It’s been 5 years since I began the Twice as Tasty blog, and what a journey it has been. What started as a fun hobby creating a series of recipes read by a handful of friends has led to a shift in my writing and editing business—and it’s growing every day.

Thanks for being part of the adventure. The more you read, the more I research ideas, share new recipes and techniques, and write on the blog and for other publications.

The Year’s Highlights

The highlight of the year, and of my work as a food writer so far, was the release of my first cookbook last fall. The Complete Guide to Pickling has been racking up sales and receiving stellar reviews. It’s packed with recipes you’ll want to try with your homegrown or farmer’s market produce this summer.

To truly support me in this project, order an autographed copy directly from me. My hands will personally sign it, wrap it, and ship it to you or your lucky giftee.

As a bonus, I created The Pickled Picnic, an ebook of recipes that use pickles from my cookbook and other Twice as Tasty recipes. It features photographs by Brenda Ahearn and is available exclusively through Twice as Tasty. The ebook is instantly downloadable in a PDF format that you can save on all of your devices. You can learn more about these books here:

• The Science of Pickling
• Battle Ground native knows how to pickle practically anything
• Being a Cookbook Writer with Pickling Expert Julie Laing

Since the books’ release, I have expanded my writing to other outlets. For The Spruce Eats, I’ve been researching and testing everything from canning supplies to cookware. As I continue to test kitchen tools for this website, I’ll be sharing some of the recipes I’m using here on the blog. Here are some of my most recent collections and reviews:

• The 9 Best Canning Supplies in 2021
• The 7 Best Pressure Canners in 2021
• All American 10.5-Quart Pressure Canner Review
• Presto 16-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker Review
• Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner Review
• The 7 Best Stackable Cookware Sets in 2021

I’ve already written several other food essays and recipes that will be published in the coming months. Be sure to follow Twice as Tasty on Facebook and via email to be notified about my latest work outside the blog.

Best Recipes

Here on Twice as Tasty, I’ve continued to share delicious new recipes each week, including some samples from my pickling cookbook:

• Russian-Inspired Pickled Mushrooms
• Fresh Pears with Lemon
• Chinese-Inspired Brined Beans
• Sweet Vinegar-Pickled Eggs

Aren’t they tasty? You can order an autographed copy of the book directly from me.

Besides pickles, I’ve added dozens of new recipes to the blog in the last year. These have been some of the most popular:

• Smoked Cherries
• Sourdough Pretzel Bites
• Scratch-Made Pierogi
• Scratch-Made Steamed Buns
• Sourdough Ciabatta
• Adaptable Sourdough Crackers
• Sourdough Bagels
• Watermelon–Mint Sorbet
• Pear and Goat Cheese Galette
• Creamy Grilled Bell Pepper Pasta

Other popular posts focused on fermenting tools, techniques and tools for storing pickles, and tricks for adapting desserts and dehydrating food.

Next Year’s Plans

I plan to continue to expand my writing outside the blog in the coming year. But I’ll be sharing plenty of recipes right here as well. My garden is already beginning to produce some of my favorite vegetables, like asparagus and arugula, plus plenty of rhubarb. Strawberries will be ripening soon in my patch (they likely already are in yours), ready to be turned into desserts, shrubs, and jams. As always, the sourdough giveaway and recipes will return with the new year, and I continue to experiment with cheese recipes to share.

Although I’m focused on writing, I am available for summer workshops. These continue to be hands-on, in-person sessions in private homes: You choose the friends you’re most comfortable gathering together, and I come to your kitchen with everything we need to work in your space. Contact me to grab a space on my calendar. For some workshops that make the most of the growing season, check out this post.

You can always drop in on Twice as Tasty, but the latest recipes and news can come directly to you if you follow the blog. You also can keep up with some of my latest work via email, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Bloglovin’.

Thanks for another fabulous year of Twice as Tasty! Follow along or check back all month for delicious recipes that celebrate Twice as Tasty’s 5th birthday.

Get a signed copy of The Complete Guide to Pickling to fill your shelves and fridge with vinegar and fermented pickles, chutneys, hot sauces, salsa, and more. At the same time, pick up the The Pickled Picnic to learn how to use pickles and leftover brine in a range of recipes. Click here to order.