Parsley-Cucumber Salad with Feta, Pomegranate and Walnuts
I owe parsley a big apology. All these years I relegated it to a mere garnish or, at best, an important cameo player at Passover. Then again, what did parsley expect? I mean, it's always there, at every store, doesn't seem to have a "season," and it's cheap. Did...
Around My French Table: Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good
I wanted to make this recipe anyway but then on Friday night I was driving through some inexplicably bad traffic (honestly, does no one remember 1982 when were legally granted to ability to turn RIGHT ON RED???) when suddently, I heard Michele Norris' voice on NPR's...
Off Topic: Pan-Seared Scallops with Brown Butter Lemon Sauce
I feel like I owe you some fish. I was hoping you wouldn't noticed that I don't make it often. I blame growing up in the Midwest in the 60s and 70s where fish, with few exceptions, came in the form of frozen sticks upholstered in bread crumbs from some crazy place...
The Next Book: Baked Explorations
By popular demand (well, three votes to be accurate, but they were enthusiastic) I've chosen Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented as my next review book. What looks good? What doesn't. Double-Chocolate Loaf with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Spread,...
Off Topic: Risotto
Earlier this year (May, 2010) Cook's Illustrated featured a recipe for "Almost Hands-Free Risotto." Got my attention. I'd been tinkering with risotto and had some success but hadn't yet found the perfect recipe. The game-changer in this one is the cooking vessel. ...
Off Topic: Stir-Fried Thai-Style Beef with Chiles and Shallots
This is one of our favorite stir-fry dishes and if I can only convey one thing to you about this recipe it is this: do NOT fear the fish sauce. Believe me, I'm as adverse to the stuff, in its undiluted form, as anyone. When I'm pouring it out I actually hold my...
Around My French Table: Souffle
A true rite of passage: I made my first souffle. And I see the world differently now. Mostly because I measure time in terms of how much of it will elapse between souffles. Souffle needs to fire its PR agency. It has allowed itself to be placed, in popular...