Growing up, I assumed that cranberries grew in the shape of a can. I am not alone. When I was nine, my Aunt Judy made cranberry relish from whole berries and nothing was the same again. I was only a kid, yet realized that when it came to canned cranberries vs. fresh, there's no … [Read more...] about Firehouse Challenge: Cranberry Sauce
Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Such a simple thing -- throw some potatoes into a pot, then mash them up, but there's more to creamy mashed potatoes than that. I tend to make mashed potatoes a day ahead of a big family dinner (like Thanksgiving) and gently reheat on the stove. Alternately, make them earlier in … [Read more...] about Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Recipe: Beef Bourguignon
What do you make for the co-author of the book, My Life in France? The memoir of Julia Child's years living in France was a massive international bestseller and beloved by her fans. To me, there was only option: Beef Bourguignon. This recipe is featured in my first podcast … [Read more...] about Recipe: Beef Bourguignon
Recipe: Sea Foam Candy
When I was growing up in Michigan, we made trips to the many waterfront towns all over the mitten-shape state. My favorite stop in all these little picturesque hamlets were the local candy stores, virtually all of them offering some variation on the golden, crunchy, sugar-rush … [Read more...] about Recipe: Sea Foam Candy
Reader Q&A: What do you consider essential pantry items?
Do you have a shopping list of what the essentials are when stocking a pantry? I’m exactly the kind of person you wrote for: not a terribly bad cook, but unsure and insecure in the kitchen. I loved The Kitchen Counter School and am inspired to try on my own, but I’m not sure what … [Read more...] about Reader Q&A: What do you consider essential pantry items?
