Tuesday, February 4, 2014

I ate my share of salads when I was a kid thanks to my home-cooking mom. There were always a slew of dressings on the table from which to choose in our family of six with flavors such as Italian, Ranch, French, Thousand Island, and the like. You know, all those bottled dressings kids enjoy, a sugary-salty sauce to make the…

Thursday, January 30, 2014

When it comes to the Super Bowl, everyone loves the game-day classics, usually including such things as chili, nachos, and pizza. I’m no different, so last year I jumped on the bandwagon with a round-up of a few of my personal favorites here. But no matter what you’re serving, I’ll go out on a limb and say chips are on the…

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

After traveling for many weeks throughout India, all I did was eat Indian food. (Obviously.) Now, while I love the spicy, flavorful dishes of the Asian subcontinent as much as anyone—adore it, really—any cuisine gets old after a month in my humble opinion. That’s probably why my own kitchen creations include dishes from all the world over, Mexican to Moroccan, to keep my taste…

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I’m a firm believer that one has the entire month of January to wish people a happy new year. Hence today’s post, where my words arrive in a brilliant tapestry of richly hued marigolds, a photo I took in India where I was traveling these past weeks. And I’ll bet that not many of my regular readers receive new year…

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

With its covertly packaged ruby red seeds that yield a surprising crunch, a burst of sweet-tart juice dancing on your tongue, Punica granatum is a fruit unlike any other. It’s been cultivated since ancient times, a favorite in both Greece and Egypt, and is used in many different cuisines. It also has spiritual symbolism in numerous religions thus finds a special…

Monday, December 23, 2013

Looking for traditional dairy-based nog? Click here. — With the growing awareness of the environmental challenges associated with beef and dairy production, among other concerns, does nog need the dairy? That is the question I sought to answer this holiday season. Don’t get me wrong: I believe in moderation when it comes to most things, and indulging in a cup (or four)…

Saturday, December 21, 2013

When it comes to the holidays, I’m like anyone else, loving my annual cookie baking and eggnog making. Think: butter cookies in two flavors (cranberry pistachio and almond apricot), triple chocolate biscotti, and spicy-sweet gingersnaps. (These are just a small sampling of what’s here on my blog, with many more dishes to inspire here.) Where I am perhaps a little different from others,…

Monday, December 16, 2013

Even the most progressive and modern of cooks will admit to having a recipe for deviled (or “stuffed”) eggs up their sleeve. Just about everyone enjoys this lovely hors d’oeuvre, all the world over. They’re a perennial crowd-pleaser that will be consumed happily by both your forward-thinking foodie friends as well as those with a more traditional palate.  To be clear, there is…

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Because how often can you see William Shatner rap and burn? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t2dwPTnsyA&feature=youtu.be Aye, Captain. Have a happy, healthy, fire-free Thanksgiving.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

A few years back I fell in love with this sublime soup I first experienced at a restaurant serving up modern Indian cuisine in Harvard Square. “Tomato and coconut?” I mused to myself when my (Indian) father-in-law ordered the dish as an appetizer. “Hmmmm … I’m not sure about that.” Of course, what do I know? And it’s unclear why…