Recipe: Sausage Cheese Dip, Two Ways
I love recipes that can do double duty. This one’s dual role came about by accident when I was pondering what to make for dinner one recent busy weeknight. We first had the very delicious sausage...
View ArticleThe Elusive ‘Kintzley’s Ghost’ Honeysuckle
I am lucky in that I have a neighbor who loves plants and gardening as much (if not more) than I do. She has a number of unusual plants in her garden, but one of my favorites is a vine I have never...
View ArticleRecipe: Crostata Ricotta e Visciole (Sweet Ricotta Tart with Cherry Preserves)
Recently, my husband pointed out that we had TWO jars of cherry preserves, TWO jars of fig jam, and an unruly assortment of other jams, jellies, and preserves in the fridge. I was accused of jam...
View ArticleUnraveling the Mystery (and History) of the Crocodile Fern
I like ferns. Whenever I am at a botanic garden, I take a close look at them. I love the elegance of the leaves (fronds), the way the fronds unfurl, and the polka-dot patterns of the sori (spore cases)...
View ArticleRecipe: Kouign-Amann Pastries
Like many others, I first learned about Kouign-Amann from watching the Great British Bake Off (Great British Baking Show), marveling at the complexity and apparent deliciousness of this pastry from...
View ArticleAncient Roman Building Techniques: Beautiful Examples In and Around Rome
The Ancient Romans were master architects, builders, and innovators. That we can still see the remains of many 2,000+-year-old structures is a testament to the Romans’ skill and to the materials they...
View ArticleRecipe: Taralli (Italian Aperitivo Snacks)
Taralli (or tarallini) are a delicious, crispy, unleavened, ring-shaped snack from the Puglia region of Italy, though they have spread well beyond their place of origin. In Rome, you may be served...
View ArticleRecipe: Easy Puff Pizza ‘al Taglio’
Puff pastry is a culinary lifesaver, since pretty much anything tastes better when puff pastry is involved. Also, it’s a great way to use up all sorts of things in your fridge or cupboards. This week,...
View ArticleSunflower Power
Lately, we have been lulled into thinking spring is around the corner, with a warm day or two and lots of sun — only to be brought back to our cold, overcast, wet or sometimes snowy reality. This state...
View ArticleRecipe: Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi in a Parmesan Cream Sauce with Crispy...
If you like gnocchi, or spinach-ricotta ravioli, you may very well also like gnudi. Gnocchi and gnudi are similar, except gnocchi are made with potatoes and have some chewiness, whereas gnudi are made...
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