January 25 is Burns Night, which celebrates the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Suppers are held across Scotland and by many Scottish societies and clubs around the world. I was challenged by a friend some years ago to host a Burns Night supper and so I did. I put plaid fabric down the table as a runner and had florist make up arrangements of thistle and heather. I … [Read more...] about Cock-a-Leekie Soup
Fruit and Vegetables
Chicken Apple Bisque
French bistro – that’s what this soup says to me. I have no idea if this is anyway something you would find on an authentic bistro menu, but the combination of classic vegetables and Calvados brandy just seems to me like something that would be served in a simple bistro, in a big bowl, with a sliced baguette on the table. Because I find this soup has that elusive French … [Read more...] about Chicken Apple Bisque
Cauliflower Cheese Soup with Curried Cauliflower Crumbs
Cauliflower Cheese is a very popular dish in England, one of its comfort foods. Basically, it is cauliflower in a creamy cheese sauce. But the first time I heard of cauliflower cheese, on the set menu at a restaurant during a high-school summer in England, I was a little worried it was actually some kind of strange British cheese. I thought they might bring our some lumpy, … [Read more...] about Cauliflower Cheese Soup with Curried Cauliflower Crumbs
Cast Iron Collards
I adhere very solidly to tradition of eating black eyed peas and greens on New Year’s day for luck and prosperity. I have a wonderful New Year’s Eve tradition, so on New Year’s Day, I usually sleep in, then curl up on the couch with a book while a pot of peas and some collards stew away on the stove – minimal prep and minimal work. But this cast-iron skillet, … [Read more...] about Cast Iron Collards
Butternut Squash Pickle
The beautiful orangey amber cubes dress up any autumn platter. This is a quick pickle, one for the refrigerator not the canning process. Make it ahead of your holiday cooking as the flavor needs a little time to develop. Cutting the butternut can be a little time consuming, but a little patience and sharp, sturdy knife will pay off. I really prefer to have small pieces, … [Read more...] about Butternut Squash Pickle
