Make

A Peppery Snack:

Ever since my father passed away last year, I have been visiting my family more often. Partly because his passing was a great moment of understanding and bonding between my siblings, and partly because circumstances in my life had changed. Either way, more time with my mother and sisters has been greatly comforting to both myself and the Sprout. And every visit is marked by a meal at our favorite fish taco stand, Taco Nazo….(read more)

Entomatadas, mi amor:

Everyone has a dish and this is mine. You know, the dish you can eat for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, middle of the night kind of dish. The dish you often eat alone, standing in the kitchen. The dish that never lets you down, can always be prepared  quickly, and always leaves you happy and satisfied. The dish you want to share with friends…(read more)

A Winter Meal for a Fairy:

Years ago I had the most delicious pasta dish at Oliveto. It is one of two pasta dishes that stand out in my mind as utter perfection. It was a cold rainy winter day but somehow I managed the 1 1/2 hour trek to Piedmont. Oliveto is one of my favorite restaurants, it is like coming home. Great food, friendly staff, and the exuberance of Chef Canales always set the stage for a memorable evening. I was pregnant at the time and my appetite was off…(read more)

A Crumbly Quince Cookie:

Anyone who knows me knows I love quinces. Quince blossoms are my favorite, and the fruit is just so… utterly divine! At once sweet, tart, tangy, with a deep lemony apple aroma. And when cooked it turns the most amazing pink color, which deepens with cooking time. It is also a flavor from my childhood, I used to eat it both raw and in the well known paste form, membrillo. Every year I make trays and trays of cotognata, and jar upon jar of quince jam…(read more)

Ricotta & Honey, Frugal Foodie VIII:

The combination of flavors and textures, it’s simplicity, it’s instantness, makes this my current favorite dessert. And cooking is barely required, yes barely. I do think roasting some apricot kernels, almonds, or pinenuts constitutes as “barely.” So, start with fresh ricotta…(read more)

Ratafia de Cerises:

The fruits of Summer always amaze, the sweetness and flavor unmatched. Though I have been previously obsessed with jams and jellies as a preservation technique, the last couple of years have been a period of experimentation with other preserving techniques. Syrups, cordials, and infusions are a great way to capture the essence of Summer fruits, and are easy to make…(read more)

’tis Rhubarb!:

“I want another slice of rhubarb tart.
I want another lovely slice.
I’m not disparaging the blueberry pie
But rhubarb tart is oh so very nice.
A rhubarb what? A rhubarb tart!”… (read more)

Tarte aux Fruits:

The fruit tart is, for me, the most satisfying and simplest of desserts to make. This crust is extremely forgiving, quick to make, and pairs deliciously with most fruit (or any fruit I would wish to eat in a tart). This crust is basically a pate sucre with the addition of ground almonds. I think the almonds give it an added dimension, adding fragrance, texture, and delicacy. I have topped this crust with apples, pears, quince, figs, all sorts of berries, and peaches but my all time favorite is the small orange Italian plum. There is a…(read more)

Chicken on the Fly:

A well stocked kitchen is the solution to the busiest of lifestyles and a little planning can go a long way. Today was yet another busy day and I scheduled one too many things. I stepped in the door at 5:10 and had guests arriving for dinner at 6. When my daughter is with me, I err on dinner being earlier than later. There is nothing like a hungry child to cast…(read more)

Be Still My Beeting Heart:

I am always on the lookout for a few things. Vintage ikats from Central Asia,  chocolate recipes, and new ways to get my daughter to eat vegetables (she is a real steak frites kind of kid). When I read Maria Verivaki’s recipe on chocalate beet muffins I was intrigued. Unlike Maria, I didn’t have to hide the beets from my daughter, she was very interested in the very redness of it all. After all, red is mommy’s…(read more)

Marcella’s Cauliflower:

I have many books on my shelf but few that I turn to over and over again. There are some books one can just trust… knowing that the recipes will be simple, delicious, and always work! Like you, I have followed many recipes and been annoyed by errors, especially when costly ingredients have been used and company is expected. And then there is Marcella Cucina, a book of…(read more)

Fiery Eggs, Estilo Mamacita:

