Q: What’s the best way for a very inexperienced cook to learn about spices and how to mix them?
A: There are really three ways I can answer this question. The first would take up a book: The Complete Book of Spices: A Practical Guide to Spices and Aromatic Seeds, which someone else wrote. The second [...]
Tag Archives: recipe
Burning Questions: How can I build complex flavors from simple ingredients?
Posted in Ingredient, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, tomato, tomato sauce Also tagged flavors, spices, tomato sauce 3 Comments
It’s not a failure if you end on a good note
Let’s get it out of the way: I’m sorry. I feel like such an irresponsible blogger, especially since I started with such promise, such lofty goals. Teach myself how to really cook, I said. Learn about food fundamentals through study, practice, and writing about it, the very act of articulation enough to instill in myself [...]
Posted in Memoir, black beans, cheddar cheese, essay, flour tortillas, garlic, monterey jack cheese, onion, salt Also tagged black beans, burrito, weekly review 4 Comments
Weekend pause (mid-day)
Weekends are tough. Not for dinner. There’s time for dinner. And certainly time for breakfast. Weekend mornings are great for breakfast. A slow prep in a well-lighted kitchen, the house waking into itself. We enjoy the scent of freshly brewed coffee and have time enough to pause and enjoy [...]
Posted in bell pepper, fennel, grill, provolone cheese, shave, slice Also tagged bell pepper, fennel, provolone cheese, sandwich, vegetarian 2 Comments
Simple decadence: chocolate covered strawberries
Let’s say you’re done with dinner. Let’s say your wife has taken the baby to bed, and let’s say your daughter has holed up in her room to watch American Idol. Or the Jonas Brothers. Or Drake and Josh. Or something. And let’s say you’ve made a note to pay [...]
For simplicity’s sake
Fresh citrus fennel salad
Ingredients (serves 4)
2 medium fennel bulbs, greens attached
4 teaspoons lemon juice
8 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 + 1 teaspoons orange zest
Technique
shave
mix
Shave the fennel using a mandolin or other slicer. Trim the fennel greens and give them a fine chop. Stir together in a large bowl.
In a small [...]
Posted in fennel, lemon juice, olive oil, orange zest, salt Also tagged fennel, lemon juice, salad, vegetarian 6 Comments