The cilantro we planted in our garden around Memorial Day, has already started to bolt some from the heat in recent weeks–it is nearly July after all–and shortly will start to go to seed. Those seeds, as you may or may not know, are coriander. They will first be plump and bright green, a wonderful… Continue reading Cardamom and Coriander Soda Syrup
Month: June 2011
Chew on this.
“Cardamom is one of the most ethereal aromas.” –Harold McGee, “Thinking About Flavor” lecture, in the Alchemy of Taste and Smell conference, November 2010, Astor Center, NYC
Fresh Strawberry Pie
So here is another recipe handed down from Catherine the Great. No, not the Empress of Russia, but my maternal grandmother–one of my first cooking influences, and for whom I am named. I make this pie at least once a year. I can’t keep myself from it as soon as I see quarts of local… Continue reading Fresh Strawberry Pie
Sorrel Pistou and Fresh Ricotta Crostini
With sorrel in its tangy, bright abundance at the farmers’ markets now and throughout the summer, this pistou (or pesto or coulis) is a dynamite way to show it off. Set out a platter of baguette slices, ricotta, and the green stuff and let your BBQ guests at it for a DIY appetizer. Less work… Continue reading Sorrel Pistou and Fresh Ricotta Crostini
Chew on this.
“I don’t think you can be a good cook unless you can appreciate where the ingredients come from, and the only way you can really appreciate that is to get your hands into growing at least some of the food you’re cooking.” – Rick Bayless, Chef, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo restaurants, Cookbook Author, and Host… Continue reading Chew on this.
Market Watch: Sorrel
Sorrel (and its many varieties and names: garden sorrel, english sorrel, common sorrel, french sorrel) is showing up now in abundance at farmers markets and in gardens. It is a perennial (it comes back each year) herb, with super tender leaves that pack a ton of vitamins C and A. It is incredibly easy to… Continue reading Market Watch: Sorrel
happysorrelmonday.
vibrant sorrel thriving in our garden. The sheep love sorrel too. (Good fences make good neighbors.) Chin scratch heaven: Sorrel? Who needs sorrel?
What I’m cooking this weekend.
a dog day of late spring. Sparkling Panakam: This recipe from Heidi Swanson’s (101cookbooks.com) new book Super Natural Every Day, is for a sparkling, spiced Indian beverage, certain to refresh between weeding turns in the gardens. With lime, ginger cardamom and salt, it is described on Epicurioius.com as “a frosty cold, light, bright ginger beer”.… Continue reading What I’m cooking this weekend.
Rhubarb Rosemary “Affogato”
Now I know my Italian affogato-loving purists will find the title of my recipe sacrilegious. Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, and the classic Affogato dessert is really named affogato al cafe or “drowned in coffee”. It is a shot of hot espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. When I first had it,… Continue reading Rhubarb Rosemary “Affogato”
Market Watch: Green Almonds
Recently I was in the Batali/Bastianich Italian food megastore Eataly in NYC. Always a recipe-provoking stop, particularly mid-week when not utterly tourist-jammed and you can actually see the counters and food. The variety of food and ingredient offerings is as impressive as the block-wide size of this culinary cathedral. Rarely do I go there and… Continue reading Market Watch: Green Almonds
Chew on this.
“Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.” — Wendell Berry