I never thought of myself as a difficult teenager. I never stayed out late, got into trouble, disrespected my parents, talked on the phone for hours on end, had a messy room, etc… But, I was difficult and rolled my eyes when it came to my mother’s fiery eggs. As a teenager, I just couldn’t stand the sight of fiery eggs…(read more)

Tahini Cookies:

This cookie was inspired by a recipe in Meeta Khurana’s  What’s for lunch honey? and my own C is for Chocolate Cherry Cookies. My daughter and I love the combination of dried cherries and chocolate and also nut/seed butters. Meeta’s recipe reminded me of the deeply delicious taste of tahini, though I prefer the roasted kind! After thinking about it for a few minutes, I decided to give it a go. I made two…(read more)

jalapeños, one way or another:

The biggest disappointment from my summer garden this year was the jalapeño crop. Yeah, I lost my tomatoes but I can get those easily from my favorite farms. Jalapeños are a different matter. I only know one farm that grows them and their price is outrageous. If my mother ever found out how much the farmer’s market price is, well, she would faint…(read more)

Lemonphilia, Frugal Foodie VI:

The other day my daughter said, “Mama, we have too many lemons, no more” as we were harvesting from the neighbors 3 prolific Meyer lemon trees. I was surprised that she, of all people, was setting limits on her dear old Mama. When we returned home she helped me make a couple more jars of preserved lemons to add to the collection. We now have bottles of Limoncello and jars…(read more)

Artusi, Penitence & a Splash of Jamaica:

After a weekend of too many chocolate eggs, champagne, an Easter luncheon and dinner, and too many indulgent thoughts, I felt a little penitence was necessary. Yes, I was brought up Catholic and somethings are really hard to shake (like my mother’s voice in my head telling me to iron my clothes…(read more)

Strawberry Jam a la Russe:

On my way to the Farmer’s Market today, I stopped to fill my tank of gas. I keep track of how often I fill it and soon discovered that the last time was 5 weeks ago! Perhaps a sad commentary and the geographic smallness of my world, or not!  No, I am not a hermit! I am out all the time but often on bike or pushing a stroller, a different set of wheels. My reward for being gentle…(read more)

Cigars and leftovers…:

Taking stock of my pantry is a seasonal affair. With Spring in the air, I am feeling the beginning twinges of my preserving obsession. But, you see, like most people, kitchen space is limited. So today, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I decided to tackle refrigerator, cupboards, and all the other creative storage spaces in my kitchen. I will not list an inventory of what…(read more)

a Tagine and a Soup:

Today is Friday and everything I cooked at the beginning of the week is gone! Yes! The chicken tagine, bean and chorizo soup, pot of beans, and banana bread. It is wonderful when one’s organization pays off! My daughter was particularly hungry and social this week and as a result, this was a busy week for eating and playdates or, I should say, more so…(read more)

Pyramid of Bananas, Frugal Foodie V:

This is the era of the Buy Local, Buy Fresh movement but when it comes to fruit, I believe, the banana is the one exception. Bananas are such a quick and easy snack that even those without teeth can enjoy. I don’t know of a family with children that doesn’t consider the banana a staple food. Short of moving to Ecuador or Africa, the only way to enjoy a banana is by quickly and discretely turning a blind eye…(read more)

Choy for Life:

I love Chinatowns, the one in Bangkok seems to be the size of the city I live in! The nearest Chinatown is in Oakland and though it is quite small, it still hits the spot. A short trip satisfied my craving for porridge and allowed for some shopping. Two things I find absolutely irresistible are the kitchen supplies and bags of greens (and the ginger, Green Gourd beverage, dried kumquats…(read more)

Brownies from an Old Foodie:

This is a wonderful brownie recipe shared by Janet Clarkson, the Old Foodie. It makes a quick and delicious brownie that will satisfy both your sweet and chocolate tooth in about 40 minutes! What I like about this recipe is that the brownie is not outrageously sweet. I did not cut into tiny pieces as Janet recommends and still managed…(read more)

And the silicon chip inside her head…

Mondays are always brutal. Work, food shopping, laundry, errands, cleaning and planning for the week, catching up on reading. My daughter is with her father Sunday and Monday so those two days are both catch up and get ahead days. And if I’m lucky, I can squeeze in a dinner and film with friends. If I’m a good mommy and do my chores, the week goes smoothly and I can bake and prance and “make art” with my daughter…(read more)

