Today, I present to you the four C's...and I don't mean to disappoint you but this has nothing to do with diamonds. I have a cake, it's chocolate with another key ingredient, coffee, and I used one of the best contraptions I've seen in a long time. First, the cake. I've made this twice over the ... Read More
My Favorite Ragù alla Bolognese (Kitzbühel, Austria)
Classic Ragù Bolognese If I had an Italian nonna I'd like to think this is the Bolognese ragù recipe she would have passed down to me. It's hearty and soul-satisfying and tastes of love in every bite. (11/5/2019: This post has been updated with new images and a printable recipe. It also makes ... Read More
Hummus
I used to make hummus quite a bit, but in the last few years, it has somehow slipped off my normal recipe rotation. It's easy to prepare, it's healthy and it tastes good--what's not to like? I found my hummus recipe on the good old web many years ago and after making it for the first time, I never ... Read More
Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce
I can eat pasta everyday of my life. Light and healthy or rich and creamy, I'll take it. And I've done it, too, for three weeks at a time on our trips to Italy. Lunch, dinner, maybe even breakfast if it were served then. On the way home, vanity taps me on the shoulder and whispers in my ear the ... Read More
Gougères
If there was ever a good reason for me to make three dozen not-so-little gougères for only two people, it's this: I wanted to conquer a 15-year old fear. When I first saw a friend make cheese puffs years ago, I was told that I had to make sure to stir the water/butter/flour mixture ... Read More
Easy Roast Chicken
Why am I so gullible when it comes to roast chicken recipes? If it claims to be perfect, I believe the promise. It seems the recipes I select don't even vary too much at all--the herbs and spices may change a bit--but yes, I always end up thinking I've made the perfect roast chicken...until the ... Read More
