When I got Michel Roux’s book on sauces a few weeks back, I was a touch intimidated.  I mean this man is a genius! A true great. It seemed very technical. It seemed pro. It seemed to daunt me. I’d flip through and salivate but then think I don’t know if I can do that. [...]

(photo courtesy of Closet Cooking) I am always trying to use the ingredients that I already have on hand.  Call it laziness or call it thrift, it always baffles me how the pantry can be full but there is nothing to eat.  That is why when I saw a recipe in the Times for a [...]

If you read this blog even once a month, you know what a granola fanatic I am. From making it to rating it, there’ve been many an ode to the stuff. So, when I found Mix My Granola a few weeks back, I knew it’d be turning up on the blog whether I liked it [...]

On our last night in L.A.,  Jill and Taylor suggested dinner at GJelina – a new restaurant on a very hip street in Santa Monica. We were dazzled by the 20 or so choices of vegetable small plates on the menu and our favorite of the ones we tried was roasted cauliflower. I made my [...]

If you’ve ever wanted to know, now’s the time to learn baby. (This video will be up til the 14th)

Last night it was about 85 degrees, 100% humidity.  All I could really think about eating was some Japanese food – light, clean and to the point. My friend and I popped into Kasadela on East 11th, a time-tested, five year old isayaka.  Our first choices – Kyo Ya and Kajitsu – were closed Monday, [...]

I was just invited, by my Spanish friend Teresa, to a tapas party! I’ll bring one of my favorite apps … easy to make and sooo delicious! Slice red, orange and yellow peppers, add some thinly sliced serrano or jalapenos on to a baking sheet. Add lots and lots and lots of crushed garlic and [...]

Those elderflowers I picked were put to good use. After soaking them with lemon, sugar and water for days, we strained them and boiled the reserved water down to saft (a light syrup/juice) and a very limited run of syrup. Check out the sweet bottles in the shop! Fläderbloms = Elderflowers

My new neighbor, Gary, is one of the most fabulous men you’ll ever meet. Not only does he dress like he owns Bergdorf’s (in fact, he did a stint there as a personal shopper) but the man can cook. Last week, Read and I went out for a night on the town with our new [...]

I had an interesting and very delicious appetizer at a funky little “joint” across the street from the Ohio River… Since you probably won’t be coming to Cincinnati soon, you can make this at home in a flash! Slice a tomato. Add a dollop or two of guacamole. Top with a few slices of seared [...]