Thyme Well Spent - Personal Chef Service, LLC

10/24/2024

These are sooooo good AND they’re easy to make.

Cheesecake is good. Cheesecake bars? Even better.

10/21/2024

This is a great tip! I always keep oyster sauce, fish sauce, and hoisin in stock.

This turkey gravy recipe uses a buerre manié technique and oyster sauce to make the ultimate lump free turkey gravy for your Thanksgiving or holiday table.

10/20/2024

Remember those Pancake Suppers at the church or volunteer fire department? They’re not just for breakfast! 🥞
📸: Matt Hulsman

Top these fluffy pancakes with cooked apples, a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

10/17/2024

Here is a great way to help WNC!! 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association’s top priority is the well-being of our farmers, their families, their workers (which are like family), industry partners, friends, neighbors, and all those navigating the devastation of Hurricane Helene. North Carolina is the second largest Christmas-...

09/30/2024

09/26/2024

Thanks to Lauren Coleman for stopping by the kitchen this morning! Tune into WFMY News 2 Friday, 11/4 at 9am to see my recipes in the October issue of Our State Magazine. Happy Fall y’all! 🍁🍂🍁

09/24/2024

For those of us in the Piedmont of NC, we don’t have to drive far to be in the beautiful NC mountains. Take a drive, pick some apples, and cherish the memories.

Discovering Appalachia

In 1974, western North Carolina saw a rare tornado that devastated the area around Murphy and Andrews. My youth group at Irving Park United Methodist Church in Greensboro was assigned to visit the elderly to offer words of hope and deliver meals. As we approached the tornado’s path, trees were lying on the ground like children’s pick-up sticks as far as the eye could see.

We visited one woman who, to my 14-year-old eyes, looked like she was 120. She couldn’t have been more than 5 feet tall, and her sweet face reminded me of the dried apple dolls that my mom used to make. Her white hair was pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck, and she wore a floral cotton dress under a stained burlap apron. Her kitchen was decorated with a string of dried apple slices and rows of canned vegetables from her garden. Her house was warm from the oven and smelled of cinnamon and apples.

My peers and I had trekked through thick woods to get to her small cabin. I remember thinking, Where does she go for groceries? Who does she call if she needs help? She was so grateful for our visit. She served us fresh bread and homemade apple butter, and even though my mom had taught me to always accept what was offered, I couldn’t bring myself to drink the warm buttermilk that she had prepared.

After our youth leader said a prayer, we all said our goodbyes. I was the last one to leave, and my eyes started to water. The woman held my face in her hands and said, “I’m so glad you came to see me. Come back when you can.” I thanked her for sharing her stories and told her that her bread was the best I had ever eaten. - Lynn Wells
October issue, Our State Magazine

In the fall, there’s an abundance of mountain apples that can be stewed, used in fried hand pies, made into apple butter, or baked into a warm apple bread.

09/14/2024

I bought a huge box of canning tomatoes this morning at Rudd Farm for $15. They’re a mix of German Johnsons and Cherokee Purple. After washing, I just cut them in half and place them in a large pot with salt and good olive oil. Let them cook down, cool, then use a fine sieve strainer to remove skins. Place in ziploc freezer bags and freeze until ready to use! 🍅

09/14/2024

I’ve had a lot of chili in my life and this is by far my favorite recipe. I first had Margie‘s chili in 1979 at Fred’s General store on top of Beech Mountain. Even though Margie is no longer with us, her chili is still served in the deli today.

Loaded with beef and beans, this hearty chili from Fred’s General Mercantile in Beech Mountain has been warming bellies for decades.

09/14/2024

This family owned and operated farm is just outside of Boone, NC!

09/05/2024

Perfect timing! Having just been to NC State’s first game last week, this short story brings back so many memories. Enjoy the recipes! 🏈

For this chef, afternoons spent cheering for NC State University were followed by a special dinner in Raleigh — plus a homemade sweet treat.

08/29/2024

Doing a short food production segment with WFMY this morning at the house. I’ll turn the thermostat down to 65°. When they leave, I’ll turn it back up to 68°. 😎
We can’t be sweating on camera! 😁

08/28/2024

Sharing because SHARING IS CARING!! How clean are those meat slicers at the deli?

More illnesses and deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats is reminder to avoid recalled pr

08/28/2024

08/28/2024

I’ll let y’all in on a little secret. I have several pit master friends who make Macaroni & Cheese and SMOKE IT for their events and menus. 🔥

My recipe isn’t smoked; it’s just so dang good!!

Everything is better with Cheddar. And when it comes to mac ’n’ cheese, we like to add cream cheese and Monterey Jack for good measure.

08/27/2024

Going to my first college football game of the season this week! What are you bringing or making for the tailgate? ♥️ 🐺 ♥️

08/26/2024

Happy Monday! I think I’ll make a big bowl of Macaroni Salad today.

Make this recipe your go-to side dish for this summer’s cookouts.

08/25/2024

I’m not sure why I’ve been craving tomato soup, but I dug out this recipe and going to add a grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy!

Set aside the canned version: We’ve updated the original for grown-up tastes.

08/15/2024

“Life itself is the proper binge”
- Julia Child

08/11/2024

This might just be the most delicious recipe you’ve had all summer! It even sounds refreshing!

Celebrate peaches in all their summer glory with this refreshing gazpacho.

08/09/2024

Whether it’s the drought or 8” of rain in 2 days, our farmers keep us fed.

🌥️Friday, 8/9: farm store open 9:00-4:00.
*Our farm received over 8 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, Wednesday evening through Thursday evening. We appreciate your patience as we navigate waterlogged fields the next few days and determine what can be harvested. We will keep the farm store as fully stocked as we can.*

Produce availability, all while supplies last:
🍑local peaches, 🌽Rudd Farm white & bi-color corn, 🫑peppers, okra, 🍈cantaloupes, 🍉watermelon, 🍅tomatoes, 🥔new potatoes, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, onions, & 🍆eggplant.
🍯Other items: 🥚eggs, honey, strawberry preserves, Rudd Farm hats & sweatshirts, Rudd Farm cookbooks, & gift certificates.

💳 Cash and card accepted
⏰Mon-Fri 9:00-4:00; Sat 9:00-1:00
📍4021 Hicone Rd., Greensboro NC
📞 336-621-1264

08/07/2024

Succotash has won me over! Thanks to Rudd Farm 🌽

2 tablespoons bacon grease
4 ears of corn, cut off the cob
1 lb. fresh okra, sliced
1 large heirloom tomato, cored and chopped
1 sweet yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add bacon grease. Add corn and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chopped tomatoes and stock; cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Pour corn and tomato mixture in a large bowl and set aside.

To the skillet add okra and chopped pepper on medium high heat. Cook for 2 minutes then stir. Cook another 1-2 minutes; remove from heat.

Add okra and pepper to corn mixture. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve over seasoned rice or enjoy as a side dish.

07/29/2024

My mom used to read cookbooks like novels. While working on a recipe project for 2025, I came across her handwritten notes inside one of her Junior League cookbooks. ♥️📚♥️