When I chose my island for my kitchen, my builder thought I was crazy for picking such a large one. Clearly he is not a cook, because there is just no such thing as too much counter space in the kitchen. I am a cluttered person, and being able to always have counter free for…
Farro Pasta with Mushrooms, Apples and Sausage
A long time ago, before kids, when I worked outside of the home every day, stovetop pasta dishes were one of my favorite fast standby meals. They have endless variations, leading to endless creativity, and they cook up very quickly. Since becoming a stay at home mom, I do have more time to putter in…
Penne with Cantaloupe, Bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano
OK I want you to promise me right now, before reading another word, that you will keep an open mind while reading this post. I told a few friends about this dish, and to be honest I was a little surprised at the vehemence of their refusal to even contemplate that it might be good….
Trofie Pasta with Bacon, Crimini and Cherry Tomatoes
You may have been wondering what is going on with the aquarium project (check out the Spanish Soup post for a picture). We have had some issues getting the heater working right, so we still don’t have any fish (much to Alex’s irritation). But stay tuned! I am hoping to have some tomorrow!
Weeknight Ground Beef Stroganoff with Rosemary, Yogurt and Mushrooms
I have a real fondness for fusion-esque twists on midwestern comfort food. Maybe it is my way of satisfying both my midwestern, traditional upbringing and my completely international adult palette. Or maybe I just like the unexpectedness of it. Truth be told, this particular dish is not shockingly unexpected to me given that I grew…
Turkish Ground Beef and Pasta: Review of Bruce Aidell’s Great Meat Cookbook
The Good Cook had one of their bundle sales recently. I am hopeless in the face of a good cookbook bundle sale. All it takes is at least 2 or 3 books that I know I want, and I start searching for other books that I think are worth checking out at such fantastic prices. This time,…
Pierogi Part 2 (Strawberries Macerated in Sweet Vodka)
When Chris and I planned our pierogi making adventure, we talked about meat and potato fillings. Dessert never even crossed our minds. But then the day he came I was browsing Anne Applebaum’s From a Polish Country House Kitchen: 90 Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food and I noticed that she had pierogi with a strawberry filling,…
Pierogi Making Adventure of 2013: Part 1 (Meat Fillings)
Remember last fall when my brother and I made his famous Fist Sized Meatballs? We had so much fun that we had been talking about finding something else to cook. Recently Chris called, and said how about pierogi?
Uncle Chris’s “Fist Sized Meatballs”
In case you are wondering, Alex named the meatballs. She has a sense for the literal, my kid. I was leaning toward “Man Sized Meatballs.”