When I was a kid, my mother was famous for her calzones. I’m not certain how often we actually had calzones, but it seemed like they were perpetually sitting on the counter awaiting the carving of a slice so small as to not be noticed. Mostly because the slicer was sneaking a serving. With three… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Entrees
Pancetta and Peas Mac and Cheese
I like a rhyming post title/recipe name every now and again. And here we have one. I made this dish on Sunday because a rainy, 33-degree late-February Sunday requires comfort food. Preferably inexpensive comfort food. So with Ina Garten’s macaroni and cheese from Barefoot Contessa Family Style as my guide, I added my favorite uncured… Continue Reading
A ravioli primer: Artichoke Ravioli in a Lemon-Cream Sauce
“Is making homemade pasta easy?” my friend Ian asked during a rare midday phone call. “Sure it is,” I replied, “what are you making?” “I want to make ravioli for our Valentine’s dinner,” he said, meaning his and his wife, Kristin’s, dinner. We discussed his options; won ton wrappers (“won’t that be gross?”), purchasing pasta… Continue Reading
Roasted Root Vegetable Pot Pie
It’s fancy enough for a special occasion (think Valentine’s Day, people), has a sweetness from the roasted vegetables that contrasts nicely with the crust, and should cost you in the neighborhood of thirteen dollars and fifty-cents to make. If you serve it to only two people, you will have six remaining servings, so for $3.45… Continue Reading
Cinnamon Bird(s)
Cinnamon has been an important spice since antiquity. Its origins were kept secret from Europeans by the Arab traders from whom they purchased this useful and expensive spice. Cinnamon was thought to have curative powers, was commonly given as gifts to royalty, and was burned in Roman funeral pyres. To these Europeans, it made sense… Continue Reading