Photo Courtesy Bouchon Bakery Make a Beeline to Bouchon! I had a ball oogling the proofing racks at Bouchon in Yountville on my visit to California in 9/2011. Makes one want to stuff your tote bag full of these amazing light but crispy members of the viennoiserie family and go and hide behind a tree and stuff your face - slowly and carefully, though. This is a treat to savor....... Right on the heals of National Chocolate Cake Day … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2013
The “Circus” in Piccadilly Circus; Recipe for Ricotta and Basil Mousse
Summer, can you hear me? I am very glad that we are at the end of January already; just today and tomorrow...... Before my memories begin to fade and I get busy with all the tasks I have postponed since the beginning of January, I want to put down on "paper" a few more thoughts from my trip last week. I guess I have exhausted the enthusiasm I felt over the flowers and the shopping in this blog, so I need to move onto some other things. … [Read more...]
Solving the Mysteries of Eating “Well”; Contemplating the Place of National Chocolate Cake Day
Photo Courtesy of King Arthur Flour Can one be an advocate of both National Chocolate Cake Day and of eating healthy - to the extent that you have purged your body of toxins and inflammatory effects, and thereby minimizing the effects of aging? Before you start reading this, just know that I do not come to any conclusions here....... For many years I have been trying to solve the mystery of eating well. What exactly does this mean? … [Read more...]
The London Journal – Euro-centric, Crazy Me
Part of the UK-proud offerings at Fortnum and Mason I just returned from 7 days in London. If I had to sum up my experience in one word, what would it be? "Utterly Charming" fits the bill best. Ok, that's two words. I had the BEST time - hadn't been in London in quite a few years - maybe 12? Anyway, it was amazing to go back - my 4th visit! I tried to make the best of the short amount of time I had - and the fact that I was supposedly … [Read more...]
So Far; Some Classic Recipes from Across the Pond
Wow, the sun is actually peaking - and I do mean peaking - out from the clouds right now. It's after 8 am for goodness sake - is this the best you can do?????? I'm sorry, I am desperate after the last 5 days. You wouldn't believe how far toward the south this picture was shot just a few minutes ago. While the days since the solstice number near 30, why does it seem the progress comes more in the pm than the am? Are we really SO FAR from … [Read more...]
Grazing in the…. Gremolata – Always Enhancing
Does anyone remember the song, "Grazing in the Grass" from 1968 and the Friends of Distinction? Well, no, probably not......... Just another of those "popped into my head" moments. Glad something's still working up there in this dastardly weather. Often the simplest of preparations can add a wonderful visual and sensory impact. What could be easier than adding Gremolata to a recipe? It enhances everything, doesn't it? Gremolata is … [Read more...]
Fennel Frenzy; Lucky 13 recipes and Halfway through January Already!
I have not been nearly as diligent as I had hoped about my recipe challenge. But, I am not giving up. Better late than never........ Lately, I have become more than a little obsessed with Fennel. I find it refreshing and fulfilling to use year round. It is equally great when fresh or cooked in a myriad of applications: slice, steam, bake, roast, saute!!!! All parts are edible and usable, and the fronds are beautiful. I love using the … [Read more...]
Here Today/Gone Today and a Blood Orange and Almond Bundt Cake
Bye-bye to the 3 lb Caribbean Lobster George and I split on Friday night at Agua on Grand Cayman I am back home in New Jersey. Yesterday, I walked on the beach, barefoot, for one hour, had breakfast outside in shorts, put on my bathing suit and sat in my beach chair until.........suddenly I landed in Newark, New Jersey!!!!! I had that eerie feeling - you know the one when you wonder how you could have been in one place in the morning and … [Read more...]
Fruits of the Sea – Merry, Merry Me; and, in Search of Understanding the Real Anthony Bourdain
Sky yesterday morning on our beach An easy and hard place to work. I have spent a considerable amount of time over the last couple of days trying to figure out how to worm my way into the Conde-Nast Traveler meeting here in my hotel. I have not quite figured out how to do this. Where are my business cards? Home in New Jersey. Won't make that mistake again. I am currently reading Anthony Bourdain's "A Cook's Tour" - … [Read more...]
The Magic of Mushrooms
Dried Morels Day 3 - up to 30 on my challenge to get to 90 new recipes to try in the first months of 2013: So many savory recipes are enhanced by the magic of mushrooms - described on Wikipedia as the fleshy, spore-bearing, fruiting body of a fungus - not quite evoking positive notes with that - but so worth disregarding as you peruse the market for the melange of fresh and dried offerings...... I am not educated in the foraging … [Read more...]