food detective
My step-daughter and her chef boyfriend gave me the best cookbook for Christmas, Prune by Gabrielle Hamilton. I love the way the book appears to be a copy of her cooking manifest for her restaurant, complete with hand written notes in the margins. Personally I read cookbooks like others read novels. I have a stack of cookbooks on my bedside table.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Falling head over heels doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you have crazy good ingredients. Here is a truly decadent dessert that is easy as one, two, three. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth but I make an exception for Pure Madness peppermint bark. It truly is crazy chocolate love. The layers of dark and white chocolate are
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
When my husband and I are empty nesters for Thanksgiving we have a “poultry-free” meal. It is extravagant and decadent. When our offspring come home to roost for the holiday it is a full out Norman-Rockwell-esque extravaganza. Cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is not my idea of a fun time. Too much prep, too many dishes, not enough oven
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
The October issue of Bon Appetit had a feature article on partying like our parents. The take away was that entertaining matters—“that rallying your friends together is essential, that being a generous host is one of the most fulfilling things you can do, and that at the end of the night, it really is worth all the effort.” I couldn’t agree more.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Can’t believe tomorrow is July. That said it is time to get your grill on! One of the things I like best about grilling is that most things need to be marinated and that means prepped and placed in a bag hours ahead of time. Another little secret is that most grilled meats should sit for at least fifteen minutes. And if that’s the case then why not
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
There are times when your battery is so low it’s unable to hold a charge. Last week my husband and I headed west to our house in the desert. It wasn’t until the third day that I realized how utterly drained I’ve been. This long winter has had more than it’s share of loss. Each time I’ve attempted to apply myself to some project I’ve succeeded only
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Dayton Daily News asked if I would be an entertaining expert on a column about throwing the best Super Bowl Party. I had to laugh- me providing insight to the mother of all football gatherings. In all my years of entertaining I don’t think I’ve ever had a Super Bowl party. I don’t even really watch that much TV let alone have a man-cave setup with
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food detective
Nothing beats Saturday night supper for four. As fortune would have it my husband and I were invited for such a dinner last weekend. And to up the ante, not only were our host and hostess delightful friends but incredible cooks. Simmering bolognese greeted us we entered, letting us know we were in for a real treat. But what caught me by surprise
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food detective
The other day I was pushing my cart down the frozen food aisle at Trader Joes when my eye spied the most adorable carrots. These frozen little gems looked just like teeny pumpkins in a frost. I had a flashback to my catering days in the 1970’s when turned vegetables (or tournage de legumes) were all the rage. If you’ve never turned a vegetable you
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Homegrown tomatoes still grace the shelves at the market though there is a distinct chill in the air. And while it’s not quite sweater weather I find myself craving comfort food. Time to figure out a way to bridge the seasons with a meal that is as comforting as cashmere but light enough to stand up to these last nights of Indian summer. I adore
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →