certifiably amazing Welcome to extreme alliteration - inspired by Peonies! Ok, so I'm certifiably insane this morning over these peonies - I admit it! But, yes, I do feel completely compelled to capture the amazing beauty that is literally unfolding before my eyes on this exquisite Spring morning! To me, it would be a shame not to do so! If this is not cause for celebration, well, I don't know what is. And, I am indeed thankful for the … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2014
The Color Purple
It's Iris Season! By now, you can tell I have an obsession with these flowers. I particularly love this photo. My Dad loved Iris and other purple flowers. I guess I got this from him. I adore the intricate beauty and lovely, soft and alluring fragrance of these elusive, short-lived beauties. On days like today and at this time of year I love to go outside early in the morning to see what has changed since yesterday -and to just enjoy … [Read more...]
A Poignant Quote from Maya Angelou; Waiting for Fresh-Picked Peaches from Frog Hollow Farm – the Peach Melba Scone
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you" Maya Angelou Thank you, Maya Angelou - I always wonder why people wait until someone dies to gush all over about them. Not that this was the case with Maya Angelou who was immensely popular and valued in her lifetime. But, yesterday and today, everyone is indeed creating an extraordinary profile in the media of the poet who died yesterday. I wonder how she would have felt … [Read more...]
Floating Aromas: My Dad, Michele and Ryan; Working on a High-Top Raspberry-Orange Muffin
the Dricoll Raspberry Yesterday, I felt obligated to print a retraction to my comment in the post entitled, "To Market, to Market, " (https://www.kitchen-inspirational.com/2014/05/26/economies-scale-supermarkets-control-eat/ ) where I dissed Driscoll's and the supermarket industry for not offering more than one variety of a produce item in their stores. (Yes, I do have issues with Driscoll's.) But, that is a post for another day. Of course, … [Read more...]
Sausage and Peppers on the Grill; My Easy Dinner for Memorial Day
I had a happy interlude at the Broadway Panhandler on Saturday. I was all alone and no one was rushing me along, as they always do. I bought myself a new 15" cast iron skillet, that weighs a ton, even when it's empty. I bought it for making and serving dinners at the Cape - like roasting lobsters, making paella on the grill and, as in the case of tonight's dinner, Sausage and Peppers. I figure I can feed more than a few people with this pan - … [Read more...]
To Market, To Market To Buy a Fat Pig; What Forces Determine the Food Available to You?
Winston at Melick's Town Farm - don't worry, no one is going to take you "to market" "to market, to market to buy a fat pig home again home again jigety-jig" Nursery Rhyme Circa 1598 Well, what a poignant memory, memorializing in rhyme all the way back in 1598, the chore or joy, depending on your perspective, we indulge in, day-in and day-out - that omnipresent trip to procure our groceries, to feed ourselves, our family and … [Read more...]
Looking for Strawberries in All the Wrong Places – Rhubarb Compote with Sliced Strawberries from Pichet Ong
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT - STRAWBERRIES COME INTO MARKET RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE AND I MISSED THEM!!!!! Well, after I ventured into Union Square yesterday hoping to find some South Jersey Strawberries, I found these right around the corner this morning! this recipe comes from The New Greenmarket Cookbook by Gabrielle Langholtz - THE new cookbook of the NYC Greenmarket - aka Union Square et al!!!! Check it out - some great … [Read more...]
Glorious Hues – The Rhubarb and Ginger Morning Cake
I think this is my favorite picture of the Spring so far! the glorious hue of fresh Rhubarb Syrup! - useful in a cocktail? One of the things I marvel at during these months of the growing season is the glorious hue to be seen in the many fruits of the garden. Last year I oogled over my Rose Petal Syrup - https://www.kitchen-inspirational.com/2013/06/05/harvesting-rose-petals-for-syrup-and-ice-cream/ for weeks. Today, it is the glorious … [Read more...]
Just Warming Up – Bacon, Basil and Tomato Scones with Comté
Is it possible that tomorrow is the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend? How on earth did that happen? It's been a long week since my last post. Much has happened - graduation, birthday, moving out, moving in, laundry, sorting, storing, planning the next moves…….. I literally just unpacked my suitcase from Sunday this morning - ugh. All through it all, I kept thinking about baking. This morning, with the cupboards nearly bare, I made a … [Read more...]
An American in Paris – An Evening with David Lebovitz at the 92Y
Last night I got the chance to spend an evening with David Lebovitz. I had looked forward to this for a long time. The venue was scheduled to be the 92 Y, that hotbed of wonderful speaker-dom in NY, but was moved to the Nightingale School, nearby. This didn't matter. I was more than curious to see him and hear what he had to say. I'd say the room was packed with some 400+ "fans". I have often wondered what it is really like to go on a … [Read more...]