I’ve been traveling for the past week and it sure feels good to be back home. Back in my own kitchen and bed. While it’s always a treat to eat out (especially when visiting Chicago, one of my favorite cities), it’s actually not something I do very often. Although, it is nice every once in … Continue Reading
Was doing some research for an article on grain-based Mediterranean soups when I came across farinata di cavalo nero (kale and polenta soup). I was instantly intrigued. Essentially, an Italian [Tuscan] porridge-like soup made with polenta/cornmeal and kale, more specifically Tuscan kale, also known as lacinato or dinosaur kale. And since, for some reason, I had … Continue Reading
In undertaking some desperately needed spring cleaning of my fridge this morning, I noticed that I had accumulated several bags of polenta (all now half-full) and a bag of grits buried in the freezer. I had also amassed several ziplock bags full of frozen shrimp shells. Always save the shrimp shells (and heads, if you … Continue Reading
I’m not usually this ahead of the game. Still a week out from Thanksgiving and am already menu planning. Typically, I’m trying to figure this out the day before or the day of. Organization is not my forte. From a food standpoint, Thanksgiving is all about the turkey (and giving thanks, of course). For me, … Continue Reading
I’ve recently gotten into the PBS series Mind of a Chef, which premiered in November 2012 (have quite a few seasons to binge watch). The series combines travel, cooking, history, science and humor. Each season brings with it new chefs and recipes. It’s interesting to learn how each chef’s cultural identity, family upbringing, and sense of place have … Continue Reading
