Crispy, chewy, toothy texture with an echo of ginger! Smart snack-attack food, appetizer or main meal star. “According to folklore, the magic words “Open sesame!” came from the sesame seed pod—which bursts open when ripe— and that when the gods created the world… they drank sesame seed wine! Black sesame seeds contain about 60% more … Continue reading
Evocative. Stacked. Still on the stalk. Roast Brussel Sprouts on the stalk? And after they’re roasted? A fantasy base for an appetizer tree. But…the Reality Tree!!! Easy to topple and your guests could cut themselves removing the sprouts. But if perseverance prevails… Roasted Brussel Sprout Log With Maple-Lime Glaze 1 Brussel Sprout Log, cut off … Continue reading
Tara called and said, “Jump on a train, we’ll try some new recipes and enjoy my garden. We’ll start with Spring Rolls.” I’ve never made Spring Rolls. Alongside the flowers in planters… Tara planted herbs, which we used in the spring rolls. Tara did the cooking. I took pictures, ate, talked, listened and learned. First … Continue reading
Last night I had zucchini dreams. The beautiful zucchini blossoms have produced a bumper crop of squash and I was given 2 giant zucchini from Kristin’s Kitchen Garden. They haunted me. The day before, I read in the Chicago Tribune about the new USDA food pyramid rules. People are starting to talk about all the … Continue reading
Is it the groceries, the garden or the beach? Which one gets my attention today? Do you think I’m going to let the groceries get me— never? But the garden? The garden keeps me from the beach. Each morning I peruse the yard picking up stray papers, sticks, mini-branches from critters frolicking the night before—and … Continue reading
Spring in Chicago brings out the grills. Although, many Chicagoans bundled in jackets, boots and gloves never put their grills away, the sit-outside-season starts with the first sunny-over-60°-day or the onset of the Cubs and White Sox home games. John and Nancy have their garden started under-wraps and the grill going as they bounce on … Continue reading
Ryan and his friends, Jeff and Nick, visited last week over Spring break and Jeff wanted something stuffed for lunch—the way Chicago is known for overstuffing…pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef, corned beef. After the River Architectural Tour we headed for Gino’s East Home of the Stuffed Pizza and they were overstuffed! Stuffed was still on … Continue reading
The Easter Bunny might need earmuffs. The air is chill. Think daffodil. I think of Shattone. Do I make it alone? Or edit my book in progress, keep the recipe for the book and make an Italian Roasted Veggie Stew… So good for me and you. Italian Roasted Veggie Stew 1 large red bell pepper, … Continue reading
Saint Patrick’s Day is this week, in Chicago that means a celebration with an Irish party and parade!!! St Joseph’s Day is this week, in Chicago that means another celebration with a procession and an Italian St. Joseph’s Table, a table of abundance to be shared. The Story Week Festival of Writers on Genre Bending … Continue reading
Berries are good for the brain. And you’re going to need your brain for this post! Animal studies have shown that consumption of a diet rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents like those found in blueberries and blackberries, cranberries, Concord grape juice, pomegranates, cherries, purple grapes, and strawberries may lower the risk of developing age … Continue reading
Italian Handful 