I recently read the most charming memoir/cookbook about raising chickens for the sole purpose of having your own fresh eggs. Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes by Janice Cole is a must-read for anyone who has ever considered raising chickens or is simply enamored with the idea of it. The author tells her delightful journey of raising a • Read More »
Because trivial facts and information can be a great addition to any conversation, here’s some frivolous knowledge that will certainly impress your friends: The ancient Romans often paid their taxes in honey. Pound cake received its name from the one-pound quantities of the main ingredients — sugar, butter, eggs, and flour — used in the original recipe. • Read More »
With Summer and Father’s Day almost upon us, I thought I’d recommend a few grilling cookbooks that I use frequently. Any of these cookbooks would make a great gift for the Grill Master or the Father in your life, or buy them for yourself (like I did)! Weber’s Real Grilling by Jamie Purviance This cookbook is filled with over 200 • Read More »
Whether you’re a Thanksgiving novice or an old pro, it’s always nice to have a few new recipes to inspire you for this traditional feast. Here’s a few cookbooks that have helped me: Thanksgiving 101 by Rick Rodgers Thanksgiving 101 is a practical guide to creating this iconic meal. Cooking teacher and author Rick Rodgers • Read More »
From Portland’s Palate, A Collection of Recipes from the City of Roses is a compilation of recipes from The Junior League of Portland, Oregon. Some recipes showcase Pacific Northwest ingredients (Northwest Salmon Cakes with Mustard Sauce, Dungeness Crab Fondue, Blackberry-Apple Crunch) while other recipes are more global (Far East Noodles, Cilantro Chicken, Turkish Swordfish). My favorite recipe in the book • Read More »
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten is filled with wonderful recipes and beautiful photographs. Garten, who used to own the East Hampton specialty food store The Barefoot Contessa, shares catering secrets and time-saving tips for making uncomplicated but delicious recipes at home. A few of my favorite recipes include: Fresh Corn Salad, Szechuan Noodles, Perfect • Read More »