Roast chicken is a typical Sunday dinner in our home, but this weekend I was lucky enough to make pheasant given to me by a friend who knows I love wild game. This recipe for Roasted Illinois Scottish Pheasants with Dates and Apricots from my go-to cooking site, Epicurious, turned out beautifully and would work … Continue reading Roasted Pheasants with Dates and Apricots
Cooking
Happy Thanksgiving
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder Clockwise from top left: (1) maple glazed apple crostata, recipe here (2) firewood (3) wild turkeys at Menemsha Inn, Martha's Vineyard (4) acorns collected from our treasured oaks (5) a favorite wine (6) … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving
Breaking the Breakfast Rut
I have a confession. Most mornings my breakfast consists of a peanut butter Think Thin bar and three cups of black coffee. Awful, right? Like everyone else, I'm usually rushing to get to a meeting or a workout and have zero time or inclination to get creative. Last week I ran across a recipe for … Continue reading Breaking the Breakfast Rut
A Rustic Thanksgiving
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Meeting an Idol
The next few weeks are filled with events I am giddy about, and attending a talk and book signing with my culinary idol, Ina Garten, is at the top of my list. So much of what I know about cooking and entertaining (outside of what I learned growing up in the kitchens of my mother … Continue reading Meeting an Idol
Apple Season
Our recent apple picking trip left me dreaming of a fall-inspired weekend gathering with apples taking center stage. I'm not sure how it will start (possibly with this apple brandy and cider cocktail), but I know it's going to end with this warm maple syrup glazed apple crostata and the requisite topping of vanilla ice … Continue reading Apple Season
Soul Food
I probably should have ordered a pizza, thrown on pajamas and crawled into bed (and not necessarily in that order), but I needed some sort of happy ending to my crummy day and knew this easy fall dinner would do the trick. Set oven at 425. Divide and gut two acorn squash. But please watch … Continue reading Soul Food
Friday Night in the Kitchen
Cooking with a partner is seriously fun. My son learned how to make gnocchi in his home arts class recently, so he took the lead in the kitchen last night, showing me how easy (and messy!) it is to make these soft little Italian dumplings. We loosely followed this Mario Batali recipe: Ingredients 3 pounds … Continue reading Friday Night in the Kitchen
A Weekend in Autumn
Things have been too busy for my comfort level as of late, so I am really looking forward to the weekend. I plan on taking the mutt for long walks, swapping cotton for cashmere and wool in closets and on sofas, trying this lighter version of cassoulet: taking these maple pumpkin cupcakes to a get … Continue reading A Weekend in Autumn
Farmers Market Friday: Peach and Blackberry Shortcakes
It seems it's been forever since I've had time to mess around in the kitchen and I've really been missing it. Luckily today is wide open so I am spending it doing what I love most. My morning was spent at the farmers market where I found beautiful little patty pan squash, succulent peaches, and … Continue reading Farmers Market Friday: Peach and Blackberry Shortcakes
the aesthete and the dilettante 