It really began in Paris……. Although it may be more than a bit unwise to use the words suffer and chocolate in the same title, -today's food section in the NYT unleashed the following story: My mind works in a mysteriously clogged quagmire of remembrances and, today I will get to my story in a rather roundabout way. Years and years ago, when I worked in corporate America, I was known to annoy the daylights out of one of my luncheon … [Read more...]
Of Easy Wind and Downy Flake – What Snow Days are Made For – Blueberry-Corn Muffins with Ricotta and a Fire in the Hearth
early this morning….. Well, we got our little snowstorm now, didn't we? All those who have been anxiously awaiting a big hit have gotten their wish. It's also a good day to thank Robert Frost, once again for those lovely words, "of easy wind and downy flake." Only today's episode doesn't seem to be of "easy" wind. I did some basic planning yesterday, finishing up my next article for Intermezzo and stopping in at the grocery store to … [Read more...]
Lottery Fever – What Would You Do?
Perhaps there is a little more to lottery fever than meets the eye……….. On Sunday night we had a family dinner in the West Village. Inspired by the burgeoning lottery prize for the Powerball to record proportions, we jovially went around the table and said what we would do if we ever won. It was an interesting exercise. I was especially curious to see what my kids would say. I got to wondering - was there a message here? Now, of course, … [Read more...]
Cooking with Color; Chicken with Meyer Lemon and Blood Oranges
Just in case you never noticed it, this is indeed a seasonal blog. There is one common theme that runs among all posts - I am a silly and giddy person during the months when the sun is shining and I can go outside sans coat and indulge myself with beautiful blossoms, birds, butterflies and bees, and I turn into another kind of person (did someone say cranky, impatient?) during the months when the glorious gifts of nature retreat into their … [Read more...]
Bitter + Sweet; Orange Obsession – The Orange-Almond Scone with Dark Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans
Sunday Morning Dilemma - "to glaze or not to glaze, that is the question" (I had this little "discussion" with one of my favorite mentors yesterday.) Today is a good day for baking something and returning to bed with a treat and the Sunday NYT! Bitter + Sweet - ahhh, the combination is such an intriguing invitation in the pastry kitchen, as so many opposites are……… You could write an entire book about it now, couldn't you? One of my … [Read more...]
Divine Inspiration; Gluten-Free Chestnut/Coconut Pancakes with Blueberries
Gluten-Free Well, you know I have been trying to pay a little tribute in my own way to Gina De Palma since her passing last week. I'm basically doing this by re-reading her book and Mario Battali's Babbo Cookbook for which she wrote the Dolci chapter. Here I'm learning all about her love of the Italian tradition and love of cooking with chestnuts. I've been busy cooking with chestnut flour and chestnut honey. In the Babbo cookbook you … [Read more...]
Mystical-Magical, Tingles-on-Your-Tongue Honey; Lemon-Corn Scones with Chestnut Honey
I'm convinced honey is alive! Read on……... You know me, I am absolutely obsessed with the bees and their honey! This Fall I mistakenly killed a honey bee in my yard and it took me several hours to get over it - I kid you not. You may be thinking as you read this that I really do need to get a life here, but in all honesty, every single honey bee is worth protecting! These creatures, along with butterflies and hummingbirds are constant … [Read more...]
Eataly and The Blood Orange Christmas Morning Cake
Well here we are - 2016 - a whole New Year of opportunities - in the kitchen, in the garden and near and far! my little crop of hellebores this morning On Wednesday, I made a stop at Eataly and picked up yet another bag of blood oranges. There is such a wonderful array of winter citrus in the markets right now and we should really take advantage of it! I spent a full minute luxuriating over a basketful of kumquats and sadly passed … [Read more...]
My Wish for 2016 – A Healthy Appetite and A Full Plate
lunch on L'isle Sur la Sorgue my own kitchen, a spiced-plum galette with strawberry ice cream Yesterday, when I awoke and read that Gina De Palma had passed away after her long battle with ovarian cancer I felt a very strong sadness come over me. I had met her only once, when she did a rec class at ICE many years ago, back when I was still considering going to Pastry School. I had read about her battle occasionally over the years and had … [Read more...]
Prelude: Behold, I Bring You Tidings of Sweet Joy; The Case for Pictures
photo courtesy Box of Spice Some days your own recipe ideas are ok - some days, those of others just are so much better! Let it be known that I am on record of being a huge proponent of including a finished photo in a recipe, especially one such as the second one in this post. I have never been one to understand a cookbook without photos. Number two pet peeve is when photos are assembled in a group away from the recipes. For me, … [Read more...]
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