Respicing

Thursday, February 3, 2011

When I picked a jar of smoked paprika out of the spice drawer in our New York apartment and noticed a sticker that read “Best before 2/2007,” I realized I had, as they say, an opportunity for improvement.  Our spice drawer was a messy jumble of mismatched jars and tins, most of which I had […]

Foil-Baked Chicken with Indian Spice Crust

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

I never tire of eating simple roast chicken, but it’s come to my attention that others can.  (Lately Julia’s been pushing away plates of it. At first I figured it was some childhood food aversion, but now I think it’s just boredom.) Here’s a dish to wake up your palate and get you excited about […]

Boiled Kale on Toast –Really

Thursday, January 27, 2011

I know this dish sounds like something from the menu at a Victorian orphanage.  (I suppose I could call it “Braised Cavolo Nero with Grilled Bread,” but I just can’t write that with a straight face.)  It is what it is, but it’s also a big flavored, delicious, warming winter dish that I love to […]

A Special Side Dish: Braised Fennel

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

This is a side dish that’s worth building a meal around.  In fact, it’s a simple dish that turns a straightforward plate of roasted pork, lamb or chicken, or grilled fish, into something special. The ingredients are few, inexpensive and easily obtained, and the preparation is uncomplicated, but the flavor is extraordinary.  The braising takes […]

Everyday Rio

Monday, January 24, 2011

So much about Rio de Janeiro is spectacular –the monolithic granite mountains that leap from the sea, the jungle that surrounds them (and the shantytowns that climb their sides) and, of course, the long beaches lined with rows of sleek modernist buildings on the land side and a wide band of exuberant human activity at […]

Style, Luxury and Economy: A Proper Shaving Brush

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

We’re on vacation this week in Brasil, and I never appreciate this great piece of gear more than when I’m on the road.  We’ll be away from an internet connection for a couple of days, but when we return to Rio, I’ll update you on some of our experiences in this beautiful country. Originally posted […]

Entry (and an Exit)

Monday, January 17, 2011

We’ve walked through this entryway for nearly two years now.  The time has flown by, but a lot has happened too, including Julia growing from a tiny baby to a walking/talking/singing/dancing little girl with a rapidly expanding vocabulary and a strong mind of her own.  We’ve loved this apartment in West Chelsea, but, if all […]

Fresh Tuna Casserole

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Don’t let the name fool you.  This isn’t a mid-century American canned tuna casserole (although there’s nothing wrong with that) or even a reinterpretation of that beloved everyday dish (although that’s not a bad idea).  This is a delicious way to cook a tuna steak that’s a nice alternative to the grilled or pan-seared preparations […]

Savory Waffles

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Last Valentine’s Day David gave me a waffle iron.  Ordinarily, I don’t think small appliances make good romantic gifts, but David knows that one of the fastest ways to my heart is through a good hot breakfast. Julia feels the same way.  At two, she regularly eats more breakfast than either of us, and “Waffles?” […]

No Tannenbaum: A Cure for the Post Christmas-Tree Blues

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The ornaments are boxed, the needles are vacuumed and the tree is lying at the curb.  The place feels clean and roomy, but also a little bare.  A fresh start for a new year is a good idea, but it always makes me a little sad to take down the Christmas tree. After a few […]

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