I cook because I love to eat. I garden because I love to cook.
There are lots of factors that influence and inspire me when I cook and develop a recipe, but it’s rarely a name. Maybe I enjoyed a dish in a restaurant that I want to re-create at home. Or perhaps I saw a picture in a …
There are coleslaw lovers in this world, and coleslaw haters. It seems there are very few people in between. The lovers don’t understand why, when served as a supplement to your sandwich, you get only a tiny portion. Three or four forkfuls. A tease. It’s …
Kids are not easy, even when they’re no longer kids. My children, currently 19 and 21, are home from college because of the coronavirus pandemic. At times they have reverted to their former selves circa ages 6 and 8. They bicker and fight with each …
In the heat of the summer, it’s always good to keep the kitchen cool by heading outdoors to use the grill. Burgers and hot dogs are fine, but kebabs are really where it’s at; bite-size chunks, seared to crisp perfection on the outside, while still …
In the early 1990s, when my wife and I first moved in together, we rented the second floor of a big, old Victorian house painted white with brown trim, with creaky steps and uneven floors. Our landlord, Carmine, lived next door and our kitchen window …
I was cooking dinner for my family the other day and just before serving it, I knew the dish needed something. I ran to the garden to snip a handful of perfectly fresh herbs to sprinkle on top and complete the meal. One of my …
My wife and I are very compatible in general. Things that other couples fight about are not usually issues for us. For example, we share the same political point of view, which removes a tension found in many relationships. We have a similar sense of …
In early June, when the asparagus in the garden thin to the width of a pencil, their season has come to an end. As they fade until next year, new fruits and vegetables arise. The strawberries appear, bright red, juicy and delicious, ready to be …
I only met her once, but it was an important encounter. Tracy is a friend of a friend, and I can only remember one thing we talked about. She was funny and engaging and left an impression on me that I will never forget; however, …
Of all of the characteristics that make a morsel of food desirable, crispy bits reign supreme. I love the texture and flavor they bring to my dishes. Diners search it out in all kinds of foods, from the curliest, folded over potato chip in the …
