It was a pancake kind of day. Chilly, with the last vestiges of snow tucked into the deep recesses of shrubbery. Pancakes by a crackling fire, with hot tea, fresh citrus and bacon. Continue reading
Misconception number one regarding slow cookers : cooking aromas will not waft through the house as they do with food simmering in the conventional manner. Continue reading
Southerners know how to ring in the New Year with culinary good luck talismans : hoppin’ john ( a dish of stewed black eyed peas), greens and cornbread. The black eyed peas are said to symbolize coins, the greens represent paper money and the cornbread makes a good stand-in for gold. Lest you think we only care for financial stability while ringing in the new, congratulate us also on our good taste, as these dishes are delicious, filling and perfect for company and good cheer.
Two things come to mind when I hear the word succotash : my mother’s unorthodox addition of tomato to the mixture of fresh corn and lima beans (now my preferred preparation), and, naturally, Sylvester the cat.
When summer’s end robs us of vegetables that peaked earlier in the season, we can always count on eggplant as a farmer’s market lure with its high gloss and firm form. Its meatiness holds up well to grilling and it marries well with tart or sweet condiments, marinades and sauces.
The sweet scents of summer : freshly cut watermelon, peppery blossoms of abelia draping over my back yard fence, just-made pesto redolent of basil and garlic and the smoky aroma of steak on the grill. Continue reading
In the clear light of an early summer morning, just-picked local produce is pristine in appearance and calls forth the cook’s desire to improvise. What can be created from the bounty of tables and baskets overflowing with homegrown goodness?
Living less than two hours from the Atlantic coast, I take for granted the access to fresh seafood. Folks in America’s middle surely find seafood in their markets and on their plates, but coastal citizens have the privilege of enjoying seafood hours to a few days from harvest.
This statement has been drummed into your head since childhood :” Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. And, unlike other pronouncements, such as “If you cross your eyes, they will stay that way”, this one certainly rings true.
fresh Bombolini gluten free shells with kale apricot pesto
What I love about greens : kissed by the first frost of autumn, they are tender and flavorful; picked in springtime, they are equally tender and just as flavorful. Something else to love about greens ? Their versatility in the art of cooking.