New recipe, April 28, 2016

Hot Gin Toddy from Epicurious. Gets s 3.

New recipe, April 27, 2016

Seventh Heaven cocktail from Epicurious. Ok, it gets a 3.

New recipe, April 26, 2016

It is a busy week with travel and meetings! The new recipe is the Salty Dog cocktail from Epicurious. It is refreshing, and gets a 4!

New recipes, April 4, 2016

We celebrated Mark's Mom's birthday with his parents with the Spring Vegetable and Sunflower Panzanella from the April 2016 Food and Wine, served with Mario Batali's Lamb Chops Scottadita from the Italian Grill. Dessert is Strawberries in Sambuca from Epicurious. We give the salad a 4, and the dessert gets a 5.

New recipes, December 2, 2015

Two from Epicurious: Persimmon Salsa (served here with sautéed pork tenderloin medallions), and Spicy Okra. Both are delicious and get 5s! Mark didn't grow up with okra, and learned a valuable lesson here--big okra may look nice, but it can be tough!

New recipe, November 26, 2015

The new Thanksgiving recipe is Cracked Black Pepper Pull Apart Biscuits from Epicurious. At least in the mountains, these needed 10-15 minutes more cooking time than the recipe called for--overall they get a 3.

We did a reprise of the Spatchcocked Turkey with Anise and Orange the from November 2014 Bon Appetít--still wonderful, it still gets a 5.

New recipe, November 2, 2015

Frisée and Carrot Ribbon Salad With Za'atar Lemon Vinaigrette from Epicurious. Excellent! It gets a 5.

New recipe, November 1, 2015

Balsamic Short Ribs from Epicurious. This is a satisfying wintertime dish, and the basil-lemon gremolata really adds a bright note to it--very good! We give it a 4. Served with braised fennel.

New recipe, October 9, 2015

As we still have lots of food from friends, the new recipe is another cocktail--the Ruby Diamond from Epicurious enjoyed by Mark. The combination of Mezcal and Campari is quite smoky-- nice, but may not be to everyone's taste. It gets a 4.

New recipe, October 1, 2015

22 Minute Pad Thai from Epicurious. This is pretty good, we give it a 3.

New recipe, September 29, 2015

Pasta with 15 Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce from Epicurious. Garlicky, simple, enjoyable. It gets a 3.

No wine this evening.

New recipe, September 3, 2015

Fresh Corn Carbonara from Epicurious. This is nice, it gets a 3.

New recipe, August 15, 2015

Vietnamese Chicken Salad, from Epicurious. This was originally in the August 2008 Gourmet--Gourmet is gone, but it lives on in Epicurious. Plus we get the benefit of reviews and suggestions on Epicurious.

This was spectacular, and we give it a 5. BUT, we took some suggestions from the reviewers and did not make it quite as described.

1) after marinating the chicken, do not boil it. We grilled it and it was fabulous.

2) when the recipe calls for cabbage, we chose Napa Cabbage--better choice for this.

3) don't boil the vegetables. This is a salad, and they are better raw,

4) the dressing is great! The tablespoon of chopped Thai peppers is pretty spicy--if you don't like things pretty hot, cut back!

5) with those caveats, make this! It is worth your time!

Wine: Von der Leyen Riesling 2012

New recipe, March 20, 2015

Happy Spring!! We celebrated with the Spring Forward Cocktail from Epicurious. The Rosemary vodka is easy to make, and is great in this cocktail. We give it a 5.

New recipe, February 4, 2015

From epicurious.com, Cinnamon Scented Breakfast Quinoa. Nice, but nothing special http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/cinnamon-scented-breakfast-quinoa-366130, we give this a 3.

New recipe, February 3, 2015

Today's is a breakfast dish--California Barley Bowl with Lemony Yogurt Sauce from Epicurious. I had some question in my mind about how good this would be, but it is excellent--we give it a 5

New recipe, December 25, 2014

Sweet Potato and Caramelized Onion Hash with Baked Eggs from Epicurious.com. We give this a 3--a little sweet overall.

New recipe, December 21, 2014

Breakfast Amaranth with Walnuts and Honey from Epicurious.com. This is a filling, tasty breakfast! We give it a 4.

New recipe, September 30, 2014

Today's new recipe is Chioggia Beet Borani With Feta And Toasted Sesame Seeds, from Epicurious. This is a stunning dip served with toasted bread or crackers. Wonderful, it gets a 5!

No wine tonight.

New recipes, August 10, 2014

Isaan Inspired Larb from the June 2014 Cooking Light--this was a delight, we give it a 5! Dessert was Roasted Mission Figs with Honey from Epicurious--also nice, it gets a 4.

Wine: Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé 2013