All Purls. No Swine.
Well, it's not exactly Turtle Soup which is the one prescribed by Lewis Carroll the Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland. Beautiful Soup, so rich and green, Waiting in a hot tureen! Who for such dainties would not stoop? Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup! My particular soup is… Continue reading “Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!”
Here we are, at St. Patrick’s Day, 2025, not a big seller in the land of my birth, but huge in the two areas I’ve lived in, in my adopted country–Boston and Pittsburgh. It’s the holiday that always “Springs” (see what I did there?) to mind when I think of revolting unusual celebratory foodstuffs. Green beer.… Continue reading St Patrick’s Day 2025: Weird Holiday Foods Edition
Today is the Super Bowl. I don't have a dog in this year's fight (at least not a two-legged one), as the Stillers--after a promising start to the season--folded, as they so often have in the past couple of decades, towards the end. Oh well. And without Tom Brady (Boo!) and the New England Patriots… Continue reading “I Will Play For Gumbo!” Notes on the Super Bowl, and a Recipe
Squeaking in under the deadline which--I suppose--will occur in two days, and after which--I suppose--it won't be National Apple Month anymore. My favorite apple at the moment (things can change) is the Crimson Crisp. It's absolutely delicious for eating, and it apparently grows well here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where it's a star at my local apple… Continue reading It’s National Apple Month!
Thanks, Hippocrates. I've not made any secret, over the years, of the fact that I love Thai food. Or of the marvelous opportunity--over six years ago now--that I enjoyed an actual cooking class in actual Thailand. But I sometimes suffer the consequences of living in the northeastern United States, far away from some of those… Continue reading Thai Basil Hack: “Desperate Times…”
To commemorate the 79th anniversary (in the UK) of V-J Day, on August 15, 2024** (funny that it receives barely a mention in the news these days), herewith a couple of family recipes for War Cake, a more-or-less appetizing (de gustibus, and all that) sop to the sweet tooth of the war-weary denizens from the Old… Continue reading Have Your (War) Cake and Eat It, Too
I probably won't make them today, owing to some leftover dreaded lurgy from a bout of something approaching pneumonia, but they, and a number of other family Easter traditions are in my thoughts. From Ricochet, four Good Fridays' ago now: Hot Cross Buns! A Good Friday tradition I don’t always adhere to but which, for… Continue reading “One a penny, two a penny…Hot Cross Buns!” And a Bit more Good Friday Randomness
Anyone who isn't a gullible moron, that's who. Crimenutely. A new Telegraph article, calls the humble potato "our new carb hero," and points out that potatoes are loaded with key nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber. Eliminating them, or just "staying away from them" in our diets hurts us more than… Continue reading Potatoes are Good for You. Who Knew???
Those of you who’ve been here a while will know that I’m a staunch defender of my birth country’s cuisine. I love “stodge,” best exemplified by a main course like “steak and kidney pudding,” and puddings such as “spotted dick.” I also love lighter desserts such as “summer pudding,” and sausages like “black pudding.” (If… Continue reading Traditional Thanksgiving Meal–UK Style
I’m proud to come from a family that values its traditions. Sometimes, those traditions take the form of my dropping everything, getting in the car in all my sweat and filth, racing up the road to Lowes or Home Depot before it closes, and buying the $.50 item which is the only thing preventing me from completing a major home remodeling… Continue reading Turtons All The Way Down