From Scratch

You might be facing an abundance of basil around now, either in your own garden or at farmers’ markets. We’re still a bit away from that stage here in The Little Snowball, but when it’s local and fresh I buy an armful, some for now and some for later.
How much later? A grower gave me […]

There are several dishes I took for granted in New York; they were everywhere and it never occured to me to make them at home. Cold sesame noodles are in that group. It’s almost impossible in my part of New England to find a Chinese restaurant that serves them. I found them only twice: a white-tablecloth place […]

One of the best surprises is finding an interesting recipe while I’m already at the market. When it turns out to be good enough for the regular rotation and fast enough for any weeknight, I’m thrilled. This delicious, refreshing recipe goes together so quickly the first thing I did was put the water on for the […]

Years ago in Florence, I let an Italian take me to dinner; I knew he was hoping for more than dinner but we’d met at a museum so how awful could he be?
When our small portions of pasta arrived, before the main course as is the custom, he launched into a diatribe about what barbarians […]

When fresh, sweet corn is available, locally-grown or from warmer states, I make this wonderful side dish over and over. It takes little more time than the five minutes needed for the couscous, a pasta not a grain, to steep. In winter I use frozen corn and it’s almost as good. And when I haven’t got fresh chives, like […]

Here’s why I love pressure cookers. The day got away from me yesterday — I was out with a friend — and it was almost 7 when I got home, famished. The Democratic presidential debate was on at 8, so there wasn’t much time. I dug out the pressure cooker and an acquaintance’s recipe that’s been in […]

Mr. Knife Skills and I have spent a good part of the day working on our menus and cooking schedules for Passover and Easter. If you haven’t figured it out, he’s the Jewish half, I’m Catholic. My mom, G-d rest her, was Protestant so blended beliefs are a way of life for me. This year, Passover […]