Confession: I usually dislike Thanksgiving. I like gathering for the holiday, but it is not my favorite. Why don’t I like it? Here is the silly reason: its traditional foods are not my favorites. I like to like what I eat. It comes with growing up Italian, then marrying into Greek. Food matters, especially at a holiday table. The one year that ... Read More »
“You talked about your Grandma’s red sauce yesterday, too.” “I did? Oh…” Apparently I am using my Italian Grandma’s delicious Sunday red sauce as a too-frequent metaphor in my work at The College of Saint Rose. You see, Grandma was a genius in the kitchen. As my mom often said, she could make dirt taste good. Grandma could take anything ... Read More »
It seems impossible, or maybe it appears to defy the odds, but once again I find myself reflecting on the loss of a loved one. A family member. Or so it seemed. George Danes died on August 4, 2015. In case you missed the enormous hiccup in the world when that happened. Two things come to mind as I ... Read More »
It’s that time of year when allergies quickly morph into head colds and then back into allergies, resulting in a lethargic week or so where I haven’t wanted to do much of anything except veg out to one of Anthony Bourdain’s travel and food shows – too sneezy and tired to even really be envious or inspired by his very cool, very ... Read More »
When my Grandma Ruth passed away last May, one of the more interesting things I inherited was her collection of parchment paper, aluminum foil and plastic wrap. She bought in bulk, a coupon clipper and a savvy shopper, so they were either generic brands or marked with “sale” stickers. My grandmother was a good cook and a good baker – although ... Read More »
Is our memory of food really an accurate rendering of a meal? Or do we indulge in the dangerous side of nostalgia -photoshopping away imperfections to create false versions that never really existed? Is my idea of my grandmother’s sweet potato pie true to how it actually was on the plate and in the mouth? Or have I set myself ... Read More »
There are many wonderful feelings: the first cold beer on a hot day, walking barefoot in freshly mown grass, unpacking your summer (or winter) clothes and discovering money in the pockets, falling asleep in a hammock . . . oh, the list could go on and on. And, speaking of lists, one of my favorite feelings is that quiet sense of ... Read More »
Of all the bivalves out there (clams, scallops and mussels, to name a few), oysters are my favorite. In general, I prefer the briny East Coast varietals but on the other hand, the sweet Kumamotos from Pacific Northwest are equally delicious (albeit in a completely different way). I’ve had Normandy oysters in Paris for 1 euro (roughly a $1.40) that freaked ... Read More »
On occasion, I make desserts for barVino to supplement the fabulous ones we purchase from the professional bakers at Cafe Sarah’s – just up the street from bV on Main Street in North Creek, NY. Here’s the thing about baking: it’s meticulous, measured and requires prior planning and preparation. Here’s the thing about me: I’m a bit scatter-brained, not naturally ... Read More »
So much talk of Grandma (click here) led to a major hankering for her eggplant parmigiana. In my now wheat-defying life (click here), eggplant parmigiana has been absent since December of 2013. Waaaaay too long! I did find a local restaurant that offers gluten free options for many traditional Italian dishes. The problem is, you need to plan well in ... Read More »
Sauced In New York Sometimes the food is in the sauce, sometimes we are