I have always gotten a little kick out of the word "serendipity" but been hard pressed to use it or recall many truly serendipitous moments in my life. Saturday I believe, gave me a little taste for its real meaning. I awoke at about 5:50 and, not wanting to wake Ryan, got up and had coffee, scanned the newspaper and left the hotel for the usual morning walk up to the University. Normally, I am with my husband who likes to recount his own … [Read more...]
Recipe for a Perfect Day
Today could make it to the top 10 of days of the year. Two things make it this way - First, it is 7:12 am and the sun is shining, the air is crisp and the view outside my kitchen is glorious. Lots of things in my garden are about to bloom - the peonies, the roses mostly. This is such an encouragement. My window boxes are ready for an update and this will be a good project for next week. Their earliest planting of ranunculus, pansies, mint and … [Read more...]
Bearded Iris, An Impromtu Visit to Balthazar Bakery
There - that's better - a shot outside my kitchen door this morning! Big difference from yesterday! One of my favorite plants of Spring is the bearded iris. I think of them as delicate yet regal. When I was young, my Dad admired them too and he kept them in our yard in a range of shades of lavender/lilac/violet. He really focused on vegetable gardening and the design of the garden as opposed to flower gardens, per se. I do … [Read more...]
Heart and Soul of a Baker, Crabmeat Frittata
Today is my maternal grandmother, Antonina (Minnie) Butera Gallipoli's birthday. "Nonnie" was a formidable woman - you didn't mess around with her! She could be stern, there was no denying her intelligence, she was a very good cook and she made a great loaf of bread, nothing fancy, just great. I can see her in her heather grey and blue plaid woolen skirt and a blouse. She died when she was 93 years old. For many reasons I can only hope to … [Read more...]
I Really Don’t Want Clouds At All……Sorry, Joni
I am a big fan of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins and Joan Baez. This was just about as crazy as I got in my teenage years. Not too exciting, but the music was totally great. I thought of Joni Mitchell this morning and felt I should re-work a little of her lyrics. Cumulus are ok, I guess. Well, needless to say, the weather has been crossed off my list when it comes to inspiration-providing criteria again for this week. Just in case you have … [Read more...]
Food Media and Why I love Julia Child
Here are two pictures from my yard - the rose was taken on Friday when the approximately ONE hour of sun was out. The stock and petunias shot was taken a couple of weeks ago when I put them in a planter. I love stock and its lovely fragrance. A few years back we used this very effectively in wedding centerpieces, in special order Guy Wolff pots, for a family wedding at our home in Orleans, MA. Today I am off to the Farm in Green Village to … [Read more...]
Tradition, Sentiment and Innovation in the Kitchen Plus Yearning for 350 Days of Sunshine
What are the origins of a recipe? What makes it adaptable, what makes it untouchable? What generates that energy in the kitchen to experiment and innovate? Yesterday, I was editing my post and rambling on about (actually making excuses for) using canned cherries in my Mom's Cherry Pie. I was thinking about how canned foods are basically "poo-pooed" for the most part these days and got to thinking about alternate cherry sources. I have made … [Read more...]
Raspberry-Cherry Pie, Mom and Ina
This recipe gives me occasion to rave about two of my very favorite cooks and bakers of all time - my Mom and Ina Garten. I could, and will go on about the influence of my Mom on my life in the kitchen as this blog continues, but suffice it to say she ignited my passion for cooking and baking when I was very young. My earliest memories of baking with her involve making copious dozens of cookies at Christmas-time in her small kitchen. The … [Read more...]
Dinner for One
I was home alone for dinner last night and I didn't get into the house until about 7:15. I wanted something flavorful, satisfying and healthy. I stopped at Whole Foods on the way home and this is what I made. It really came out quite well. I thought I'd share it with you. It took me all of about 20 minutes from start to finish. Note to my culinary school friends - I'd get an F for plating on this, right?! Have to work on my photography. I … [Read more...]
When life gives you…Meyer Lemons
I love the fragrance of Meyer Lemons. They strike me as kind of "tangeriny" if you will. In the wine world I believe you'd say "notes of tangerine". So, whenever I see a recipe which features them, I focus in. A couple of weeks ago I found a recipe on a site called "Foodness Gracious" for Meyer Lemon-Blackberry Scones. I immediately saved it and waited for a moment to try them. I am also a big fan of blackberries. I like their size, think … [Read more...]