2021 Year Review, 2022 Goals

Somehow it's already the end of another year and...I haven't looked at this goal list in at least 6 months. I have been so busy with the bakery and learning how to cook some new things, I haven't had a chance to really experiment with anything. In fact, I don't even know what my 2022 … Continue reading 2021 Year Review, 2022 Goals →

A 3 Week Study in Dominique Ansel’s Tart Presentations

It has been a month of tarts. I was given nearly two dozen apples a few weeks ago and immediately thought of Dominique Ansel's apple tart. Pastry cream has always been a little intimidating to me due to how easy it is to mess it up at every stage but I jumped in and tried … Continue reading A 3 Week Study in Dominique Ansel’s Tart Presentations →

Thomas Keller’s Weiner Schnitzel revisited

I've recently moved to a very Germanic rooted town, which has inspired me to try out some German foods again. When I went to the butcher here, only a few blocks from my new home (walking distance to a butcher is a dream! Knowing there's another one half a mile away is even better!) they … Continue reading Thomas Keller’s Weiner Schnitzel revisited →

A Year of Chicken Paillard

One of the very first Thomas Keller recipes I ever made was Chicken Paillard. From that first time, even though it wasn't perfect, it became an instant favorite. Chicken Paillad with dressed arugula and sauce vierge is on our menu at least monthly. Most recipes, I end up putting my own twist on after I've … Continue reading A Year of Chicken Paillard →

Meeting Robert Irvine/Fresh Kitchen Grand Opening

Back in the days of early marriage and struggling to put dinners together (re: I was making Hamburger Helper and a lot of boxed pasta), my husband brought home a discounted cookbook he saw in a bin at the grocery store. At the time, I had just started watching Food Network and was loving Robert … Continue reading Meeting Robert Irvine/Fresh Kitchen Grand Opening →

Christmas Menu

I've been so busy this month, from running my kids to Nativity practice, choir practice, PREP school, ballet class, (etc, etc) while also trying to keep up my Book Event Coordinator duties (ie, sorting through hundreds of donated books each week), keep up to date with query replies, make next year's writing/cooking goal list, and … Continue reading Christmas Menu →

Thomas Keller’s Cote de Boeuf and Blanched Asparagus

I have a confession - I don't cook steak if I can help it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE steak. Like, if I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would probably be steak (topped with mushrooms and onions and cooked by my husband.) But I married … Continue reading Thomas Keller’s Cote de Boeuf and Blanched Asparagus →

MasterClass Winner – Massimo Autographed Apron!

Last post, I talked about my two attempts at Massimo's pesto pasta. Well, I also had another great time with Masterclass and Massimo - they had a giveaway for an Osteria Francescana apron, autographed by Massimo himself, during the time I was taking his class and doing the cooking experiments! I was a very lucky … Continue reading MasterClass Winner – Massimo Autographed Apron! →

I am MasterClass’s Student of the Month!!

What a crazy, exciting, fun, unexpected experience! I am MasterClass's Student of the Month! Last month, I was contacted by the MasterClass team, asking if I'd mind a phone call interview so they could learn more about myself. I'll give you a clue about myself here - I am a writer for a reason. Talking … Continue reading I am MasterClass’s Student of the Month!! →

Massimo’s Pasta

Massimo Bottura's Masterclass on Modern Italian cooking was a delight. He was funny and interesting and there were points on his class that have stuck firmly with me. His initiative to waste nothing, use everything has fueled me in different ways. I freeze more when I'm not sure if I'll get to use produce before … Continue reading Massimo’s Pasta →