Once Bitten, Twice Boiled

Posted on | March 9, 2010 | 2 Comments

Though I didn’t know it at the time, I found my very own Italian Stallion while drinking & eating my way through Europe’s boot. Hubs and I met during a 5-week Florence-based study abroad trip, and despite his trying to woo me from week 1, I was (somewhat) slow to reciprocate.

Nonetheless, those 5 weeks were some of my very favorite weeks, for many reasons. Well, the obvious – meeting the person I hope will put up with me until the end of time. And making wonderful friends, even though we only keep in touch with less than a handful of them. Where else can you buy a decent $3 bottle of wine? When you’re downing a bottle a night, that’s more than economical .

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Not So Flash Taco

Posted on | March 5, 2010 | 3 Comments

China. Fine china. Bone china. You know, the fancy stuff you register for when you get hitched, or those dishes that your grandma gave your mom that your mom gave you (or maybe she just stored them away in the attic) that you’re supposed to give to your daughter. Sure, those dishes are pretty, and I’m sure using them impresses people during those special dinners.

But they aren’t for me.

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Converting to Chili

Posted on | March 2, 2010 | 2 Comments

It’s safe to say it – I’m a chili snob. I mean, it’s not just chili; there are other things I’m snobby about too. I have, possibly after drinking too much of it in college, grown to severely dislike watered-down beer and will only drink ales, aka beers with substance, or soul. I have very slowly started to like whiskey, but only from small-batch distilleries and so far, only when combined with ginger. I think my cat is the prettiest and loveliest of them all, because she is, and that’s all I need to say about that. And when it comes to toothpaste, I prefer Crest Pro Health, in cinnamon, if available.

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One Down (and 3.6 to go)

Posted on | February 26, 2010 | 2 Comments

My cooking friend, Mark, emailed me a few weeks ago with a list of questions, reading recommendations, and an update on the North Carolina snowfall. He was practically snowed-in, with 8 inches in one day, and spent his time making stock. Me? I probably would have made cookies, or pie. But stock’s good too.

He recommended I read some of Andrew Dornenburg’s books such as Culinary Artistry, or What to Drink with What you Eat, or The Flavor Bible. I own the latter two, and read them frequently. They’re perfect for making your own recipes, or for substituting ingredients, and especially for determining what to make for an Iron Chef battle. Apparently, he often asks chefs: Read more