There are moments in the kitchen when you remember why you love to cook so much. That flash of personal genius that leads to the creation of something really great. A perfect moment of synergy when you find a way to combine your favorite ingredients into one sublime dish. This Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder, begun and ended with smoky, crispy bacon represents that moment for … [Read more...] about Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder with Bacon
Farmers Market
Foldin’ Money Cabbage
So we’ve discussed that Black-Eyed Peas are good luck on New Year’s Day, representing any number of things. Greens are said to bring prosperity in the New Year, largely because they represent foldin’ money. Many people choose to cook up a mess of collards or turnip greens, but I choose cabbage, for what represents a stack of good green money more than cabbage. … [Read more...] about Foldin’ Money Cabbage
Black-Eyed Peas for Luck
I have always known that on New Year’s Day, you eat black-eyed peas for good luck in the coming year. My parents weren’t necessarily the strictest adherents to this philosophy, but some how or another, black-eyed peas generally made an appearance on January 1. We had a family friend who made Hoppin’ John, and sometimes we’d end up at their house, even just for a … [Read more...] about Black-Eyed Peas for Luck
Candied Figs
I love figs. Fresh and dried, black, brown or green. But I admit I am not that creative with their use. I snap them up when I see them, but often can’t seem to move past wrapping them in prosciutto or roasting them draped with bacon. But eventually, one batch of figs ended up, after much thought, candied. I was, if I may say, quite pleased with the result. Sweet, treacly, … [Read more...] about Candied Figs
Old Time Cherry Buttermilk Cake
On my month long food tour of France this summer, my first stop was in the Mayenne, serendipitously during cherry season. All around the property of the cookery school, cherry trees hung heavy with beautiful ripe cherries – petite, juicy griottines and big round pale reds, almost like a Queen Anne. I picked the fruit straight from the tree and ate it, still warm – what a … [Read more...] about Old Time Cherry Buttermilk Cake
