If the people you share this cake with don’t hug you, then you hug them. It doesn’t matter who initiates a hug–either way you get an oxytocin boost. Oxytocin is the love hormone, and if you get enough of it, you won’t be as tempted to devour the whole cake yourself; you’ll be inclined instead to pass …
Newport has historically been a summer get-away for the über-wealthy. But you don’t have to be one of Mrs. Astor’s 400 to enjoy a delightful, high-class escape from the rigors of daily life. Tip: If you’re not a total GPS-savvy techno-geek, before you travel, print out this handy (free) Newport Harbor Map for your wanderings Then get …
26 on-the-cheap hours in Newport and Bristol, Rhode Island Read More »
Maybe you can help me discover a few more great restaurants (not fancy, necessarily–I just want good food, well prepared, for a fair price). Maybe I ought to wonder whether too much of a good thing is actually good for me. Other people seem to enjoy going out to eat a whole lot more than …
When I want to whip up a quick meal, I first set the stage by assembling my ingredients, and I get the measuring and cutting/chopping out of the way. Sometimes I do this prep-work an hour (or half-a-day) ahead of cooking time. Then, when I go back into the kitchen, I can cook a tasty …
We stumbled upon the Lotus Pepper Food Truck at the Providence Flea Market a few weeks ago, which has inspired another of my frequent and various improvisations, this time on a noodle-salad theme. Today’s creation was a sweet-hot-salty-sour slaw (recipe below) with chilled vermicelli (follow the package directions), and satay-seasoned chicken breast with peanut dipping sauce …
Lotus Pepper food truck in Providence inspires my sweet-hot-salty-sour slaw Read More »
This recipe should serve a sizable crowd, but it won’t. Some mild-mannered silent type (your son’s song-writer friend Jacob, for example) will keep asking for the dip to be passed back to his end of the table and while you’re conversing he’ll gobble up what should have been at least six servings and then he’ll …
How to Make the Very Best Blue-Cheese Dip, Ever! Read More »
Here’s an eye-pleasing, intensely-tasty, healthy summer meal: Asian chicken club on whole wheat with pepper slaw. To make it– Start with your normal chicken club sandwich ingredients, which are: 2-ounces of chicken breast, pounded thin 1 slice of bacon, cooked 2 thin slices of tomato 1/4 cup chopped/shredded romaine 2-teaspoons of mayonnaise A toasted whole …
Asian-Up Your Chicken Club Sandwich: and why bacon is healthy Read More »
To say that celebrities don’t impress me would be untrue, because when I’m-in-the-same-room-with-Martha-Stewart (yep, happened to me, Black Pearl, Newport, RI) a giddy out-of-body feeling comes over me. I’m in the vicinity of a star! I suddenly feel special, as if I’ve been graced by a blessing, when someone points out, “Look-look! Practically right next to …
Wear your Wellies or old shoes, because it’s messy. It’s like making mud pies, with the benefit that you get to wear adult-y pride while you’re mucking around, because you’re about the adult-y business of actually feeding the family. It’s like playing Paleolithic Hunter-Gatherer. It’s living with an artisanal flair, close to nature, passionate about eating from …
To make this gourmet peasant soup: To broth, add what’s on hand (perhaps smoked sausage, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions and cabbage). Stir in pleasing seasonings (thyme, just a pinch of caraway, some salt & pepper, a smidge of celery seed). Serve with good bread (home-baked if possible), cheese and beer–maybe Leinenkugel’s Canoe Paddler. Marketed as …
One gourmet's request: soup, bread & cheese–with beer, please! Read More »