French Fridays with Dorie It wasn’t too long ago that the sight of uncooked mussels would carry me back to the summers of my youth in Newport Beach, California. The thought of eating these creatures would never have occurred to me back then. We would play on the beach and pry the mussels that grew […]
Peppery Chocolate Pot de Crème
In the living room a baby cries out; while slightly less angry, but surely just as passionate, pots of velvety chocolate smush demand to be noticed at the table. A first lingering bite befuddle the barometers of taste; they are left to grasp mixed messages fluttering across their allegedly cultivated tongues. “Did I just…?” Another […]
February 11, 2012 by 21 Comments
Meatballs: Vintage Style
“Hey buddy, these fancy meatballs are great! Thanks!” “No problem. It was the least that I could do.” And I meant it. It really was the least that I could do. * * * My grandmother used to say “be friendly with the neighbors but don’t be friends”. That pearl of wisdom sums up […]
February 7, 2012 by 9 Comments
Big Red Chili with Brisket and Pinto Beans
There are days when you wake up feeling like a true, creative original. When these days strike, nothing you do seems derivative or reeks of cliché. You are inspired! You wake up to start your day by putting together an outfit for yourself that has that certain je nes c’est quoi communicating the one-of-a-kind energy you […]
January 22, 2012 by 7 Comments
M. Jacques’ Armagnac Chicken
French Fridays with Dorie – Haiku Chicken in a pot A meal everyone should know. Dorie does many. As far as they go, “Les paresseux” is better. Still, this was tasty. Skin needed broiling. “Admire the brown chicken!” (Who was she kidding? M. Jacques’ Armagnac Chicken Recipe found here at New York Times I never […]
January 16, 2012 by 11 Comments
Horse’s Neck Cocktail – Bourbon Time!
Am I too late to post a New Year’s Resolution? It involves this Horse’s Neck Cocktail. Please don’t hold my resolution tardiness against me — I not resolving to be more timely in 2012 so there! No, I know better than to do something as futile as that. When it comes to resolutions I prefer […]
January 13, 2012 by 15 Comments
Cauliflower Gratin with Bacon and Eggs
French Fridays with Dorie – Haiku “Cauliflower Gratin” for French Friday’s with Dorie: Haiku Version. Oh cauliflower! Formerly I showed no love. Now you really rock. What is in a name? I think Dorie got this wrong. “Gratin”? I think not. Not really a ‘side’! Make a chic lunch out of it. Good for any […]
January 4, 2012 by 12 Comments
The Thing You Missed in 2011!
Like most of you today, I’m feeling somewhat reflective on the previous year. We can hardly be blamed for feeling this way since the media inundates us this week each year with year-end roundups, death lists and several other segments each designed to have us looking back to wonder how it all passed so quickly. […]
December 31, 2011 by 17 Comments
Chinese Chicken Salad
As you would expect, there is a story about this Chinese Chicken Salad. My friend Mei-Ling came over for dinner not long ago and even though we hadn’t seen each other in years we were able to “pick it right up” as if it had only been days. I always love it when that […]
December 29, 2011 by 4 Comments
Oignons Aigre Doux French Sweet and Sour Onions
These oignons aigre doux were holiday stress relievers for me. Have you ever heard of anybody losing a friendship because the Christmas meal wasn’t what it should have been? Did all heck break loose at your house because somebody had the temerity to bring a side dish nobody really liked? Perhaps you suffered through […]
December 27, 2011 by 12 Comments
