Come to think of it, I’m not sure why a spinach pie is associated with Easter, but I’ve made it as the first course of Easter dinner for past 10 years –probably more. The ingredients are available year-round, but the flavor is so fresh and, well, green, that I guess people associate it with the coming […]
Food
This is the second in a series about great food you can make very quickly. Again, the rules of Speedy Gourmet: a complete entree you can make in no longer than fifteen minutes using just five ingredients (water, salt, pepper and basic cooking fats don’t count). And this one’s a French classic. In fact, the […]
When our friend Sandra and her daughter Martine were visiting from New Orleans last week, Sandra took a sip of her cocktail and told me, “I love your food, but give me something truly easy to make for dinner –with just four ingredients. You can name the post ‘The Lazy Gourmet’ –after me.” (Martine just […]
No, they’re not homemade Tater Tots. They’re arancini (literally, “little oranges” in Italian) –mandarin orange-sized balls of risotto with a gooey cheese center and an outer shell that’s deep fried to crispy perfection. Not exactly spa food, but an outrageously delicious snack to enjoy in moderation. And also a great way to use leftover risotto, which […]
As our daughter Julia keeps reminding us, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so it’s high time to make those dinner reservations. Or maybe not. Restaurants are crowded, servers are harried, kitchens are pressed and diners are rushed. The chances of disappointment run pretty high. So why not feed the flames of passion with […]
Julia’s got her first calendar, she’s marked February 14th with a big heart, and she’s started wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day. She may be jumping the gun, but it isn’t too early to start planning Valentine’s Day treats for the ones we love. This is one of Julia’s favorites. One of the many unexpected […]
Butterscotch used to be my least favorite sundae topping. Ok, maybe it was tied for last place with strawberry sauce, but hot fudge or butterscotch? Caramel or butterscotch? No contest. Most commercial butterscotch sauce is so sweet it short-circuits your taste buds and makes your teeth hurt –and it’s not very buttery (or Scotchy) at […]
I know this dish may seem a little strange. But bear with me — citrus risotto isn’t some odd sweet-and-sour rice porridge. It’s an elegant dish that beautifully balances tart, creamy, salty and sweet flavors. And it can turn simply cooked seafood into a very special meal. It’s a delicious complement for shrimp or scallops, […]
The Holidays are over. And it’s cold. Really cold. One of the great consolations of winter, though (and from people who know a lot about winter) is Swiss cheese fondue. It’s so simple –really just good cheese melted into wine– and yet it’s one of the most outrageously delicious and completely satisfying things I’ve ever […]