 When I was a kid, my mom would make me whatever I wanted for Birthday Dinner. The only thing I ever remember asking for was fried flounder, egg noodles and peas & carrots. And for dessert, it was always Boston Cream Pie. As an adult, I’m continuing this tradition with my husband. I asked him Continue reading How to Make Birthday Cake  In an effort to remind you (and myself) that in cooking, there is no failure so great that you best not try at all. Hell, there’s always take out. Occasionally I like to send something sweet to my clients, potential clients, my accountant and/or lawyer, to remind them that I am here Continue reading Blondie Catastrophe  Back when I was a restless, pierced teen, I was fascinated by the cultural flux of the last century. I desperately wanted to have been a flapper. To have lived in the Roaring 20′s, with those hats and dresses and Art Deco broaches! Not to mention the speakeasies and that the homemade films that Continue reading How to Make Strawberry Jam  Sitting open in my web browser of choice for several days, since it arrived in my morning inbox, is an article titled “How to Customize the Swimsuit Ready Workout” from Oprah’s website. There’s a close up photo of one really toned ass cheek in a really cute bikini bottom facing what can only be Continue reading Milk Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Ice Cream  I had a bit of a personal revelation on the day I made ice cream, earlier this week. It wasn’t exactly an a-ha moment, but a one of pause. I had made the rhubarb pie, and wanted ice cream to go on top. Normal people would go to the store and buy a container of ice Continue reading How to Make Cardamom Ice Cream  I’m embracing my inner homemaker. Currently sandwiched between “freelance” and “consulting,” what I thought would be the ideal summer job, actually means having a whole lot of time on my hands and if I don’t use it wisely, I fret about being underemployed and ultimately living under a bridge. Instead, I’ve dusted off my Continue reading Rhubarb Pie, Lard Crust If you are feeling amorous this Valentine’s Day, consider an easy-to-prepare, romantic dinner for your lover, prepared at home for under $100. These are the recipes that I wrote for the Daily Connection and the cooking segment I shot will air on NBC in Washington D.C. at 3pm on Friday. Not in DC? That’s Continue reading Cooking with Aphrodisiacs at Home  The farmers markets are flush with apples these days and I just finished canning up some applesauce for gift-giving and the cold winter nights ahead. Here are some pictures and step-by-step instructions to put your own food by: Step 1: Make applesauce according to your, or your grandmother’s or Mark Bittman’s recipe. Acquire canning jars Continue reading Canning Applesauce 101 The farmer’s market cooking demos are winding down, as is the harvest season. Still there are piles of apples in boxes at most every table that are pristine and beautiful, waiting for someone talented to come make them into the perfect pie. Underneath those tables, or rolling around on my countertop if I got Continue reading Buttermilk Apple Fritters  This weekend was the Riverhead Country Fair, where I had a brush with fame many moons ago for winning “Best in Show” for these cookies. I reference this experience often, and as promised, I am posting the recipe in its original form. I wrote this when I was about 12. Also, before the recipe, Continue reading Prize-Winning Peanut Butter Pockets  Since launching the feedback survey, and promising some lucky winner cookies, I’ve been thinking I want a really good cookie. Now, I’m not much of a baker. Its true I won a prize as a kid for my Peanut Butter Pockets, but as a grown up, I have little patience for the measuring, the Continue reading Cookies today, cookies in a week or two.  Michael Pollan recently quoted Harry Balzer, food marketing researcher for NPD Group which studies American eating habits, in his article written for the New York Times Magazine. What the cynical Balzer said, and Mr. Pollan wrapped up the article was this quote: “Eat anything you want — just as long as you’re willing to Continue reading Peach, Nectarine & Blackberry Crisp  The original plan for the Tarrytown farmers market was to follow the recipe I had written a week before. This is the plan for all the Markets, actually, but one of the glories of shopping straight from a farm is that you never know what you’re going to get. I had a good idea Continue reading Sautéed Peaches with Pan-Roasted Walnuts  Continue reading Happy 4th of July!  Chocolate truffles have a decadent reputation, with good reason. For one, they are chocolate. The other main ingredient is heavy cream. Surprised? Here’s how you make them at home, for birthday presents, dinner parties, or cuz, you know, its Wednesday! Chocolate Truffles Continue reading How to Make Chocolate Truffles, Fill a Pastry Bag, & Temper Chocolate A how-to resulting in homemade mint ice cream! Continue reading Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Week one of culinary school down and week two has begun! I have passed through all the stuff I already know how to do and am into the actually learning part – that didn’t take long! Here’s a story: When I was a kid, like any brainy kid, I not only was excited to be Continue reading Week 2 Thrills & Blues  |
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