Bagna Cauda

This is a great dip that needs to be served warm. For those of you who are scared of anchovies, think of of them as an umame delivery system. This is really about an intense, salty savoriness. As I said before, it goes well with bitter vegetables like endive, cauliflower and frisee. [...]

Pavlova – Two Ways (or Damn you Barefoot Contessa!)

It’s been intimated that J and I have some eating restrictions, me with the diabetes and J with dairy allergies as well as an allergy to artificial sweeteners.  That makes dessert a huge challenge.  I’ve resolved this challenge by making the same desserts two ways – one with Splenda and dairy (for me) and the [...]

Meaty!

Dear Scotte:
You are a genius.  Full stop.  This week, the in-laws were in town to help us do the finishing touches on our move.  After a Saturday night dinner at B that was four courses of spectacular, we wanted to eat at home on Sunday.  We had a fairly lazy Sunday, just doing errands – [...]

The Challenge – Halfway Through

So I decided to start the challenge on a Monday instead of Sunday because B was having a $20 family style dinner night with lamb, roasted fennel, sautéed carrots and mashed potatoes and dessert (cheese plate for me!). The breakfasts and lunches have been easy to not spend money. Leftover ricotta-sorrel spread with [...]

Weeknight supper

To save our pennies to buy a house, J and I have committed to eat in every night this week.  Last night we got lazy and simply sauteed some broccoli and garlic in soy sauce and grilled some Trader Joe’s salmon patties for salmon burgers.  But Tuesday, I had a bit of inspiration – two [...]

Beets!

Isn’t it funny how things come in and out of fashion?  I wonder if it’s a timing thing or an age thing but it wasn’t so long ago that Brussels Sprouts were the most vile thing evah.  Between Brusells Sprouts and spinach, green vegetables were given a pretty bad name.  And at some point someone [...]

When Things Get Roughy He Hides Behind His Buffy

Yes, I’ve been dying to use that title. Sunday turned out to be the perfect bay Area day. The sun was shining and the temperature wasn’t too chilly. We spent a lazy morning chilling out and going to open houses. Yes, we are beginning our house hunt. While it [...]

Repurposing

So a month ago Barack Obama got inaugurated and I had a fabulous meal made by cheffie.  With ten pounds of pork to be eaten by 7 people, there were leftovers.  We were sent home with a pound of braised pork that has been sitting in our freezer for a month.  Mixed in with the [...]

Creamed spinach

It’s winter and we need to focus on comfort food. Nothing is more comforting than something with the word creamed in it. But creamed doesn’t have to mean cream. Just reducing milk gives it a great silky consistency. So here’s a non-cream version of a steakhouse fav.  I’d also add that [...]

I swear I’m not a cooking stalker

So once again, I make a version of what Scotte is making. But I didn’t read his blog until last night! My inspiration for this dish was from a former roommate who grew up Mennonite. Chicken stew has been a staple these days and for good reason. It’s filling and comforting. [...]