When we were little, my sister, grandmother and I would make jams and jellies. Huge, bubbling pots of sticky, sweet compote. Usually strawberry, always delicious. Over the years I have moved away from canning of any kind. I don’t want to deal with pectin or with disinfecting jars. And while I constantly toy with the […]
Chili is always an after thought in our house. I’ve cooked it once in my life and probably only eaten it a few more times. But, once a year when the Super Bowl rolls around, it seems like a logical dish to make for chilly weather and large, ornery, beer swilling crowds On a recent […]
The Gourmet: An old friend of mine, let’s call him A, was recently given a three hour one on one cooking class with a local chef for his birthday. Before the class the Chef, Scott Pampuch of Corner Table Restaurant in Minneapolis, assessed my friends skill level and asked him to come up with five questions, techniques, anything really that he would […]
The Gourmet: As I am in the midst of a new year and a new job this week’s menu will be short and sweet (and sauer). Growing up there were few recipes that I looked forward to more than Pork and Sauerkraut. My sister and I would eagerly anticipate Sunday nights, which often saw my […]
The Gourmet: A few months ago we said goodbye to both of my grandparents. After 62 years of marriage they both passed away. First my grandfather and then five days later, as we were all trying to pull ourselves together, my grandmother. It was horrible and sad and in a way the most romantic […]
The Gourmet: This week’s Weekly Menu Spotlight is an old favorite of mine. I hesitated to post about Jamie Oliver yet again, but I love his recipe for Mixed Mushroom Risotto. I always find risotto to be one of the most satisfying meals to prepare (and to eat). I think in an odd way the chopping and […]