Beef Braised with Orange

Last week we ventured up to North Carolina to visit my parents.  The little town I grew up in has changed tremendously over the years – some good changes, and some not so good.  That’s the way change goes!  Big Box stores, like WalMart and the newly constructed Tanger Outlet Center, are blights on the… Continue reading Beef Braised with Orange

Fennel with Cheese Sauce (Finocchi Al Formaggio)

Modified from Italy, The Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Regions of Italy, by Lorenza de’Medici and Patrizia Passigli I have this rather large cookbook, Italy, the Beautiful Cookbook, which is sized more appropriately for coffee table display than for actual cooking.  For that reason, I haven’t really taken much advantage of the great Italian… Continue reading Fennel with Cheese Sauce (Finocchi Al Formaggio)

Pork Chops with Sweet Potato and Fennel Hash

Pork chops are so easy.  They cook up quickly without much fuss, which makes them great for mid-week dinners.  I especially like pork paired with something that has a little sweetness.  Fruits like apples, cherries, and apricots are clear winners – but so are the sugars from slowly caramelized fennel, onion, and sweet potatoes in… Continue reading Pork Chops with Sweet Potato and Fennel Hash

Roasted Figs and Fennel

The last week has been blessedly fall-like with cooler temperatures.  Time to start thinking about all the wonderful meals of the harvest season!  Roasting vegetables in the oven is one of my favorite cooking methods – because it’s easy, sure, but also because the high heat caramelizes whatever natural sugars are present and transforms about… Continue reading Roasted Figs and Fennel