No secret, I unabashedly adore Italian cuisine – I can’t wait to eat my way through to Italy again one day. Also, I have already pre-planned my earthly exit to include a week-long rager of olive oil, garlic, cheese and pasta. Wine will be served.
Category Archives: Test Kitchen Adventures
episode vi: return of the Sous Chef
…and with him came a week of favorites in my kitchen. Most of the time it’s all me in the kitchen from start to finish. But every time a college break rolls around, my little sous chef jumps right back in and the kitchen dynamics change in the most wonderful way. Sous Chef is amenableContinue reading “episode vi: return of the Sous Chef”
pancakes for indulgence & redemption…
…an observation about vacation and recovery. It should come as no surprise that we have struggled through a silent pancake war in this family for over 25 years. I’m not sure why I’m fascinated with thick, fluffy, giant pancakes but it’s become one of those sacred, emblematic, Norman Rockwell, family meals. However, some people likeContinue reading “pancakes for indulgence & redemption…”
the humble, fickle cacio e pepe…
…3rd (or 30th) time’s the charm! For months, making one of Rome’s signature pasta dishes was elusive for me – Cacio e Pepe can be complicated beyond its station. With only a few simple ingredients – pepper, butter, pasta and a handful of both Parmesan and Pecorino cheese, why was it such a challenge? AfterContinue reading “the humble, fickle cacio e pepe…”
ambitious feasting…
…celebrating 3 spring holidays with a teensy bit of creative license. Let’s start with the premise that there is a big difference between honoring a holiday and observing one. That said, over the long weekend I set out to cook two feasts for two holidays for two religions. Somehow I ended up with three –Continue reading “ambitious feasting…”
cooking for fun & revenge…
Obviously I didn’t name my blog Cooking for Fun & Revenge, although in effect that’s what I had been doing for a year. I say “revenge” with a wink and a nod – creative spite is a better phrase because karma does not need my help.
leftovers: sin or salvation?
…a heartfelt defense of the well-thawed. Leftovers get a bad rap. They are unfairly maligned for being by-products of thrift, laziness and indifference. The very mention of the word can evoke universal disappointment and even disgust. We have all experienced leftover fails, especially with food that wasn’t really that great the first time around. NeitherContinue reading “leftovers: sin or salvation?”
don’t move in on my beef…
…I’m talking to you, Food & Wine. I really love to drive. Every afternoon during the spring and summer of 2020 I would hop in my car, blast some tunes and blaze a trail north. The freedom was only ever temporary, so I’d turn around after about 15 miles and sulk back to lockdown. WhenContinue reading “don’t move in on my beef…”
my cooking (in)experience can be hilarious…
….and like everything else in my life, I know just enough to be dangerous. I burned the sh** out of some lamb chops last week. It was really quite something – there I was thinking ill of no one when all at once the cat escaped off the deck through my legs, the grill eruptedContinue reading “my cooking (in)experience can be hilarious…”
this little piggy went to market…
…we aren’t talking about pork – it’s me. I’m the piggy and I went to the farmers market. For years I tried unsuccessfully to make Chinese stir-fry at home. They weren’t yucky, but they were utterly forgettable. I’ve already addressed the wok issue, but even the finest carbon steel would not have saved me. MyContinue reading “this little piggy went to market…”
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