I enjoy preserving Stoic’s garden bounty (along with that of the Lynn St. Clair Orchard in Taylorsville) because it makes me feel like a good steward and because — of everything going on in my life — it’s the only process with a beginning, middle and end. I can actually see what I’ve accomplished, usually… Continue reading Why I can (and freeze and pickle)
Best bean salad ever — sweet corn’s the secret
For as long as beans have been in my life, I’ve eaten bean salad. My mother made it with canned beans and bottled Italian dressing. Stoic’s mother made a big batch once when she and his father were leaving town on a trip, and Stoic ended up ice skating on bean salad after he dropped… Continue reading Best bean salad ever — sweet corn’s the secret
Out of breath, hungry and Spring Pesto Dip
You could take away any of my many subscriptions before I’d let you touch my contract with The New Yorker. I pay a lot of money so they can deliver the world to my mailbox most weeks of the year. This is unlike our local newspaper whose mission, evidently, is to spotlight one overweight old… Continue reading Out of breath, hungry and Spring Pesto Dip
Fast food, no, REALLY fast!
People who sew will tell you the finished garment depends on how good a job you do cutting out your fabric. This person who cooks will tell you the way you eat depends on how well you shop. Have boneless skinless chicken thighs and snow pea pods in the freezer or fridge for this easy… Continue reading Fast food, no, REALLY fast!
“Sensory strobe light” from a simple soup
When I read a food article like Helen Rosner’s “The Female Chef Making Japan’s Most Elaborate Cuisine Her Own,” (from which I swiped “sensory strobe light”), I think I’m not trying hard enough. Very few exotic ingredients, so little “plating,” so much grabbing and going. But then I realize we’re lucky enough to eat really… Continue reading “Sensory strobe light” from a simple soup
A brilliant quiche
I’ve been doing a little wine reading lately, and a word that keeps popping up is “brilliant.” It doesn’t relate to intellect but to surprise and fortuitousness and spark, to something that is just immediately right on the taste buds. That would be this Quiche from the December (and final) issue of Cooking Light magazine.… Continue reading A brilliant quiche
Two cooks are not too many; curried chicken and cauliflower
I went back to work half-time at the end of May (with a 6 to 8 hour weekly commute) and did not foresee this benefit: Stoic the Vast has vastly expanded his cooking repertoire. He’s baked a toothsome whole wheat-oat bread for years and, likewise, always been in charge of fluffy omelets with sautéed peppers… Continue reading Two cooks are not too many; curried chicken and cauliflower
For Pat, Part II or Fear of Fish
Several years ago a friend and I agreed that we almost always order fish in nice restaurants but are just as likely not to cook it at home. We’re both good cooks who cook a lot. Why isn’t this the easiest thing in the world? I can whip up a quick tuna salad (you should… Continue reading For Pat, Part II or Fear of Fish
For Pat — what I did with the Christmas smoked scallops
I usually credit whatever web site I find a recipe on, but I missed that this time, also changed a few things like amount of liquid. Recipe called for 2 cups baby arugula but there was not a leaf available in Mocksville so I substituted 2 cups chopped baby spinach, and it was just fine.… Continue reading For Pat — what I did with the Christmas smoked scallops
There’s always a death at Christmas
Of course, death is always with us in vast quantities that we can only imagine when we can’t sleep at night. But the ones that have gobsmacked me at holiday time started with a Shakespeare seminar classmate in college. I didn’t know him well, but when he disappeared over Christmas break in a small plane… Continue reading There’s always a death at Christmas
