Eat your (garden) enemy: Dandelion Greens, Prosciutto and Chicken Pasta

Dandelion greens add a pleasant bitter bite—and loads of nutrients—to this weeknight-quick pasta. Recipe below.

Last week, we cooked with ramps acquired at a supermarket, of all places. That same trip yielded fresh dandelion greens. While long a staple of farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurant menus, their recentish appearance in mainstream grocery store produce departments surprises me a little. It also impresses me. Supermarkets are increasingly getting the way we eat—or at least aspire to. Continue reading “Eat your (garden) enemy: Dandelion Greens, Prosciutto and Chicken Pasta” →

A wild onion, in season right now: Linguine with Ramps and Shrimp

Garlicky, oniony ramps—”wild leeks”—star in this simple, seasonal pasta dish. Recipe below.

Farmers markets seem to be leaking into supermarkets. Or at least influencing the better ones. There is more emphasis on seasonal and locally grown in the produce section—like at farmers markets. The most recent example for us was this past weekend at our neighborhood Mariano’s. They had ramps. Hyper-seasonal, local, often foraged ramps. Continue reading “A wild onion, in season right now: Linguine with Ramps and Shrimp” →

In season now: Fresh peas star in Fettuccine with Peas and Prosciutto

Barely sautéed fresh peas bring the taste of spring to Fettuccine with Peas and Prosciutto, with fresh cream and Parmesan adding a subtle richness. Recipe below.

FRESH PEAS ARE JUST STARTING TO SHOW UP IN THE PRODUCE SECTION. I know this because there are some fresh sugar snap peas in our fridge right now that were expecting to become this week’s post. Next week, I promise, you will see those peas here in a new recipe. This week, their delicious brethren English peas appear in a quick, delicious pasta dish that tastes like spring. [Read more here…]

Simple French cuisine to the rescue: Braised Chicken with Scallion Purée

This rustic French dish with a base of coarsely puréed scallions and potatoes is perfect for when April isn’t playing nice—as it wasn’t in April 2009, when we first shared this recipe.

The kitchen in our new old house is still half-assembled, but functional. The meals we’re cooking are still mostly functional as well—good, filling, but not necessarily post-worthy. So while we’re still getting things under control, culinarily and otherwise, please enjoy this recipe inspired by a lovely Amanda Hesser cookbook we haven’t managed to unpack yet. [Read more here…]

Moving, cheats and getting food on the table

Unlike many things, moving doesn’t get easier the more you do it. If anything, it gets harder. As much as we love waking up every day in our new old house, life is still makeshift on a daily basis. Besides living among not always well-labeled boxes here, we’re still vacating our apartment of nine years. We’re working around the contractor finishing up things. We’re dealing with disappearing cats when the contractor leaves doors open (the cat was found—in a closed vanity drawer, of course). And we’re getting up and going to work every day. So instead of a fresh recipe this week, you’ll be getting a confessional post of sorts. Continue reading “Moving, cheats and getting food on the table” →

Yes, it’s Matzoh Crack season again

Marion’s addictive Passover dessert, made with white and semi-sweet chocolates, and spicy rose sugar, makes a delicious return. Recipe and variations below.

We moved last Saturday, probably more of an evacuation than an actual move. We love our new old home, but both it and our lives are a little too chaotic right now to sensibly cook and post something new. With Passover a little more than a week away, sharing Marion’s popular Matzoh Crack seemed like the perfect idea. [Read more here…]

Fridge (and pantry) raid: Chicken Lentil Soup

Chicken, lentils and things you probably already have on hand turn into a quick, hearty, healthy soup. Recipe below.

So, we’re moving. Not to another city or anything, and we’ve certainly moved plenty of times in our lives. But what has turned this into a huge monster of a time- and life-consuming project is that we’re moving into a house that needed everything when we found it. Plumbing. Electric. HVAC. Walls built, moved or removed. And most important, perhaps, work to make sure the house will continue to stand as it has since probably the 1880s. Continue reading “Fridge (and pantry) raid: Chicken Lentil Soup” →

A simple classic pasta, suddenly very much on trend: Cacio e Pepe

With only four ingredients—spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, salt and black pepper—this rustic Roman favorite is enjoying a moment. Recipe below.

I rarely find myself ahead of the curve on anything. When I first shared my version of cacio e pepe—a popular favorite in Roman trattorias—five years ago today, it was adapted from a cookbook published back in 2002. So imagine my surprise when the humble four-ingredient pasta started lighting up the Internet a couple of months ago. Continue reading “A simple classic pasta, suddenly very much on trend: Cacio e Pepe” →

Again with no recipes

Oscar Wilde said, “Work is the curse of the drinking classes.” We agree.

We’re working too hard and eating more than our share of takeout food these days. The big mystery project that has been consuming our lives for far too long continues. Happily, in the next few weeks, it should reach some sort of semi-completion, and we will be posting new recipes again. In the meantime, some random blathering. Continue reading “Again with no recipes” →

Voting, Polish sausage sandwiches and my very American day

Tuesday was the Illinois primary. Our polling place is in our neighborhood public school, which is predominantly Latino. School was starting as I cast my ballot, and over the PA system, two kindergartners from the bilingual program led the school in singing the national anthem. Then the assistant principal, Mrs. Trinidad Lopez, read the morning announcements. Friday is Pajama Day. Monday, the classroom with the best attendance for this week will be announced. I always feel very American when I vote. This time, I felt especially so. Continue reading “Voting, Polish sausage sandwiches and my very American day” →