lost along this […]
Lentils and Rice with Tangy Yogurt Sauce
Exotic, yet Simple While experimenting with my electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot), I fell in love with the flavor of this exotic, yet simple meatless meal. I've always thought that brown rice and lentils are great sources of fiber, but a bit boring. This recipe changes that impression. The Secret is the Sauce The warm […]
Bahamian Treasures
Three of our Favorite Islands you can Visit Without a Boat We love the Bahamas where you can snorkel in clear, turquoise water, stroll along sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see and just relax. If you're looking for something outside of the usual cruise ship, all-inclusive island experiences...we have some […]
Sailing Home
Offshore Sailing is like... The best way for me to describe an offshore passage is to have you imagine driving an RV across country…except instead of an RV, you're driving a boat…and instead of traveling a highway it's more of an amusement park ride, part roller coaster and part lazy river…and instead of being able […]
Going Offshore
Short Hops vs Giant Offshore Leap It's possible to sail between ports in the US and Bahamas in short, day hops of 50 to 60 miles at a time. Yet, as we prepare to sail north to Beaufort, NC, we're considering another approach…to just send it and go offshore. Weighing the Options The argument in […]
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