I love tea, but am just not a fan of flavored tea, with its clashing fruity or cloying, perfumy permutations. There are, however, big exceptions: chai, and tea with mint and cardamom. The latter is quite refreshing, whether it’s served hot or cold. Excellent as an accompaniment for lunch or dinner, especially with Mediterranean or […]
Tag Archives: recipe
Fresh pea soup with leeks & mint
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
It’s now the peak of the pea season in our backyard. For me it’s the sweet announcement that Spring has arrived. Peapod from Climbing Sugar Snap. I have bad memories of split-pea soup from childhood. Pasty, with chunks of nasty ham. Blech. But soup made from fresh peas? That is a completely different creature.
Soda lemonade / limeade (soda chanh)
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Several years ago during a blistering Summer, I had this drink at a Vietnamese restaurant. Soda chanh tuoi (a.k.a., soda chanh duong, or simply soda chanh), or soda lemonade as it’s often listed on menus, is usually made with limes, but it also tastes good with lemons. This drink is Most Revitalizing on hot days, […]
Variations on hot chocolate
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Hot chocolate is great for dessert, or as comfort on a cold evening. One of my favorite chocolate drink experiences was at Ladurée in Paris: Just barely sweet and thick, slowly and happily relished. My opinion of hot chocolate mixes here in the United States has ranged from kinda interested to very disappointed. It can […]
Apricot chutney
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
It sure doesn’t look like the first day of Spring. With the rain today, I worry that the apricot tree won’t set fruit this year. The vast majority of the blossoms are over, and most of the leaves have come out. That was fast; but then again, the blooming and fruiting periods of Blenheims are […]
Vanilla sugar
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Vanilla sugar has a deeper flavor than vanilla extracts or essences, somehow more fruity and spicy to my tastebuds, more interesting. Sure, you can buy vanilla sugar. But making it at home is easy, and costs a lot less. The results can last for months by the clever continual addition of sugar. 🙂 You’ll have […]
No-bake Mexican chocolate pots de crème
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
For me chocolate pots de crème is just another variation on chocolate pudding. Okay, a velvety, chocolatey egg custard pudding, to be exact! I had never made this dessert before, until my friends Sonya and Robert (pots de crème pro’s) suggested I try a no-bake method from Cook’s Illustrated. The trick: cook the cream-milk-egg yolk […]
Rice cooked in chicken stock
Saturday, 24 February 2007
I usually cook rice with filtered water and a bit of salt. Maybe I toss in some random herbs or spices, or even a small dollop of olive oil or butter. This recipe is a more luxurious dish, for a special occaision, or simply to complement a strong flavored course or sauce (like the silky […]
Silky red wine & shallots sauce
Saturday, 24 February 2007
I’ve wanted to make a red wine sauce for a long time, especially a sauce not requiring any butter, cream or milk, just to challenge myself. When Simon came home with fresh sturgeon from the farmer’s market, I became inspired. Actually, the root of the inspiration was a sturgeon dish I had at Café Beaujolais […]
Baked macaroni and cheese
Sunday, 21 January 2007
I have this fond memory of the cheesy, creamy goodness of the baked macaroni and cheese from the Netscape cafeteria. That memory cropped up recently, along with the thought, “Hm, it’s been a while since I’ve made or eaten mac-n-cheese.” This recipe is influenced, of course, by others: The one from The Joy of Cooking […]