Blog Posts from All Months All Years
Wild Leek Risotto
The wild leek, or ramp, turns up in farmers markets in the spring. The leaves are broad and bright green, and the slender bulbs are white. The whole plant smells strongly, somewhere between onions and garlic, but when you cook it, the flavors soften beautifully.
Read more »
Saved by sausage and chicory (Dandelion Greens)
It was a dire situation (we’re talking in culinary terms, or course): a nearly empty refrigerator with only some leftover sautéed chicory from the day before and some sausage. Though the sausage was fresh and from my favorite butcher, the chances of making any kind of memorable dinner were not looking good. Read more »
Learning How to Cook - By Heart!
Cooking with kids in the kitchen Read more »
Pasta Aglio Olio Goes Japanese
From the instant that we decided to have a blog on our site a year ago, I have had two blog ideas that I just can't get out of my head. The first will be "coming soon": all about the old-school Second Kitchens I admired so m
Packing, wrapping and storing food—and cultivating the habit of not wasting it
Often the most obvious things escape our attention, and though what I’m about to say may seem obvious, its importance is easily overlooked: The fresher food is the better it tastes. But, you may say, in this busy, distracting and distracted world we live in, does anyone really notice the difference between a frittata made with fresh eggs and another made with eggs that have been sitting in a refrigerator for three weeks? On some level, we must—which is at least part of the reason that almost everyone who visits Italy marvels at how much better everything tastes here. Read more »
Dinner for One: The joy—and advantages—of cooking just for yourself
In spite of what some people say, there are genuine delights and some great advantages in cooking just for yourself. Everyone knows the joys of eating with friends and loved ones, but few people celebrate eating alone. Cooking for yourself can be a daily demonstration of self-love, and it can also be a truly creative and fun part of your life. So, I’d like to debunk a few of the common myths about cooking for one, and suggest some helpful tips for getting in the habit. Read more »
Roasting and Peeling Bell Peppers: the paper bag trick
Roasted bell peppers lend an attractive, colorful touch to many appetizer plates, such as the typical southern Italian antipasti dishes. Read more »
Baccalà: Step by Step. How to Prepare your Christmas Eve Baccala
Baccalà: Step by Step Read more »
10 Good Reasons to Eat At Home Tonight
1. Baby, it’s cold outside … and even if it isn’t, it is, figuratively speaking. For me, whether there’s actually a blizzard outside or not, it’s just so much cozier at home than anywhere else.
2. I’m not in the mood for getting dressed. Among other things, my feet hurt. Believe me … they do, and I can’t wear my slippers to the restaurant.
3. I’m in no mood for schmoozing with anyone tonight. Sometimes just talking to a waiter is way too much socializing for me. Read more »
