Recently we were introduced to an interesting vegetable, Japanese Knotweed, by our local forager. I had never heard of or seen anything like it. A beautiful asparagus-looking plant with thick stocks and full leaves, we were told it resembled rhubarb in flavor. Being a huge fan of rhubarb, Barnaby’s eyes instantly lit up. He grabbed a bag and started filling it with the shoots.

At home he made a Japanese Knotweed Apple Crumble. To me, it tasted a bit more earthy than I would have liked, but it does have a wonderful sour flavor – indeed similar to rhubarb.

Just another one of those cool farmer’s market finds!

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Hi, my name is Sheri and I’m a DRY Soda-aholic. There, I said it. I’m not ashamed of it. If you tasted these you would be addicted too.

DRY Soda Co. is a Seattle-based company that produces all-natural sodas. Really, they are non-alcoholic so you won’t have to worry about losing your job and living in your car if you, too, become addicted. These are not your ordinary sodas. They are ever-so-lightly sweetened with pure cane sugar and are flavored with the extracts of fruit or herbs. Their current tantalizing yet subtle flavors are lavender, rhubarb, kumquat and lemongrass. I honestly cannot tell you which is my favorite as they are all divine. So I just keep drinking more.

Still need inspiration? Here are some of DRY Soda staff’s favorite pairings:

Kumquat DRY with oysters
Lavender DRY and chocolate lava cake
Lemongrass DRY with Thai curry
Rhubarb DRY and butternut squash

What soda company suggests giving “yourself home turndown service with Lavender DRY and a chocolate square before bed” or, creating “your own mini-spa experience at home with DRY Soda and a favorite CD, candle or bath fizz”? Sounds good to me. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but off I go to soak in the tub with my soda!

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