What now? My quandary resembled de Kooning’s Untitled XI — one of his “20 new canvases”completed at 71 years old. What’s next? What is my passion? My answers and inspiration come from going outside myself… the Art Institute of Chicago my muse. I put …
After my last year’s flop at making a Rhubarb Gallette…once again I could not resist the staunch scarlet stalks at the Green City Farmers Market. There was a recipe in the Italy Issue of Bon Appétit for “Rhubarb and Raspberry Crostata” by Karen DeMasco. I was ready, a year had passed since my last foray …
Lazy days of summer hit Chicago like a brick Monday. Suddenly everything is green. Rooftop boxes are sown with plants and herbs kept inside for weeks because of the cold. Boat sails dot the lake, bikes fill the paths, lawn trimmers buzz, the air is humid and tweets say… get out and play. This is …
To celebrate Summer, her beautiful garden and her Leo birthday, Flora gives a Garden Party for her friends, varied as the flowers in her garden. A gargantuan effort of a party bursting with sunshine, guests, flowers, umbrella-tables, wine and food. “What can I bring?” “A fruit salad would be wonderful and would give us a …
Flags, drums, parades, music, celebration in the neighborhoods, the parks, the beaches. Fireworks, picnics, watermelon, silly games and three-legged races, buffets of favorite recipes, families, children, friends,neighbors, a holiday giddy with anticipation and full of freedom. A time to celebrate our independent, free thinking, generous county, full of beauty and bounty, and honor the pursuit …
Radish, one of my first loves. My first crop as a six year old urban farmer. How hard it was to choose the seeds, looking at the abundant array of choices displayed at the hardware store. Each envelope held a tablespoon of seeds, with the promise of magic. Radish seeds are small, skinny, smaller than …
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Les Brown. Olivia graduated Sunday from Columbia College in Chicago, with her BA in Marketing. Her mom said, “Great honey, for your first event, produce your graduation party!” Following a family tradition of deep delegation—Olivia assigned the menu. I was to bring …
Human beings cannot manufacture Vitamin C in our bodies–— and we need constant replenishment of this vitamin from dietary sources. With this photo I’m thinking of Lestat and constant replenishment….but not to digress, it doesn’t have to be a blood orange, the flesh of a single naval orange will do, with only 64 calories, it …
It’s kisses one misses. You can get a lei —any day. But sweet kisses one misses. Want to keep your honey heart-healthy and fit? “Super Foods” kale and cranberries transmit… a heart-healthy treat. Need I repeat? “We are what we eat!” Kale & Kisses (tomato and cranberry) 3 cups of chopped kale, remove stems, chop …
“Stars and Stripes” Dessert … And “Over 21″ Independence Day Jello-Shots**. Continue reading »
Direct and to the point… What have you got? We came to teach them how to make a Corned Beef Colcannon and celebrate Jamie’s Birthday… LET’S GO SHOPPING. RUSH back and get the pickling spices mixed with a bottle of beer and enough water to cover corned beef, fat side up. Bring to a boil … Continue reading »
Heart Throb… How many hearts did you break? How many songs did it take? VALENTINE IT’S YOU! How many times, no clue— How many promises to be true? “Don’t be a fool, eat pasta fazool.” In the mood to brood? Change your attitude… With John’s Hearty comfort food. JOHN’S “HEARTY” PASTA FAZOOL INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons butter, divided … Continue reading »
Thank you dear readers. May 2013 be filled with love, prosperity, good health and joy! The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: 4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 51,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this … Continue reading »
This Strufolli recipe is for Anthony. Anthony commented on my Struffoi recipe…and gave me a great laugh. I ordered the Struffoli balls and didn’t make them… for Easter. Now it’s Christmas and time to make them again. Anthony’s Comment: “They look wonderful, but there’s no recipe! Go to an Italian bakery and BUY them? That’s … Continue reading »
Wild Peonies Now at their peak in glorious full bloom Too precious to pick Too precious not to pick. —Ryokan Ah ha… the fork in the road. To quote Yogi Berra, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it!” And so dear readers, I have decided to post my blog randomly. To … Continue reading »
I decided to take the Scarlet solution… think about it tomorrow. And capture the romance of the accessory, sometimes called the garnish. In this case the wispy chive flower, packing an unexpected texture and flavor surprise in the Vichyssoise Spring Chill Asparagus Vichyssoise *this Recipe adapted from a recipe from Taste Restaurant, Seattle Museum 1½ … Continue reading »
