While my kitchen may be awash in various types of cookbooks, I rarely use them as intended. For me, they are more of a resource. I flip through the pages, linger over the fabulous photos, looking for inspiration rather than instruction — most days. However, this recipe that Ina Garten created is cake perfection. I followed the instructions… Continue reading
I wasn’t planning on sharing this recipe for Charred Broccoli Salad with you, because I wasn’t really in love with the picture. Dumb, I know! Charred brown foods are hard for me to capture, if I were a professional photographer, with all those big lights, and diffusers, and various other assorted pieces of equipment I can’t even… Continue reading
This year, I read many times that cauliflower is the new kale. Really? I am still trying to get on the kale bandwagon, I didn’t realize that there was a time limit to commit. Who would think the foodies so in need of a new vegetable to worship, would move on so quickly. Today, I… Continue reading
I know that I have mentioned a few times before, that there are few foods that I don’t like. And that really influences what I share here. Why would I spend the time and energy to cook and photograph something that I don’t particularly like, right?. Up until last week, it didn’t occur to me… Continue reading
Today, I run the risk of being predictable. Being half Irish, and with a last name of McDonough, how could I not share a Irish Soda Bread recipe? This one contains currants, which to The Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread would technically make it a tea cake, not a bona fide soda… Continue reading
Yesterday, we had heat issues. Why does that only happen in February when we are experiencing sub zero temperatures? As the thermostat dipped to 59 degrees, I dutifully sat here, in this icy cold house, waiting for the heat guy, when it occurred to me. I could bake something to warm up the house, well,… Continue reading
I remember my first forays into gluten free baking, they always included xanthan gum. Most of the info on the web back then, in my new gf cookbooks, heck, even in the recipes on the side panel of the bagged gluten free flours included it. I thought you couldn’t bake gluten free without it. Guess… Continue reading
Okay, I am not saying I need to post a ton of low calorie, yet filling recipes this month due to my over indulgengces in all manner of foodstuffs, sweets, and of course wine over the holidays. This Roasted Mushroom Soup with Shallots and Thyme could fit that bill though, however, it really doesn’t deserve to… Continue reading
If you are thinking that I spend a lot of time and energy planning what to post here, with folders of yes, maybe, and perhaps worth trying recipes, thank you. Really, it is just a fly by the seat of my pants kind of endeavor. Today in fact, I am sharing this fabulous recipe… Continue reading
I was on a bit of a eggplant kick this summer, made all sorts of salads with grilled eggplant, and only posted one. Not that I post everything we eat here, quite the opposite. You see, to get a good photograph of food, it takes a little bit of time, some fussing with the light,… Continue reading
While I would love to evoke the image of Enya music playing softly in the background, morning sun streaming through the windows, table beautifully set for a healthy breakfast. That’s not really what happens here early in am. More likely, it’s a mad dash to get something edible, and, yes healthy would be nice, into… Continue reading
Last week, one of my best friends went to NYC to visit her children attending college there, and I decided to whip up something for her to nosh on in the car. Cookies were my first thought, but, my friend is more of a cake or quick bread sort of gal, with fall upon us, and… Continue reading
Every summer, we seem to gravitate to one dish, a lot. This year, the winner was any form of a watermelon salad. Mainly because it pairs so well with BBQ’ed meats and fish. And any dish that is both sweet, salty and spicy always has my vote. And, I am the one cooking, we eat… Continue reading
Last week, I found myself out picking blueberries, in a field not less than 3 miles from my house. That field has been there the whole 22 years we have lived here, and I never even knew it existed before. How is that possible? It’s so cute, you drive up, collect your little quart or pint… Continue reading
We went to our first picnic last week, a sure sign that summer has finally arrived. I was put in charge of sides for the festivities. So tell me, do you consider desert a side? Or more in a category all of it’s own? Well, I wasn’t sure either, so at the last minute the… Continue reading
Yesterday, a rare occurence happened here. Bunny asked me to bake her some lemon squares. I love requests, she rarely asks for anything sweet, she is a salty crunchy girl that one. Give her a big old bag of chips, and she is in heaven. The boys, well, they are wired entirely different. Apple pie, cakes, crumbles,… Continue reading
I must admit I am a kitchen gadget junkie, drop me off at any Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, or heck, even a lowly bottom of the rung department store, and I can pick up something that I think might be useful in the kitchen. After making these Corn Black Bean Fritters, which were… Continue reading
Holidays always sneak up on me. I am so optimistic, I really think I can execute a fabulous dish, and post for you in a timely fashion (you know way before the actual holiday). Which would mean at least a day or two before, right? Sorry, rarely does that happen. However, today I had an… Continue reading
Lately, Bunny and I like to spend a little time after school watching cooking shows together. It’s a nice way for her to decompress, and for me, its precious alone time with her. At that time of day its Giada and Ina Garten, our absolute favorites. If they made something memorable, and when don’t they?… Continue reading
I have been wanting to share this recipe with you, since we visited the Galapagos last February. Not sure exactly why I never got around to it, perhaps it was the brutal winter we just experienced, cold marinated shrimp didn’t seem like the right fuel we needed for the endless shoveling. Now with brightened skies… Continue reading
I know that right now, I am not alone in wanting this %$#!! winter to end already. I am so done with big ugly warm boots, huge sweaters, hats, scarves and endlessly looking for the match to those really warm wool mittens. So here is some welcome relief: The first day of spring is in… Continue reading