Chickpeas, for the organizational genius:

Planning and organizing are second nature to me. Lately, between a handful of jobs and a 2 1/2 year old that has stopped napping, my world comes to a grinding halt if I am not prepared. For years I struggled with a partner whose effusive, charming, and spontaneous energy overwhelmed my daily life. I always felt as if there was something seriously lacking in my nature because it was so very hard to…(read more)

The Discrete Charm of the Avocados:

The noblest of fruit and most versatile of berries, the avocado is a beautiful and savory food. Ever since its discovery, this New World “pear” gained quick popularity. The sweet creamy flesh has a delicate flavor and works well with the simplest of ingredients. Avocados need nothing more than a dash of salt to make a satisfying and filling snack and, I believe, this is why they have such a wide…(read more)

A Tarte for all occasions:

Three weeks ago I received horrible news. My dear friend Sarah was just diagnosed with Hogdkins Lymphoma. Sarah is 30 and the mother of a beautiful little boy, Marek. We met when we were pregnant and seemed to follow each other around. We both joined a birthing class we hated and left only to find ourselves in the same different class. This is where we really bonded. Sarah was always the calming…(read more)

Savoy Cabbage, a quick meal to end a busy week:

My daughter and I frequent our local Farmer’s Market twice a week. By far, my favorite farm stall is Dirty Girl Produce and I always head there first. I am never disappointed. They always have an outstanding selection of vegetables and during the summer, the best strawberries. What is so great about their vegetables? Well, not only the variety but the stages in which they are sold. Beautiful tender leeks, young buttery French radishes…(read more)

Pancakes for the Penitent, Shrove Tuesday to You:

The forty days of Lent starts in a couple of days and so the feasting begins. The tradition of excess before abstinence is a deeply rooted psychological human reaction. Many of the festive dishes we eat today on a more regular basis were originally dishes related to fasting… (read more)

A Wednesday of Chile Rellenos:

Today is Ash Wednesday. My mother always made a huge feast centered around chile rellenos, nopales con chile verde, lentils, dried shrimp pancakes, a chopped salad in a mayonnaise sauce, beans, battered pigs feet, a slightly spiced omelet made from the remaining egg mix, and an amazing bread pudding. The tragedy of living so far away from my dear mother is not being able to spend the whole day in her kitchen helping… (read more)

Romance, according to Oscar Wilde:

Oscar once said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” and I agree! I choose not to think of this quote in terms of “self-abuse” but rather in taking the time to seek pleasure in the everyday and romancing one’s spirit. Today was a very busy day but I was able to finish all my chores by 4 in the afternoon. Today was also the kind of day… (read more)

Poulet Vert, Frugal Foodie III:

I love Winter. Cold days and nights, rain, green leafy vegetables at the Farmer’s Market… Perfect time for making Poulet Vert, the green chicken of Gascony. Poulet Vert is a stuffed cabbage and at heart a peasant’s dish, a dish of necessity and lean times. The ingredients are all basic staples…(read more)

Pulling Mussels from a Shell, Frugal Foodie II:

Foraging appeals to me on a primordial level, the gathering of sustenance in the wild is an activity that I find deeply satisfying.  By nature I consider myself an urbanite but even I find something utterly magical about centering my meal around wild food.  I am fortunate… (read more)

Preserved Lemons, Frugal Foodie I:

Preserved lemons are a great Moroccan delicacy. Pickling (more on lactic fermentation later) mellows the lemon rind of it’s tartness and makes the flesh more lemony! This is a very good use of lemons as they add a distinct and memorable taste to any dish, keep wonderfully, and make delightful gifts… (read more)

Eggy Soldiers:

My daughter woke from a restless night, hungry. Still recovering from the flu, much care must be given to what she eats.  Lacking in energy, and probably bored from a week spent on her Mama’s lap… (read more)

Lentils, For the Faint of Body:

Today my daughter woke energized and hungry after a week long bout with the flu. Hmm, what to make for my little darling? Perhaps Lentils vert du Pay served over rice? One thing that makes these lentils a staple in my kitchen… (read more)