Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Have you ever made a cheesy potato dish that you love, only to have it curdle or end up topped with an unappetizing pool of grease? There’s a lot of variables at play – the amount of starch in the potato, the proteins in the cream and cheese, how well… Continue reading Potatoes Au Gratin
We’re starting a new venture with community-supported agriculture this year, and we’re signed up with Rise ‘n Shine Organic Farm. Two weeks into it now, we’ve racked up plenty of good things – lettuce, kale, radishes, swiss chard, carrots – and also supplements of local honey, pecans, and grits since the growing season here is… Continue reading Acorn Squash with Kale and Pecans
On special days at my grandmother’s house, there was a giant glass bowl, much bigger than my head, filled nearly to the brim with layer upon layer of vanilla wafers, bananas, and creamy pudding. The crowning glory to this masterpiece was the ocean of meringue topping, with swooping waves and curls that were just barely… Continue reading Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding (gluten-free)
Adapted from and Inspired by Bakeaholic Mama I recognize that I use every excuse in the book to eat anything dripping with cheese and/or bacon….but this time I really needed some comfort food. If any of you have ever had a pinched nerve in your back, you know what I’m saying. Ouch! Although I was… Continue reading Smoky Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon Topping
Outside of winter holidays, we rarely have turkey. For some reason, I never think about turkey – and for the two of us, even a small whole turkey is too much. A 2-3 pound turkey breast, however, is just right for a meal or two, plus a couple of sandwiches. I ordered this boneless, skinless… Continue reading Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast
Cranberry sauce isn’t everyone’s favorite, but I personally have a deep abiding love for the stuff and can’t imagine a Thanksgiving table without it. I usually try a new recipe every year – there’s just so much you can do with it – but this recipe must might end up as a perennial favorite. Where… Continue reading Cranberry-Cherry Bourbon Compote
Inspiration: Puree of White Bean Soup from Brasserie le Coze This week I got a blender, a powerful one, something that incredulously was missing from my arsenal of cooking tools. I could not wait to take it for a spin. After making a couple of smoothies, I thought I had the hang of it. Let’s… Continue reading Roasted Cauliflower Soup (gluten-free, dairy-free)
Summer is finally starting to wind down, and thank goodness for that! I have to apologize for neglecting the blog for so long. For the most part, cooking this summer has been mostly repeats of favorites, coupled with a lack of enthusiasm for standing in a hot kitchen. Even grilling has gone by the wayside,… Continue reading Sunny Summer Squash Casserole
If you’re following along, earlier this week I ventured out to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market and brought home a few bags of inspiration for the blog. Our second meal resulting from that haul was grilled veal rib chops with this savory mushroom and goat cheese gratin. Although the veal chops were delicious, the mushroom gratin… Continue reading Mushroom and Goat Cheese Gratin
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
Leftover turkey. I love it for the first couple of days, then…what to do with it? This recipe for turkey enchiladas is my new favorite way to transform that leftover turkey into something that doesn’t seem like a leftover! Our turkey happened to be smoked, but you could use any cooked turkey or chicken for… Continue reading Smoked Turkey Enchiladas with Cranberry Salsa
Pie filling recipe adapted from Cooks Illustrated (membership required to view link) This recipe may have been born out of my inability to concoct a gluten-free pie crust that meets my satisfaction, but that doesn’t mean these crust-less gems give up anything that you expect in a pecan pie. They are every bit as gooey… Continue reading Crustless Mini Pecan Pies (grain-free)
Modified from Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen Cornbread pudding is one of our perennial favorites for any holiday meal. Not only is it melt-in-your-mouth good with a creamy custard base, savory herbs and dry aged cheese, and a touch of natural sweetness from corn and caramelized onions…mmmm…what was I saying? I seemed to drift off there… Continue reading Cornbread Pudding
Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday. For a cook, there is nothing quite so satisfying as planning, cooking, and serving up a feast to your family or friends. One giant meal for the day, with lots of nibbling and snacking in between. I look forward to that first stolen bite of turkey, the privilege of which… Continue reading Thanksgiving Round-up
she cooks...he cleans 