Here's a tip for you today. Slice a meyer lemon in half and set it aside your work space. Even though I have a terrible cold right now, I can still smell that unmistakable delicate floral fragrance. It's so soothing and comforting as it perfumes the air - I should make myself a mint and meyer lemon tea…….. fresh mint and a slice of meyer lemon We've all been in the grocery store when someone comes on the intercom system and calls for a … [Read more...]
Of Cabbages and Kings: World History in the Donna Reed-Era and The Legacy of Irish Food
Land of Cabbages and Kings (will denote sourcing) photo courtesy pinterest - source unknown Field, Stream, Ocean and the potager…………….. Today I'm going to borrow a famous phrase from Lewis Carroll's The Walrus and the Carpenter - that being "Of Cabbages and Kings". These four words just seem to fit in my mind's eye, the subject of today's post - the land, the heritage, bounty and the beauty that is Ireland. While it is a fact that … [Read more...]
And the Award Goes To: The “Bring-Spring Early” Award and The Blood Orange-Rosewater Cake
The "Bring-Spring-Early" Award Winner - better than any Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, SAG - well, you know………. (photo courtesy the Washington Post) According to popular opinion and the omnipresent media, the award season is rightly over. But, here at my house, not only is it not over, but we've saved the best for last. This is a week for just plain saying thank you - to Herr Groundhog, signature omen of February in my poem, Months circa 1987 (but, … [Read more...]
Heart of a Peasant, Soul of a Wanderer, Mind of an Inquisitor – The Gluten-Free Zucchini, Eggplant and Chicken Lasagna
aubergine and green There's no doubt these days that I yearn to identify with the ancestors of my 4 grandparents. When I wake up in the morning, I instantly begin my wanderings - in the realm of food, travel, and "want to know" this, that and just about every other thing. My profile description, should I wish to try to write it, would be as the "heart of a peasant, the soul of a wanderer and the mind of an inquisitor". In this vein, I … [Read more...]
The Wonderful World of Under-appreciated Mangoes – The Mango and Rosewater Cake
stockpiling mangoes Before I begin dreaming of Rhubarb and early Strawberries……... When you stroll along in the produce department of your grocery store you see a wide array of fruit offerings. At this time of year there are usually several varieties of apples, a handful of different pears, grapes, citrus, the requisite collection of berries from afar, etc. Then you'll usually find a smaller area devoted to the tropical fruits. … [Read more...]
With Little Signs of Printemps: The Pear and Rose Water Cake
Happy First Day of March to one and all! I'm getting just a little giddy these days! I actually have "The hills are alive with the sound of music" floating joyfully around in my head right now. I know I may be a little ahead of myself but, what the heck? Spring is definitely in the air! I actually spotted some tiny sprouts of peonies (see above bottom - the little red dots!) this morning when I was walking the dog. Jeepers - this was … [Read more...]
Sugar and Salt: Accentuating Flavor and A Lesson From Wine Connoisseurs – Are We Too Conditioned by Sweet and Salty?
swoon-provoking Finesse may just be one of the most very important skills of a chef, home cook or baker…... I'm no stranger to sweet and salty. Let me just admit that perhaps nothing sends me off into a heady swoon more than a scant teaspoonful of this Welsh Heather Honey that I discovered at Fortnum and Mason a few Januarys ago. (if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I have written about it here before). To this day, just … [Read more...]
Common Thread – The Indelible Pyschic Mark of Bakers and Bakeries
in the ICE kitchen; bread mod As we travel through our days and years we find there are common threads among us and, we attach ourselves to characters who share various loves and winsome urges to make things, be they simple or grand, the origins of which are written perhaps in the very DNA sent to us from some powerful, knowing energy and meant to urge us to express them onto the unsuspecting but appreciative landscape….... at … [Read more...]
Fruit, Nut, Veggie: Extra-Care Packages – Gluten-Free “Oh Happy Day” Muffins
I'm happy with this crumb! People often leave my house with goodie bags courtesy of my baking binges. I always feel badly when the treats aren't GF and there's someone in their house who's gluten-intolerant. They get short changed. Can you imagine someone walking in the door with a box of goodies only to find out you can't have any? So, today I made an extra-care package - these are for a friend whose son has celiac disease. I'm … [Read more...]
Like Snowflakes, No Two are Exactly Alike – The Incomparable Jewels that are Blood Oranges – Blood Orange Marmalade with Ginger and Thyme
This project is a feast for the eyes, nose and soul. While the weather outside does its crazy thing, I'm in the kitchen, stirring my cauldron of bubbling magic! I fully realize that sounds like I'm a bit of a witch of sorts. So, yes, while the brewing weather is doing its weird thing - I'm taking advantage. Well, you all know I've been occupying myself by playing around with my stash of Blood Oranges. There was a sale at Whole Foods … [Read more...]
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