This year I had a special Thanksgiving - it was a day I got to watch the traditional Thanksgiving from afar. I am not at home, did not cook a single thing and did not even have any turkey at all. My home-cooked Thanksgiving Dinner was last Sunday, taking over 2 days to prepare. Thursday was just a simple day for relaxing with my kids and husband - the three people I am most thankful for in my life. Being together, just the 4 of us with no … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2013
Sweet Potato Rolls
SWEET POTATO ROLLS – Note: I prepare this dough the day ahead of serving and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. 1/4 c warm water 1 package active dry yeast 1 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cinnamon 5 tblsp butter 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes 1 tsp lemon juice 1 egg slightly … [Read more...]
AKA, The Scone Lady – Today’s Offering – Red Anjou Pear and Ginger Scones
this is what a perfectly ripe pear looks like - it should be glistening when you peel it; don't think I really captured its juicyness, but it was, perfect Guess I am becoming "The Scone Lady". I could be known as worse things........ Today I had the most beautiful red anjou pear which was perfectly ripe - wish I had photographed it before I peeled it. I actually thought I had another one, but the "mice" must have eaten it when I wasn't … [Read more...]
Mischief in the Morning – A Rummy Start – Dried Cherry and Rum Scones
"Marianne Hanley, she baked scones." Two things come to mind as I write this post: first I remember Brook Miller once quipping, that on his tombstone his epitaph would read, "Brook Miller, he mowed his lawn". For some reason, I never forgot this - I just loved his statement about the sensibility of life. I guess I'd have to say for mine, "Marianne Hanley, she baked scones." I am not really sure what happened to me this morning. I … [Read more...]
Blow Away Dandelion: A Wonderful Side Dish for your Thanksgiving
Bring your Dandelions to blow away.......... Recorded in 1966 and released in 1967, Dandelion was a Rolling Stones Classic. Who's to say what this was all about? But, considering the date, we of certain age, can surmise the conditions under which it was conceived. I really don't know why I can't hear the word to this day, 47 or so years later, and not have this song pop into my head............ Here is a great and delicious side dish for … [Read more...]
Intended to Make a Pot Roast Today – but, Peanut Butter Toasted Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Came out Instead
Peanut Butter/Toasted Oat/Chocolate Chip Cookies adapted from Karen DeMasco The other night I read about these cookies in Andrew Carmellini's American Flavor. I immediately parked these in the memory bank. These cookies came to Andrew from Karen DeMasco, that New York Restaurant School alum who has become well-renowned in the pastry world. Karen left Locanda Verde this past June and actually, I am not sure what she's doing now. This … [Read more...]
Reflections on Meeting Alice Waters
Saturday November 9, 2013 at Union Square Farmer's Market: Yesterday, I had a short moment to chat with Alice Waters. I have long been fascinated with her and I needed to reflect on why. I have read a couple of books about her life and what she has done at Chez Panisse. I have visited her storied restaurant, three years ago when George and I were driving up the California coast in late September. I go to my bookshelf over and over to … [Read more...]
Dinner Tonight: Sausages with Roasted Grapes
Your house will smell amazing in no time! This Summer when I was on the Cape I saw Martha Stewart make a recipe which included Roasted Grapes. Hers was a delicious Farro Salad which I intend to try. She raved about the roasted grapes and I immediately found the idea intriguing. I tried these out with a baked Halibut and they were yummy. Today, as it rained and then turned a lot cooler, I thought of the idea of trying to concoct my own … [Read more...]
Thursday with Dorie – Her Apple Cake and Mine
I am not sure what is wrong with me but if my covered cake plate is empty I feel compelled to put something in it! It can be dangerous........ Today, I'm spending Thursday with Dorie........ I am a great fan of Dorie Greenspan and her blog Tuesdays with Dorie. She is one of those lucky people who have done and do a ton of great things. She lives in Paris for part of the year, worked with Pierre Hermé and Julia Child, wrote several books … [Read more...]
Fat and Happy, Potential for Improvement – Raspberry/Orange Scones Yet Again
Crunchier, more fragrant..... advancement....... I don't like repeating recipes very often, especially scones. Shocker! - as Ryan would say - At this point, I am after new and exciting, not repetition. And so, confession: I'm actually getting tired of making scones. However, I am always open to the possibility for the potential for improvement. My definition of a great Scone? Fat and Happy. Today I had a request for … [Read more...]