recipe
Blueberry Grunt – a Maritime dessert
This easy and basic dessert is called a grunt because the blueberries make a grunt-like sound while boiling under the dumplings. The grunt was an early adaptation of an English steamed pudding. The New England colonists had limited cooking equipment and a dumpling-like pudding using local fruit was cooked on the stove top. Wild blueberries…
Read MoreStuffed Round Zucchini (zucchine tonde ripiene)
Farmers’ markets always provide interesting selections of fruits and vegetables and most vendors are happy to share their knowledge of their produce. I spotted these round zucchinis at the Ridge Hill Yonkers’ Down to Earth Farmers’ Market – aren’t they adorable? Serves 4 4 round zucchinis 1 garlic clove, minced 3 or 4 sun dried…
Read MoreGrilled Garlicky-Herbed Shrimp
Grilled, poached, fried, battered, roasted, sautéed, steamed – you name it I’ve tried it. Shrimp are one of my favorite crustaceans, they take little time to cook and there are health benefits, too. Shrimp is a nutritious alternative to meat proteins as it is low in calories and saturated fat. It is an excellent source of…
Read MoreRoasted Red Pepper Salad with White Beans and Anchovy Sauce
I enjoy listening to stories of the past and with my mother in-law visiting, it’s the perfect time to hear more. Aida was born on the tiny island of Gibraltor 89 years ago. She moved to England in 1946 and has what I call a lovely Spanish/English accent. We are never short on conversation, our…
Read MoreRoasted Cauliflower with Linguine
It seems like a such long time since we last had linguine. The cauliflower in the fridge had been carefully selected for another dish but I wasn’t in the mood and decided last minute to make this. I always have a bottle of capers and anchovies in the fridge so all that was needed was…
Read MoreLobster Macaroni and Cheese
Is it possible to improve the flavor of a family classic dish such as macaroni and cheese? I didn’t think it was. I’m a Martimer through and through and love seafood. Boiled lobster dinners were a family tradition where I grew up…fresh lobster boiled, cut opened and gorgeous chunks of heavenly meat dunked in hot…
Read MoreBulgur Salad with Cannellini Beans, Feta & Mint
Whenever I feel as though we’ve eaten too much red meat, we take a break and consume loads of veggies and ancient grains such as bulgur. It’s this sort of balance that keeps us healthy…I can’t recall the last time I had a cold or the flu. Bulgur is made from precooked wheat berries. It’s…
Read MoreRoasted Chicken with Bacon & Sweet Paprika – Fifty Shades of Chicken
Suddenly the fridge door I’m resting on swings open, and I find myself rolling off the shelf and falling toward the kitchen floor. Crap. My plastic wrapper bursts as I land, and my giblet bag slides halfway out. Double crap. Damn my cheap packaging. Instantly I feel hands on me, lifting me carefully from the…
Read MoreFennel Risotto with Lamb Sausage
Fennel is one of those vegetables you can use alone or as a spice, garnish or herb. Its subtle anise flavor pairs well with apple and cheese; shellfish (lobster or crab); asparagus and garlic; orange and mint; potatoes and onions and so forth. It’s deliciously light served as a salad, in a pasta, or in…
Read MoreRoasted Tomato & Garlic Crostini with Truffle Sea Salt
If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating a truffle the next best thing, in my humble opinion, is truffle oil. That was until I sampled white truffle sea salt! John and I were food shopping and we never pass the cheese section of Whole Foods without buying…well almost never. We asked what was new…
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