This isn’t the first time we’ve made this dish, and it won’t be the last. In How to Cook Everything, Mark Bittman suggests quick glazing carrots in butter or oil with a variety of herbs for a flavorful side dish. You could use dill and lemon juice, brown sugar and walnuts, or maple syrup and pecans. But we especially like... Read more
Well, the other half of The Culinary Couple is writing tonight. I may not have the eloquence of my counterpart, but I do know a thing or two about food. Let’s take oranges, for example. When you think of this sweet citrus, what’s the next thing to come to mind? Probably not fish, but they do have a flavor affinity... Read more
I spent the weekend in New England with my favorite ladies and celebrated the upcoming nuptials of one of my dearest friends. It was a fabulous time, although, admittedly, we partied more like almost-30-year-olds than the spry 18-year-olds we were when we first met. Full recap to come later this week, but let’s first wrap up Challenge Oranges (now that... Read more
We’ve had a busy month. Nick traveled to New York for work while I polished off a pan of brownies. We visited my brother before he returns to London. We hosted a dinner party. We spent a weekend in Virginia. And we completed our second secret ingredient challenge of the year. Challenge Oranges! Obviously orange trees do not grow in... Read more
We met a special little man last weekend. Our friends Brian and Carrie welcomed Aiden into the world in December. He’s the first baby born into Nick’s group of friends (and is also the first grandchild on both sides), and so he enjoys an incredible amount of (well-deserved) love and attention. Brian and Carrie and Aiden live in North Carolina,... Read more
Grill master Steven Raichlen left behind sunny Miami on Saturday for cold, windy, snowy State College. But he made the trip for a very worthy cause. The star of PBS’s Primal Grill and Barbecue University hosted WPSU’s 19th annual Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction. Raichlen brought his knowledge of the world’s barbecue trail – from whole roasted lamb in Argentina to... Read more
We hosted a dinner party on Saturday night. We kept it simple with two types of chili: one with meat and one with black beans and sweet potatoes. Both with lots of grated Monterrey Jack cheese, cilantro, green onions, and sour cream. Nick baked his sourdough bread — a recipe which he has totally mastered. And I flexed my baking... Read more
Due to a last minute trip last weekend to see my brother before he leaves again for London, we kept our Super Bowl festivities to a minimum. While a big pot of tortellini soup simmered on the stove top, we sipped Guinness and snacked on hummus. Just the two of us. In our sweatpants. It was quite cozy, actually. This... Read more
Yes, I’m from Pennsylvania, which means I should be rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. (Nick and his dad and his brothers would prefer that I do.) But I may just have to find a cheesehead hat to wear this weekend. Why? Because I’m rooting for John Kuhn. I’ve known John since middle school. (In fact, he was my... Read more
What happens when a girl is left alone with a pan of brownies? She buys ice cream. At least that’s what I do. Nick suggested we bake brownies on Sunday night. And then he left for New York on Monday. I guarantee the pan will be empty when he gets home on Friday. I have zero self-control when it comes... Read more