My favorite thrift store find of the day.
Jan 20, 2010
Jan 14, 2010
Cooking with Help
In my opinion, cooking was never meant to be a solitary activity. Yes, it's good for the occasional moment of quite time, but the best meals are always a collaboration.
This weekend I had the pleasure of trying a new popover recipe with 2 of the most enthusiastic soux chefs I've ever had the pleasure of working with. These little guys not only measured and stirred with the best of them. They also kept a very close eye on the "popping process."
(See? Kids really can survive without a TV)
Kids are excellent reminders of what cooking should be; messy, creative, and most of all, fun.
Local ingredients in the popovers:
This weekend I had the pleasure of trying a new popover recipe with 2 of the most enthusiastic soux chefs I've ever had the pleasure of working with. These little guys not only measured and stirred with the best of them. They also kept a very close eye on the "popping process."
(See? Kids really can survive without a TV)Kids are excellent reminders of what cooking should be; messy, creative, and most of all, fun.
Local ingredients in the popovers:
- flour
- eggs
- butter
- milk
Jan 5, 2010
My Resolution
Happy New Year!!
This year, my boyfriend and I made a joint resolution. We committed to learning 1 new recipe each week. Although I love to cook, we all need that occasional push outside of our culinary comfort zones. I'll be posting some of my success stories here, along with where I found the recipe and a list of the ingredients I was able to obtain from local sources.
We started off with polenta pie from Mollie Kazten's Moosewood Cookbook (a much loved Christmas present).
(It looked and tasted better than the picture suggests)
This was a great winter recipe because the filling can be adapted to include whatever vegetables and herbs we have available at the time. My boyfriend and I used onions, swiss chard, tomato sauce and garlic. We were very happy with this recipe, but I'll make a few changes next time. I'll use a thinner polenta crust and add a little more seasoning to it.
Local ingredients:
This year, my boyfriend and I made a joint resolution. We committed to learning 1 new recipe each week. Although I love to cook, we all need that occasional push outside of our culinary comfort zones. I'll be posting some of my success stories here, along with where I found the recipe and a list of the ingredients I was able to obtain from local sources.
We started off with polenta pie from Mollie Kazten's Moosewood Cookbook (a much loved Christmas present).
(It looked and tasted better than the picture suggests)
This was a great winter recipe because the filling can be adapted to include whatever vegetables and herbs we have available at the time. My boyfriend and I used onions, swiss chard, tomato sauce and garlic. We were very happy with this recipe, but I'll make a few changes next time. I'll use a thinner polenta crust and add a little more seasoning to it.
Local ingredients:
- cornmeal
- onion
- garlic
- swiss chard
- cheese
- tomato sauce
Dec 29, 2009
Mimi's Gift
My grandma Mimi passed away when I was 7. I have scattered memories of her from my childhood - making me sandwiches in her kitchen, playing "the counting game" with my little sister, decorating her screen door with seashells we found on trips to the beach. Though my family cherishes these little memories, it's been a long time since we've received anything tangible that connects us to her.
But on Christmas eve, we opened a large package from my aunt. Inside was a tangled mass of yarn scraps and half used skeins, along with a note explaining that this was Mimi's knitting stash. We were in awe.
We quickly decided that this yarn could not be used for just any project, but needed to be saved for something meaningful. After some deliberation, we decided to use all the scraps for a very colorful Christmas tree garland. I spent Christmas eve and day slowly knitting a very long I-cord that will adorn our tree in years to come.
Little by little, memories of Mimi are working their way back into the present. We're all very grateful for that.
But on Christmas eve, we opened a large package from my aunt. Inside was a tangled mass of yarn scraps and half used skeins, along with a note explaining that this was Mimi's knitting stash. We were in awe.
We quickly decided that this yarn could not be used for just any project, but needed to be saved for something meaningful. After some deliberation, we decided to use all the scraps for a very colorful Christmas tree garland. I spent Christmas eve and day slowly knitting a very long I-cord that will adorn our tree in years to come.
Little by little, memories of Mimi are working their way back into the present. We're all very grateful for that.
Dec 28, 2009
Traditions
I think my favorite part of Christmas is the traditions. I like the rhythm of performing all the same little rituals year after year. For my family, Christmas means new pajamas, eating our grandmother's stuffing, and a screening of old home videos.
The youngest member of my immediate family will turn 20 this year. We're all well past the age where Christmas revolves around Santa. But regardless, our Christmas eve still ends with a plate of cookies and a handwritten note reminding St. Nick that we've all been (relatively) good this year.
Some traditions deserve to last well past the point where they make sense. At our house, any break in tradition is usually met with a moderate amount of panic and protest, and with good reason. These little rituals make my parent's house feel like our home again, even though it's been years since any kids lived there. They make a group of people now scattered across the country feel like a family. These traditions and the memories they invoke serve as little reminders of all the history that ties us together. They're worth celebrating.
The youngest member of my immediate family will turn 20 this year. We're all well past the age where Christmas revolves around Santa. But regardless, our Christmas eve still ends with a plate of cookies and a handwritten note reminding St. Nick that we've all been (relatively) good this year.
Some traditions deserve to last well past the point where they make sense. At our house, any break in tradition is usually met with a moderate amount of panic and protest, and with good reason. These little rituals make my parent's house feel like our home again, even though it's been years since any kids lived there. They make a group of people now scattered across the country feel like a family. These traditions and the memories they invoke serve as little reminders of all the history that ties us together. They're worth celebrating.
Happy Holidays
I realize it's December 28, but the holiday spirit is still alive and well here, so forgive me if the next few posts seem a little belated.
Dec 22, 2009
Solstice
Despite my solemn promise not to leave the apartment yesterday, by mid afternoon, I couldn't resist any longer. I needed to take advantage of the reasonably good weather and take a walk through central park.
When I walked outside, I was completely taken aback by what I saw. The streets were nearly empty, and for a few hours, the city looked clean. Quiet. Still.
Personally, I don't mind New York when it's a little bit gritty (in a way, the dirt is part of its charm). But I have to admit, this city is a different place when it's blanketed in snow. All of those easily overlooked details seem to demand the attention they deserve.
This little snowstorm was a perfect start to the Winter Solstice. Already, my world seems brighter and more at peace.
Happy Solstice.
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