We've been featuring great homemade food gifts here on The Kitchn this week, and with holiday leftovers abound one can always appreciate a savory condiment to freshen things up and add new flavors. Today we're going to show you how to make a Cranberry Mostarda, with the help of Chef Mat Clouser of Swift's Attic. Then we're going to wrap things up and gift some to our friends for the holidays. More

When Glenn and Paula Foore decided to start a small community garden in their East Austin back yard, little did they know that within one short year it would manifest itself fully as Springdale Farm, a small yet vibrant urban farm taking up less than 5 acres just 3 miles east from the state Capitol in Austin, Texas. Just as unexpectedly, their kitchen became a place for passionate chefs — to whom the farm now supplied farm-to-table offerings — to transform fresh ingredients into healthy meals. At Apartment Therapy last week we toured this couple's beautiful pier-and-beam style farmhouse, and today we'll get a closer look at the very heart and soul of their home: the cozy kitchen.

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Now that you have taken the full behind-the-scenes tour of Jeanine & Jack's radiant kitchen, we're happy to bring you a special treat: a recipe from this cooking couple. You can count on Jeanine's recipes to be bright, fresh, and full of flavor. These miso & maple glazed sweet potato tacos let us indulge in the tastes of fall. More

While trying to decide on an artisan product to review, the first thing that came to mind is jam. Maybe it's because I enjoyed homemade biscuits last week, or maybe it's because the art of jam making brings to mind memories of our grandmothers—cooking down the puree over the stove, canning the preserves in an all-day affair. The maker of Confituras jam in Austin makes everything to order in small batches, all mixed in a large copper pot. It's truly artisanal and the flavors are worth writing about. More

Today we're going to take a tour of Austin kitchen celebrity Ms. Jess Simpson. No, not the Jessica Simpson known for pop music, MTV, and Tony Romo. We're talking the cheery Austin talent that sings with her food on ForgivingMartha.com. Working out of her apartment kitchen, Jess doesn't let things like counter space and gluten-free dietary restrictions prevent her from whipping up creative meals (and desserts!) that look as good as they taste. Let's get real, y'all.

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It's important to teach our kids the value of fresh, real food and a home cooked meal. However, we often struggle with just the right way to introduce these concepts to our children's developing palates and tastes. Why not try to encourage healthy eating, by engaging them in a summer activity such as planting an herb or two? Here are some thoughts and tips on this that I picked up at Austin's recent Food Revolution Day Event. More

Those of you living in Austin, Texas, have one more reason to love your city. Green Bucket Composting is a local service that will pick up your compost and put it to good use on a nearby family farm.

What a perfect and convivial solution for us yard-less and garden-less apartment dwellers, don't you think? More

It's not every day you see a house literally wrapped in wood but that's exactly how Erin's house is. The kitchen walls, ceiling and even island are wrapped in beautiful wood panels. It's done so successfully that it'll actually have you considering doing this in your own home. More

When Kelly Moseley lived in New York City, she was always envious of a certain friend with a large kitchen island. So when she and her husband Louie bought a 1930s cottage in Austin, Texas, she made sure she got one of her own. The kitchen was the first room the couple tackled in their new house, knocking down walls to create a big, family-friendly space with beautiful, muted gray tones and a sophisticated feel. More

City: Austin, TX
Population: 1.6 million
Local specialties: Eclectic cuisine from barbecue to health food; locally-brewed beer

As the capital of Texas, Austin embraces a diversity of residents and visitors, from politicians to college students, musicians to tech industry workers. The city's culinary culture is equally eclectic, serving up everything from barbecue to health food. A strong sense of individualism and support for local businesses have also made Austin home to many food and beverage artisans. More