Taste and smell have a way of evoking memories of the past. When Easter comes to mind (religion aside), it’s not the gathering on Sunday that I think about, but actually the night before. Every Easter Saturday for as long as I can remember, we would indulge in a feast of kielbasa and my Grandma Mary’s homemade pierogi. Usually the week or one of the weeks leading up to it, Grandma would voyage down to the Jersey shore and visit with my Read more »
One Friday over a month ago, I purchased a half-pint of Trader Joe’s edamame hummus while perusing the aisles. While this was the first time buying this particular product, picking up something random at TJ’s is a regular occurrence for me. They have a wide variety of enticing spreads, dips, and sauces in exciting combinations that are seemingly jumping off the shelves into my hand basket – “Try Me! Take me home! I’ll make your life simpler and tastier!” Read more »
I’ve been craving citrus… Maybe it’s my body’s way of telling me I’m a little vitamin C deficient this week. Who knows? The one thing I was certain of was that I wanted to nosh on more than an elementary school snack of orange “monkey slices.” You know, when you slice whole oranges into fun little bite size wedges, pop one into your mouth, and flash your biggest monkey grin? Yes, I still do this from time to time – huge turn on for the husband. Anyhow, today I was feeling slightly more sophisticated. My mind drifted off to a bed of baby field greens adorned with a medley of blazing citrus segments and plump seared sea scallops finished with a sweet basil vinaigrette. Are you with me? Read more »
Need it, love it, gotta have it – one of life’s simple pleasures – pancetta! My Italian ancestors really knew what they were doing when they came up with this mauve and cream pinwheel of porky pleasure. And this recipe is a prime example of the old adage – a little goes a long way. Only a small amount is necessary to bring a robust and sophisticated bacon flavor to any dish it waltzes its way onto. No ingenious meatless substitute could bring me to my knees like this. In fact, it’s one of the reasons I maintain my omnivorous status – I just couldn’t picture a life without it. Read more »
