Recent Posts

Cooking Fundamentals: Fresh Pasta

February 9, 2014June 28, 2017 eggs, Italian, pasta

Making homemade fresh pasta can be intimidating. It seems (like pastry) to be a skill/technique that signifies an advanced home cook. Many argue that it isn't worth the effort, with all the high quality pastas in stores these days. And while it's true, there are ample supplies of high quality... Read More

Italy Sangiovese Tasting Wine

2011 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico

February 9, 2014September 9, 2016

I wish I had more to say about tonight's wine. I'm a fan of Chianti Classico, it's one of my favorites for pairing with food, and Chianti Classicos are relative values in the wine world. Tonight's wine was reasonably priced and tasty. That's about as far as I can... Read More

✷ Mains Recipe

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza AKA Italian Pie

February 9, 2014September 1, 2016 Italian, Mains, pizza

My husband is not happy with me. Originally from New York, he's angry that Chicago-style deep dish is called pizza at all, and while he happily ate dinner tonight, I am apparently in the dog-house for my traitorous behavior. To save my marriage, I must begin this post by stating... Read More

Breakfast How To

Cooking Fundamentals: Scrambled Eggs

February 8, 2014September 1, 2016 eggs

For years, I hated scrambled eggs. Dry, rubbery, chalky, watery, there are a lot of ways scrambled eggs can go wrong. Bad scrambled eggs are just plain bad, which is unfortunate, because good scrambled eggs are not only delicious, they're super easy to make. Some people like their scrambled... Read More

Orlando Personal Restaurants

Outstanding In The Field, A Farm To Table Feast

January 19, 2014July 20, 2016

Yesterday was a first for me. My first farm to table meal actually served on a farm, outside, at a very large table, yes, my very first Outstanding In The Field. If you haven't heard of OITF before, it is a moveable dinner party/feast, started in 1999, held at farms... Read More

Riesling Tasting USA Wine

2011 Ravines Wine Cellars Dry Riesling

January 19, 2014September 9, 2016

Ah, Riesling, that darling of grapes which seems to point so clearly to its region of origin. I enjoy just about every expression of Riesling I find, yet there is no denying that Rieslings from France, Germany, California and New York are so clearly defined in style, it seems... Read More

Breads and Baking Breakfast Recipe

Perfect Holiday Breakfast – Craquelin

December 22, 2013September 1, 2016 baking, bread, breakfast, brioche, sweets

Until a few months ago, I had never heard of craquelin. Then I received a loaf through the Zingerman's Culinary Adventure Society food club and was hooked. I ate the craquelin greedily and was bound and determined to make my own. Craquelin is basically the Belgian play on brioche, adding... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Tasting USA Wine

2007 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

December 22, 2013September 9, 2016

In California, there are several regions where Cabernet Sauvignon is grown. The big daddy of these regions is the Napa Valley. Lots of famous wines and wineries are in Napa and the Cabernets here command some of the highest prices in the US, and even the world. But within Napa,... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Tasting USA Wine

2009 Newton Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon

December 4, 2013September 9, 2016

Holy crap, it's December already. I got so caught up with Thanksgiving, houseguests and entertaining, that I didn't get to blog at all during the holiday. Fortunately though, I'm back, and while you'll have to wait for next year before I post on the joys of a dry-brined free-range... Read More

Recipe Side Dishes Veggies and Salads

Classic Cole Slaw

November 26, 2013September 1, 2016 salad, sides, vegetables

It's the fall, heading towards winter. Thanksgiving is upon us and Christmas is on the way, but people, I live in Florida. It's still hot here. In fact, the fall and winter months are some of the best Florida has to offer - lots of sunshine, warm days, low humidity,... Read More