Adapted from a traditional recipe: Michael’s Moroccan Chicken and Prunes 4 large, boned chicken breasts 1 lb high-quality, pitted prunes ~10 T extra virgin olive oil ~3-4 T clear, light honey ~ 2 T grated fresh ginger ~ 1-2 T chopped, salt-cured capers (brined fine, too) ~ 2 t ground cumin 1 small-medium red onion, [...]

Michael brought this tasty recipe tonight and cooked up a yummy feast! Grab at the store: 1 lb brussels sprouts 1 lb bacon (yes, take the time to get it cut at the counter) 2 large granny smith apples 3 cloves garlic 1 lb pasta 3-6 T butter a chunk of pecorino Romano salt and [...]

Tonight I made a dish that confirmed for me that sometimes mashed potatoes can be transcendent.Here is my recipe for “Mashed Potatoes of Heavenly Temptation”: Gabriel’s Mashed Potatoes of Heavenly Temptation 6-8 medium sized potatoes 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 stick of unsalted butter 1/4 cup white onion, diced 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced 4 [...]

When we were children, my parents would make this delicacy. They called it “bee’s eyes,” due to the dark bubbly surface of the chocolate sauce. It is very tasty, and did, in fact, “enrapture children” with its magical hardening over ice cream trick. HOT FUDGE SAUCE About 1 Cup The grand kind that, when cooked [...]

Today I made a delicious soup for lunch — a hearty rustic potato chowder. Made from this recipe from 101 Cookbooks: Rustic Potato Chowder: Rustic Potato Chowder 8 to 10 slices Smart Bacon (or real bacon if you’re not-veg) 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 onions, chopped 3 shallots, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 4 [...]

Pie Crust: 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling 1/2 cup finely ground blanched almonds or almond flour 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar 3 to 6 Tbsp ice water Cut the sticks of butter into 1/2-inch cubes and place in the [...]

This recipe came from a book we inherited from Gabriel’s grandmother Blanche Darnell. Maple Corn-Drop Biscuits Preheat oven to 375ºF. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups corn meal 1 1/2 cups flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup maple syrup mixed with milk, to make 1/2 cup total liquid 1/2 cup (one stick) butter, [...]

I’ll tell you one thing. I don’t like cooking in a rush. This evening, Michael and Elizabeth came over for dinner before the four of us went to see The Darjeeling Limited at the Moolah Theatre. I was generally pleased with how the dishes turned out, but was once again flailing around in the kitchen. [...]

Fall Fruity Couscous Ingredients: 1 cup pomegranate juice 1/2 cup water 1 cup couscous 4 fresh chopped figs 1 green apple, chopped & cored handful of walnuts 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup water several shakes of cinnamon In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup pomegranate juice and 1/2 cup of water to boil. Turn [...]

Warm Pear Slices with Tangerines 4 pears 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon powdered cloves 4 tangerines peeled and segmented Quarter, core, and slice the pears. (I don’t usually peel them unless I am uncertain about their derivation.) Heat in saucepot with the butter, sugar, and powdered cloves for 4 to 5 minutes. [...]