The International or “Auntie Mame” of the Cookie World
Making holiday cookies is really not that complicated to understand or do. It might seem difficult because there might be a food processor or a stove but making cookies, a small nugget of sugary goodness, is so simple. So divinely simple…and fun. Simply simple. I’ve been invited annually to a cookie exchange party for the […]
Read MoreWhite Vegetables, White Christmas
Sunday, my normal farmers market day, I bought some sunchokes. It was the first time that I had seen the cute, horseradishy-looking tubers this season and I was a little excited about cooking them. They’re kind of like a potato in the kitchen. Once you wash the residual dirt off them, there is no need […]
Read MoreMaking a Pot of Vegetables and Meat: Stewing Between Holidays
There’s a period of time between the holidays, Thanksgiving to Christmas that are laden with maybe one to two parties a week. A lot of talk goes into what to eat and drink at these festive soirees. Fitness trainer and Biggest Loser’s Bob Harper says to “get one small plate and go to buffet once. […]
Read MoreHoliday Breakfasts: OUT and ABOUT
It’s the holidays. Families and friends come to visit but you don’t want to be married to the stove. You’ve taken a couple of days off during the week to enjoy that time. You have expensive dinner with a movie plans in the evening but don’t want to spend a lot of moola during the […]
Read MoreNo Cook Thanksgiving But If I Were…..
I stopped cooking Thanksgiving meals about 5 years ago. I know, I know. It’s one of the big days that all caliber of cooks want to shine showcasing their adeptness in the kitchen, commercial or home. If you know anything about me, cooking is one my favorite of the things. Therefore, you would think that […]
Read MoreBrews, Bread and Bumps in Life
Last night, I published a blog item. In it, I was profusely apologizing about my lack of posting for the past two weeks (to my two fans). Life became life and with dinners out, work (which sometimes is about going out), seeing friends, looking for new apartments with Holly (the pitbull), JJ (the Frenchie) and […]
Read MoreMeatless Monday Quickie: Herbed Ricotta, Leek and Swiss Chard Frittata
First, I really try and honor the commitments that I make to myself and friends. So on weekends when I should be writing and thinking about my food posts, I was out and about eating glorious (and not so glorious) food instead of cooking Plus, Nick and I are in the midst of looking for […]
Read MoreAnd The Beet Goes On…
Sadly, I didn’t have a good food childhood. Once my parents divorced, it was mostly canned stuff my mother (or I) prepared, since the only one who cooked was my father. My mother would make the occasional meatloaf, with packaged breadcrumbs and Heinz ketchup. That was pretty much it except for the holidays when all […]
Read MoreTo Brine or not Brine, That is The Question
If brining was all I had to think about I would be one very happy man. Unfortunately, it’s not, but brining (i.e cooking) makes me think of meats and seafood that are succulent and tasty. It does take a little forethought. The home-cook just has to think  in advance  about what they want to cook. […]
Read MorePantry Preferences: Plainly Preferred
As a home cook, I choose my recipes very carefully. I want them to be simple. I don’t need to have toasted fennel seeds, combined with homemade harissa, needing to stir the pot every 30 minutes to make sure the reduction is only reduced by a quarter. I’m sure most of us look at recipes […]
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