Cooking

"We're here to help form things. We have a food forest mimicking what the natural forest does." Ann and Gord Baird's edible gardens make use of less-than-ideal growing spaces on their rocky knoll. Nook and cranny gardens optimize micro-climates -- water catchment for perennial plants, rocks that retain warmth to extend the growing period, and trees providing fuel, food and shade. They are transitioning away from the annual food plants. As more perennials get established, they're becoming foragers rather than cultivators.

Let’s cultivate fermented food not only because it’s healthy, but for the wonderfully rich diversity of flavors! That’s what Kirsten K. Shockey and Christopher Shockey encourage. These food entrepreneurs show us how easy it is to make sauerkraut: slice and salt cabbage, scrunch it to get brine, press into a jar, weight it down, let it sit for a few days.

Watch baker Jen Ownbey whip up a batch of zucchini bread while she talks with Janaia about doing what she loves. Every week, members of her bakery CSA (community supported agriculture) get a handmade, local, mostly organic, and even personalized box of breads and bakery desserts. Jen talks about getting started, selling wholesale and at growers markets, plus the joys, lessons, and challenges of running a solo business.

A special about Portsmouth's effort for Taste of the Nation's program, ''No Kid Hungry.''

Guest Chef: Evan Hennessy making fresh oysters even more delicious with a dressing of watermelon and chipotle pepper. Perfect snack on the deck with warmer weather right around the corner! Hosted by Kathleen Somssich.

Guest Chef: Mary Ann Esposito, Ciao Italia.

In Chef Esposito’s third and final appearance, she prepares an Italian holiday treat – tira misu.

Guest Chef: Mary Ann Esposito, Ciao Italia.

In her second segment, Chef Esposito prepares chicken cutlets with orzo and spinach

Guest Chef: Mary Ann Esposito, Ciao Italia.

In a three-part appearance, special holiday guest chef Mary Ann Esposito, of Ciao Italia fame, shows us how to make popular Italian dishes. In her first segment, she makes risotto with squash and mascarpone.