This year, for the first time, I noticed vendors at the local farmers market selling garlic scapes. Garlic scapes are the greens that shoot off the top of a variety of garlic. They have a milder, garlicky flavor. They are long, green, and have a bulbous head at the top. I had heard of scapes, but never used them and as I am intrigued by anything garlic related, I bought a … [Read more...] about Garlic Scape Beef Satay
Beef
Simple Beef Pho
Soup seems to be a universal comfort food. The French have their onion soup, the Italians minestrone, and Moroccans love harira. For me, to be honest, tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich are the most comforting combination on earth. And Vietnamese pho is certainly part of this long list. My parents are big fans of a Vietnamese restaurant near the neighborhood, but I … [Read more...] about Simple Beef Pho
Bolognese Sauce
The Italian Grandmother in My Head I do not have a particularly ethnic background. Basic Anglo-Scots stock. Okay, a WASP. I cherish my Southern heritage and all the great culinary traditions I have enjoyed, inherited, and try to preserve. But I’ve never had a Bubbe teach me to make latkes or an Abuela to show me how to roll tamales. No Greek uncle … [Read more...] about Bolognese Sauce
Belgian Beef and Beer Stew (Carbonnades Flamandes)
In Bruges When I was young and foolish and full of high ideals, I spent a semester away from college studying European politics in London. The whole merry band of scholars was ushered to Brussels for a week to visit the European Union headquarters and NATO and lots of other sites twenty year-old college student find fascinating. We were, however, granted a free day to … [Read more...] about Belgian Beef and Beer Stew (Carbonnades Flamandes)
Easy Thai Beef Salad Cups
I love the flavor of Thai food, but it can be a little time consuming to prepare. This easy elegant wrap is simplified with bought roast beef. These little lettuce cups make a great appetizer, served on a big, pretty platter, or a simple cold summer supper. Choose a roast beef from the deli counter that is not highly seasoned or specially flavored and do not have it sliced … [Read more...] about Easy Thai Beef Salad Cups