Sea salt caramels aside, Americans have been slow to warm to the idea of combining savory and sweet. There are occasional exceptions, like fruit-based salsas, or honey-mustard combinations, and of course sweet molasses-y barbecue sauces. But whenever I talk about things like, say, the classic French noisettes de porc aux prunes, which is an out-of-this-world [...]
Tagged apples, cauliflower, soupSome years we have a traditional American Thanksgiving meal at my house. Turkey, dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, green salad, pie, relish tray, that sort of thing. And some years we don’t. A couple years ago, I made a dim sum Thanksgiving, with lots of different kinds of dumplings and steamed things and fried things. [...]
Tagged beans, cabbage, pork, sauerkrautOnce you’ve got your supply of shelled, washed, cooked beans, what next? There are so many options it’s honestly hard to know where to begin, but here are two of my favorites. For beans that will lend themselves readily to Tex-Mex, Cajun, and many Southeastern US style meals, stew your cooked beans with a large [...]
Tagged beans, Garden, garlic, sage, salsa, tomatoesFor lots of people, hot and sour soup is something that comes from Chinese restaurants, as if it were a magical commodity that could only be generated in those specific and exotic precincts. (Perhaps from a special faucet, in the back.) Fortunately for you — especially if you live somewhere that is not rich in [...]
This is some crazy weather, isn’t it? Batidas — buy some frozen fruit. What kind? What kind do you like? There’s always frozen guava pulp in my freezer, that much I can tell you. But strawberries are delicious and easier to find at the grocery store. Puree the frozen fruit in a blender. Add cachaca [...]
‘Cause dayyum, it’s hot out there. 1. Flavored Waters — I see them for sale in the shops and I think “I may really be incapable of understanding how far people will go to avoid doing something that is nearly effortless to begin with.” Because $1.49 for 20 ounces of water with a little mint [...]
Tagged too hot to cookHere is a list of 20 things to make and eat when it is too hot to cook. 1. Balela — drain and rinse some canned cooked chickpeas and some black beans, mince half an onion or so and a couple cloves of garlic, roughly chop a big bunch of parsley, dice a few ripe [...]
This is what happens when I take my own advice. It could be what happens when you take my advice too, if you’re so inclined. Have some greens along with it. We had steamed gai lan. Fantastic.
Tagged chicken, home cooking, wednesday's supperThis is one of those dinners that is not for the kind of person who is afraid of mixing things on the plate. I caramelized zucchini in a tablespoon of olive oil with whole cloves of garlic — a medium heat, with infrequent stirring and a good stout pan, will get it done in a [...]
Tagged chiles, cucumber, dog, Eggs, garlic, monday's supper, pickles, saladsWhooboy, it’s been a time around here, chickens. I’m deep, deep in the crunch, though not yet in the weeds thank God, with a book deadline July 15. So if postings get a little catch-as-catch can, fear not, it’s just that the book has eaten my head, my hands, and probably my cooking time, as [...]
Tagged chard, leafy greens, Mexican, monday's supper, pickles, pork