6th Ave. I had errands to do in the city on Monday. It was really a great day for late November. The sun was shining and the air was warm enough to walk around happily. I made it to midtown without too much trouble and parked my car. Often, it takes me as long to navigate to midtown or uptown as it does to get from my house into the city. Oh well, it's always worth it. Over the past several years, I've become fascinated with the … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2016
A Gift of Twenty-Five Recipes
26F this am at my house - I didn't expect that - time to shift gears, I guess Do you ever walk around your house in the early light at this time of year and think that you smell fresh pine - when there isn't any in the house yet? I do. Call me crazy. I was at the Farmer's Market at Union Square on Saturday and the smell of fresh pine was so lovely......... Time to prepare, right? Last night I was discussing cookie recipes with a friend. … [Read more...]
“Got Time for Tea, I Should Think” – Torta al Bianco d’Uovo with Meyer Lemon
"Got time for tea, I should think." Felicity Spurway (prize goes to whoever knows the movie and to whom this line was delivered.) I don't know about you, but if you're anything like me, your tired of the whole turkey dinner thing by now. I'm ready to move on and think about new and much lighter fare for awhile. If and when the real cold sets in, which it isn't right now, I'll readjust again. For today, I wanted something light and easy - … [Read more...]
Not: All Washed Up
Inspirational: Ok, I admit, morning is not a time to provoke me. Here are a couple of items to ponder as I did early this morning. It all began with my Facebook feed, where I stumbled upon the following article from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/25/over-50s-new-career-teacher?CMP=fb In the Guardian article, I read the following and could immediately feel the hair on the back of my neck stand … [Read more...]
Dough: Diary of an Obsessive Baker
I awoke at 4:30 yesterday morning. Actually, it was earlier, but I forced myself to squeeze my eyes shut until 4:30. Then, I knew there was no hope for sleeping until 6, my usual target "up" time. I took the dog out and as I padded out with her I heard my dear Mom say, "nobody here but us chickens" and, as always, a pang of deep sadness stretched its tentacles out within me. There was nobody like my Mom. And, especially on holidays, I miss … [Read more...]
Divertimento – A Musical Approach to Enjoy Being the Cook – Sweet Potato Coffee Cake with Pears, Pecans and Cardamom
my Brioche Coffee Cake with Pears, Pecans and Cardamom from Intermezzo Magazine - Issue 38 live version 11/23/16 This is the time of year when I always turn off the news stations in my car and dial onto the Classical music stations. I still keep a collection of my favorite CDs there, too. I know. This is such an outdated approach to listening to music, but that's just where I remain. I find the music not only soothing but uplifting, … [Read more...]
Around the Bird in Eighty Ways – Why I Don’t Spend the Whole Week Making Gravy
photo - archives You have to hand it to Americans. We've parlayed a bland, rather homely and not all that intelligent bird into the centerpiece of our Country's biggest food event of the year. It's quite amazing, really. Setting aside religious celebrations the world over, ingredient-driven festivals have been commonplace for centuries in just about all cultures. I find this fascinating. I can definitely relate that it's really a human … [Read more...]
Bake These, No Seriously – The Spice Cookie with Cocoa and Bourbon
NJ November 16 I'm back in my own kitchen in NJ and it's time to get going. Today, I really started with an idea for a corn and cranberry soufflé-looking creation but then I got to reading Dorie Greenspan's new Cookie book. Is it ever too early to start Cookie season? I know full well that next week is Thanksgiving and I should be focusing on that, but today I went off in another direction. I've been craving gingersnap cookies for … [Read more...]
That Was the Week That Was – Some Soothing Ingredient-Driven Gestures for Thanksgiving
David Frost circa 2005 Sunday is the beginning of a new week, right? Couldn't come fast enough. That Was the Week That Was - Whew you said it! Who remembers this? I know, I keep tipping my hand at my age and keep on reverting to music, memories and words from the 1960s. Some day, I'll figure out what that means. Perhaps it's just normal to consistently revert to that period in your life when the foundation was just building up, things … [Read more...]
Honey Bun Runs the Race – The Honey Bun Scone with Goat Cheese and Lavender
Today is a glorious day for the NYC Marathon. And, my daughter, Christin is running in it for the first time for the Robin Hood Foundation. We're all very proud of her determination, training and effort. Go Christin! Christin, who I affectionately called "Honey Bun" when she was little (among other things, like Bunny-Bun) loves the Lavender Goat Cheese from the Union Square Farmer's Market. I thought I'd make her a scone to eat when she … [Read more...]