kitchen adventures
Stir-fried beef is infinitely variable. This version, beef and broccoli for 2, adds green onions and a savory sauce that’s reminiscent of Mongolian Beef, and being a small batch, cooks quickly. Good knife work is critical: the beef should be sliced very thinly, and in bite-sized portions. Sirloin steak is […]
Autumn lasagna with squash and chard: it carries the flavors of fall: roasted squash, sage, sausage and cheese combine to make a memorable dish. It’s no more complicated than any other lasagna: there’s a sauce, there are noodles, and there are fillings that get layered in. Inspiration can come from […]
I have a weakness for molasses cookies of all kinds. The best of them are deeply darkly delicious; chewy, both sharp and mellow with spices. They will keep for weeks, if only I can hide them from my family. (I’ve never been able to keep any long enough to test […]
Autumn in Michigan means changeable weather. Yesterday was sunny and bright, but today is grey and dank, with a clammy chill shivering in the air. This is exactly the sort of day that calls for a steaming mug of chocolate. No, not just any mug: how about the best hot chocolate? […]
Have you eaten stuffed grape leaves? Common in Greek and Middle-Eastern cooking, they’re leaves stuffed with a rice/meat mixture, often served cool or at room temperature. This is a version using fresh chard. This is not a quick recipe, but it’s a great one to make ahead of time. Don’t […]
Not all salads are based on lettuce! Horiatiki salad, a Greek classic, is a summer favorite at our house. It’s quick, easy, and delicious – especially when we grow luscious ripe tomatoes. Fresh ingredients are the star in this salad. Use ripe tomatoes and local produce, if at all possible. […]
What do you do when you want to make apple pie for a big crowd? 2 or 3 round pies are difficult to carry to a gathering, and fussy to serve. Apple slab pie, or apple slice, is an old-fashioned option: a thin but luscious pie baked flat and wide. It […]
Let me say this straight out: I’m spoiled. I am accustomed to good health, abundant food, and reasonable comfort. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case this past month: I’ve been a coughing, hacking, miserable wreck. Cooking has been the last thing I could imagine doing. Some days, it was a struggle […]
Crisp and savory, these cheese crackers are perfect as a snack, to go with soup, as an accompaniment to wine or cocktails. They are crispy, crunchy, a little bit salty, and ever so cheesy. Not only do they taste perfectly wonderful, they’re easy to make, and keep well in an […]
Chow-dah. If you have fish stock on hand, you’re in luck: this New England fish chowder goes together quickly and without fuss. If you don’t already have the stock, the process is a bit longer, but don’t let it stop you! Follow the link for fish stock and reduce the […]
These buttery shortbread cookies are a family favorite: they are both simple to make and delicious to eat. This version is spiked with shards of crystallized ginger. Made with unbleached wheat flour, these cookies are definitely not gluten-free. Shortbread comes from Scotland, where it was made with oats. I’m planning to […]
This is a treat: it takes a bit of time, but it’s all simple steps. It’s just the kind of thing I like on a weekend morning. I make pots of tea and coffee, putter around in the kitchen for a bit, clean up while the pancake is in the oven, […]