Review of Smart Casual: The Transformation of Gourmet Restaurant Style in America by Alison Pearlman ( Read more... )

Last month I read Jennifer 8. Lee's Fortune Cookie Chronicles

http://zalena.livejournal.com/1016990.html

This month da_lj read it and responded in kind ( Read more... )

Gave up the goods on the baklava recipe for Mom's Easter Singles Feast. I did not plan the rest of the meal.

I also thought I would share this one with you. It is pretty much all fat and carbs, but a tasty alternative to powdered mac 'n cheese and much faster than the baked variety.

( One-Pot Stovetop Mac in the Alfredo style: )

I tried this no-knead yeast bread last night. It turned out dense, but chewy & fabulous with the slight hint of 'breaskfast' taste to it. I freely adapted the recipe to use up some of the weird bits and pieces left in my cupboard. I used a variety of different flours, throwing in some wheat germ because I ran out of wheat flour. There wasn't enough ( Read more... )

Those of you who have spent any amount of time with me socially lately will have noticed that there are a ridiculous number of bundt cakes showing up. Not only are they easy, unfusy, and serve an ever expanding number of people without seeming ungenerous; I've been experimenting. I've also been in the mood for baking cakes, but not necessarily ( Read more... )

from the Pernil recipe in Giving Thanks

1 large head of garlic, broken apart, and cloves peeled. (serious garlic lovers can use two heads)
1/4 c fresh oregano, or 1 1/2 T dried
2 t salt
2 t black peppercorns
3 T olive oil
1 5-6 lb bone-in, pork shoulder, untrimmed

( Directions )

I was rehashing that oh-so-familiar anecdote about going to an expensive dinner w/Ex and having the lining come out of my coat at the coat check. I needed a new coat, which he wouldn't pay for, but was about to sit down to a dinner that would cost as much as a new coat ( Read more... )

Yesterday, on a whim (???) I made crystallized ginger ( Read more... )

( The Sesame Noodle Salad I made for Sasha. Also served at Noir Night. )

( Recipe for macaroons I brought to Noir Night. )