Moussaka, circa 1961
I’m trying out the Retro Recipe Challenge Fall Favorites competition, just as I was in the mood to make something savory, spicy, and prepared in that ever-so-homey style, a casserole.
Day of the Dead Bread
Sam and Richard had me over on Thursday for some hot toddys and sweets in honor of Day of the Dead. Or night of the dead? It was about 10:30 p.m. when I got there. The drink of choice was toasty hot chocolate made with Mexican dark chocolate and Kalhua.
Sweet Potato and Pork Stir Fry
The other day I had a not-too-satisfying experiment with eggplant, making a curry with whatever spices I possessed on my shelf that might combine in a pungent taste. It made me want to try another underused vegetable, but this time get the flavor right.
Josh Koury’s Pumpkin Soup
How and where Josh got his inspiration for this pumpkin soup is beyond me. But it tastes fabulous. Surprisingly spicy, warm and filling, I had to drill Josh for this recipe at his Halloween/welcome back dinner party. He says that he just came up with the recipe himself, and I would have never guessed it, perhaps owning to the fact that I’ve rarely seen him outside of extreme work mode programming films for either the Hamptons International Film Festival, or … Read More
Desserts: The Sweet Potato Pie Disaster
Everything was going fine and dandy, taking the sweet potato option from the pumpkin pie recipe in Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything.” Until pre-baking the pie crust. I’ve made my pie crust recipe (seen in Weeknight Apple Maple Walnut Pie) numerous times and never once encountered the dough sinking into the bottom of the pan, the edges repelling from their base. Even when making quiche, I pre-bake the crust a good fifteen minutes or so and never saw anything … Read More
That 3:00 p.m. Hunger Thing
Or 4:00 p.m. Or 5:00. And you’re stuck, and want to run outside and grab some chips. My solutions? I know this sounds incredibly kindergarten-ish, but I often have carrots with me. On my person. In my fridge. I even stopped getting the peeled baby carrot kind because I found that they get slimy when you crumple them up and keep them refrigerated for a few weeks or so. Or that one little carrot on the top will have a … Read More
Pasta with Kale and Chick Peas
Castellane con spinaci e fagioli is what I would have called this recipe if a)I were a real Italian person (I somehow don’t feel I have the right to name this dish in Italian since I’m not), and b) I were actually using spinach, which I would have preferred. But even though the spinach scare is officially over, and the washed, bagged leaves are back on the shelves, I’m hesitant to forgive and forget. Castellane con spinaci e coli is … Read More
Ganda and Miho
The lovely Ganda of Eat Drink One Woman was kind enough to sit down with me for an interview and a good cup of green tea before taking off for a tour. You can check out the interview on Chief Magazine, or better yet, try to catch her on tour with Miho Hatori. Today’s the happy release of her new album, Ecdysis, which rocks more than I can attempt to write about.
Today in the Times
Entrees Reach $40, and, Sorry, the Sides Are Extra Need I say more?
Eating Dim Sum in Providence, RI
I ate out. But it was in Providence, RI, and I’m quite certain there’s no way I’ll ever be able to make my own array of bite-size dumplings and other tasty traditional dim sum dishes just for lunch (ever). So I made good use of a family trip to visit my brother in Providence, where he’s studying for a PhD.