May 28, 2011

Deviant

Deviant

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Banana Bread

...

1 3/4 cup flour (one cup all-purpose and 3/4 cup whole wheat)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup softened butter (1/3 cup olive oil)

2 eggs

1 cup mashed banana (2 very large bananas—not mashed)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (1/2 bag unsalted pecans and just as much bittersweet chocolate—chopped)

1 hour @ 350° (45 minutes @ 350°)

May 25, 2011

Things in Their Truest Form

Things in Their Truest Form

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There are things that you learn about yourself. Things that only come with age.

I have learned that I love to read when I am down with a cold. This is new to me. In times past I would pass the time sleeping in between dosages of over the counter medications. Keeping my nose in check with name brand tissues. Now, I settle in with books and a carafe of water with piles of pillows to support my neck and back. It's especially nice in the summer (did I say summer?) when one isn't fixed position beneath blankets. Crumpled used tissue getting lost between mattress and bed frame or collecting bunnies worth of dust on the cool wood floor below.

Somehow I managed to keep the tears in check while I finished reading about Henrietta Lacks. I now find myself bounding through the home cooking memories of Laurie Colwin. I'm halfway through Home Cooking (in just one lazy cold-suffering morning) and I have yet to order the Anne Sexton biography from Amazon.

I have also learned that I suffer from a terrible affliction. It is called cherry fever. It starts out with bulging eyes and a zombie-like stance when one spots cherries for $3.99 a pound at the market. It's not cherry season yet. And then you find yourself toting home almost $13 dollars worth of cherries (a little under $10 dollars when you use your bonus card).

Cherry fever can be costly, but it's all about management. Don't rinse all of the cherries, just what you plan on using. Otherwise they'll mold. Don't bang the cherries around or grab them like you're pulling a load of towels from the dryer. Pull them out one by one (or by the bunch) by the stems and place them ever-so-delicately into a strainer. And then rinse with cold water. Admire them while they glisten in the afternoon sun, ceiling fans on high keeping the unseasonably high spring temperatures and humidity in check.

In closing, just because I'm feeling slightly better due to high water consumption and moderate doses of whole foods doesn't mean I should thumb through Joy of Cooking for a chocolate chip cookie recipe. With a sliver of brownie still left and enough dark chocolate to feed a crowd of six, it is wise to save one's energy. After all, there's still a pot of red that needs to be made for tonights dinner.

May 19, 2011

Prosciutto, Cremini & Potato Frittata

Prosciutto, Cremini & Potato Frittata

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It was a night for frittata and salad.

I felt a little touched in the head peeling each tiny red before slicing and soaking (to get rid of some of the starch).

And the mushrooms, cremini. I doubt I could have sliced them any thinner. One would think a madolin was at play.

The proscuitto. Roberto's charge. He also made quick work of one Serrano pepper.

"I don't think four eggs are going to be enough." I said.

"Make it five." He said.

The eggs were sweating by the time I closed the cartoon and retired them to the refrigerator door.

I looked at the clock. It's been seven hours since I've eaten. I thought I'd feel a bit more weary.

I scanned the counter. The salad, mixed greens, feta, red onion and a bit of out of season cucumber waited. The last of the baguette, sliced and ready to be toasted.

The medium pan was warmed with oil. The mushrooms and potatoes combined. Prosciutto. Serrano. Salt. Pepper. Eggs. Garden chives.

A rimless cookie sheet was oiled. The frittata flipped. I hold my breath. Only exhaling once it's slid back into the pan.

A new bottle of red opened.

"We're running dangerously low." He said.

"I know, but it will have to wait until we get back from Brooklyn." I said.

We charged ourselves with a few more tasks before sitting down. Roberto, the dishes. I, dress the salad.

"You know I'll need to take a few pictures." I said.

He knew.

May 17, 2011

Ciabatta

Ciabatta

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We couldn't have asked for more beautiful bread. All pocked and crisp. They sang as they cooled.

Roberto held the sheet pan over the sink while I sprayed the loaves.

That's good. That's enough.

A little bit more.

That's ENOUGH.

Okay. That's good.

Satisfied, I opened the oven door and in went the loaves. Two at a time.

Because it would be silly for us to make just one and if we're going to make two we might as well make four.

And so it went.

...

For the Birds

...

These are delicious. Perfect, actually. To be honest, though, they could be a bit dryer.

Yeah.

I know what the difference is. I weighed the flour. I'm not going to weigh the flour anymore.

You don't need to weigh the flour.

All one needs is instinct.

May 16, 2011

Daydreaming of Tarallucci e Vino in NYC

Daydreaming of Tarallucci e Vino in NYC

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Yesterday (Sunday)

...

Conchiglie rigate smothered with bison meat sauce.

...

In Five Days

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It will go by so quickly.

We'll get to the door, shake off our umbrellas and step inside. Any exposed skin, once embraced by humidity, will pimple with the slight chill of forced air.

I'll hold Roberto's umbrella as he pulls his handkerchief out to wipe the specks of rain from his glasses.

Roberto will confirm.

Cappuccino. Chocolate croissant.

I will nod. A smile will stretch across my face.

There's a table in the back. It's near the window. Nervous, I'll look over my shoulder and then back at the table.

I'm going to go grab that table.

I'll sit my bag on the sill and lean the umbrellas against the wall. Run my fingers through my hair.

I'll watch and wait. I'll look over my shoulder.

To my right, an older couple reading the paper. In a corner, a young woman with a flouncy scarf and rain boots will sit slumped, texting. A crumpled napkin and a coffee to-go sit amongst crumbs. In another corner, a young man with his laptop open, sits unblinking. His coffee getting cold.

I will think about sinking into that first bite. Buttery flecks sticking to my lips. I will think about that first sip. The perfect nest of foam sticking to my lips.

May 10, 2011

Blueberry Muffins with Cream and Lemon

Blueberry Muffins with Cream and Lemon

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Milk or cream. I opted for cream.

Butter or vegetable oil. I opted for olive oil.

Fresh blueberries.

Lemon zest.

Twelve? No.

Twenty four? No.

Six? Yes. Six jumbo.

How very lower 48 of me.

May 05, 2011

Asparagus Scramble

Asparagus Scramble

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To: Roberto
Subject: Wednesday

I have an idea for a scramble. Potatoes and asparagus. All cut tiny (the asparagus in rounds, the potatoes in cubes). I can see it now. I think I can taste it too.

We'll have to eat pasta too, of course. Or we can skip the pasta and make some pizza pane.

I'm hungry.

May 03, 2011

Monday Scenes

Monday Scenes

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Radish from the farmers market.


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A bed of plants and flowers.

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One of many flower pots filled.

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Pretty in pink (sing it).

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Asparagus from the farmers market.

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A broken egg and the one that almost got away.

May 02, 2011

From Thursday

From Thursday

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Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms