Like many traditional dishes of the British Isles, my first taste of Irish Stew was in the dining hall of my college at Oxford. And it wasn’t a particularly good experience. Tough meat, watery broth, soggy vegetables. But I never gave up on the notion; I just think I liked this dish in theory more than in concept. But a warming, hearty lamb and vegetable stew is just a plain … [Read more...] about Irish Stew
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Truffle Tart
Peanut butter and chocolate are one of nature’s great flavor combinations. But part of the great parental anomalies of my childhood. My Dad doesn’t like it. That was, and still is, difficult for me to understand. It was as much a mystery to me as all those great questions that were answered with “because I said so”. After all, how could a man who eats tiny, oily, smelly … [Read more...] about Peanut Butter and Chocolate Truffle Tart
Citrus Shrimp Linguine
It’s winter. Generally, it’s cold and grey, though here in Memphis, the months are punctuated with weirdly frustrating days of seventy degree weather. I love winter food, but I have souped and stewed and braised myself silly and I’m ready for something lighter and fresher. This recipe started as just that. A quick whip-up with the last citrus at the bottom of the fruit bowl and … [Read more...] about Citrus Shrimp Linguine
Sweet Tea Jelly
Canning is my summer time obsession. From the first strawberries of spring to the last pears of fall, I spend my weekends putting up my famers market bounty. Then the market closes for the season, I put the canner back in the pantry and shelf the jars for the next year. But at some point, in the dark days of winter, I get the slight canning bug. I don’t particularly see the … [Read more...] about Sweet Tea Jelly
Crawfish Cornbread
It’s Mardi Gras time, and so it’s time for crawfish. Crawfish Cornbread is a recipe I have seen in many Louisiana community cookbooks over the years, and I’ve whipped up a batch or two in my time. I have no idea if this is a traditional Cajun recipe, or started it’s life on the back of corn bread mix box, but that doesn’t matter to me, because it is a sound idea that results in … [Read more...] about Crawfish Cornbread
