Category Archives: Uncategorized
Recipe: Light Pumpkin Spice Cheessecake
I don’t like cheesecake. So often, it tastes simply of cream cheese and sugar, so rather than a guilty sense of pleasure, it leaves a cloying aftertaste in its wake. But my mother requested pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving, so I reluctantly … Continue reading
Filed under recipes, Uncategorized
New “Energy Star” style ratings for food?
As anyone familiar with my new book knows, I’ve developed a habit of following people at supermarkets, and sometimes I talk to them. (Someone on my book tour said this is known as “action research” by behavior scientists. I prefer … Continue reading
Filed under food news, Uncategorized
The Cooking Crisis: How to Get People Off the Couch and Into the Kitchen?
This weekend, Mark Bittman wrote a terrific piece in The New York Times titled “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?” The arguments and premise — that no matter how you measure it, home cooking is more affordable and healthy than convenience … Continue reading
September 11th: The View from London
I’m one of the few people I know that wasn’t in the country on September 11th. I had been living and working in London for a couple years as the senior editor for MSN.co.uk., the largest portal site in the United Kingdom … Continue reading
Filed under deeply personal, Uncategorized
Moules à la Mariniére
Something big happened in my life recently. Taylor Shellfish Farms opened a store in my neighborhood. I’m a huge fan of, well, any shellfish to be honest. But mussels – moules in French - make me weak at the knees. Combined with … Continue reading
Filed under french cooking, healthy recipes, recipes, Uncategorized
Angles, Light and Beyond the Plate: Food Photography Tips from a Pro
About 10 days ago, I made a video. Somehow, I made the cut to be one of six in the physical audience during a three-day food photography online class with noted photographer Penny de los Santos. Hidden behind an unmarked gray … Continue reading
Filed under food photography, Uncategorized
Creative Live workshop with Penny de los Santos
So, my video worked and I managed to snare one of the six spots in Penny de los Santos’ three-day food photography weekend. You can watch along for free this weekend as its streams live, or purchase the full three-day … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Day 3 of the Hunger Challenge: Chicken, Cabbage and Carrots
Carrots rarely take the culinary center stage. They’re left to supporting roles or token walk-ons as snacks or as an ensemble effort on a crudité tray. All cooks, not just those on a budget, should give them another chance at … Continue reading
Filed under budget cooking, healthy recipes, recipes, Uncategorized
Deviled Eggs & Thai Curry: Day 2, Hunger Action Week Challenge
Tofu is widely regarded with suspicion by those on low-income budgets as it can smack of sprout-loving vegans, but I think it’s often overlooked. It’s high in protein, low in fat, endlessly versatile and inexpensive, about $1.50 a pound, or … Continue reading
Filed under budget cooking, healthy recipes, hunger week, recipes, Uncategorized
When is a cookbook deal too good to be true?
Here’s an intriguing story by Justin Schwartz that should be required reading for anyone who has ever thought of publishing a cookbook someday, and especially insightful for food bloggers.
Filed under Uncategorized


