Season’s Eatings 
Party Menu in a Hurry: Seafood Chowder
My brother and I made a double batch of this seafood chowder for twelve of us the other night, with an array of vegetables, leek dip, baguette, cookies and ice cream. When four more showed up there was still plenty. A festive menu that leaves time for the cook to smell the roses before dinner, [...]
A Pot of Greens: Rainbow Chard
Swiss chard wasn’t on my vegetable radar until I heard that it’s one of Lily’s favorites. If you attach “rainbow” to the name of a green vegetable, there’s a good chance that seven-year-old girls, who are in general not that excited about greens, will be much more interested. I, in fact, have a hard time [...]
Spring’s Fast Fresh Food
Time for fresh, quickly cooked food from nearby and savoring it under a blossoming tree somewhere. If it doesn’t rain first, says the pessimist self; definitely, the sun is back says the optimist. Lilacs, asparagus and herbs mark the season – and anniversaries. Branches of blooming lilacs festooned our May sailboat wedding along with pizza, [...]
Gluten-Free Bread Winner
I’m not gluten intolerant but when I came across a recipe for a “Life-Changing Bread”, I’ll have to say that I was intrigued. I had my doubts that any one food can change your life, but this bread has come pretty close to doing just that. It would probably be more accurate to say that [...]
When in Rum
OK, when in Puerto Rico. Wherever you are on the planet, isn’t it just courteous to politely partake in the local culture? The fresh papaya, avocado, mango, Mahi Mahi, coconut, lime, cashew fruit (who knew?), plantains, tamarind, hot and hot hot sauce. . . and so on. Just living local. There’s also rum. Not exactly a [...]
Fish Taco Quest
I arrived in Puerto Rico a few days ago wondering about a few things – the heat and humidity, will I get cozy with Zumba and standup paddle boarding, will I get some work done? Make a good fish taco? Finally? Chances are pretty good. A. I’m in a small town where fresh fish is [...]
New Favorite Salad
I recently spent a week in Sun Valley, cross country or downhill skiing every day, and eating this salad for lunch every other day. Other salads were available, probably equally delicious, burgers, chili, pizza, but once I’d had this I couldn’t not order it. Out of my control. My fave. I’ve been making it at [...]
Flavor it Green
And no, I’m not talking about beer. How can a person be on vacation and at the same time be on a health kick? Why is it called a health kick anyway? Because it lasts such a short time or because it’s so much fun? Anyway, I’m on one, partly because I’m ready and partly [...]
Call Me Granola
According to the Urban Dictionary I easily fit into the description of someone granola — “people who are environmentally aware (flower child, tree-hugger) open-minded, left-winged, socially aware, concerned about wasting resources, usually only buy fair-trade goods and refrain from buying from large corporations, dresses like a hippy, eats natural foods, is usually liberal, but in [...]
Polenta Polenta
Like with rice, beans and pasta, when you make polenta you’re part of a universal culinary network. Each has its distinctive character and flavor and each has a vast culinary repertoire. Polenta, ancient peasant food, was necessary for survival long before we decided to relish and make it important again. We know this stuff, it’s [...]
