Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Shakshuka (baked eggs)

So... the last time I wrote about a recipe was in September, which means I've had a pretty long stretch without making anything new or noteworthy.  But hopefully this will make up for it: shakshuka, or eggs baked in spiced tomato sauce. I first came across the idea in Ottolenghi and Tamimi's ... continue reading...


Flour Bakery, Boston

Every year I ask for at least one new cookbook for Christmas - and after my trip to Boston last month, I found this year's request: Flour by Joanne Chang. I finished up my work with an hour to spare before I needed to head to the airport, so naturally I started considering what to do eat.  I ... continue reading...


Little Nonna’s, Philadelphia

I had two wonderful grandmothers who cooked with love and were determined to feed me well.  But if I could choose a third grandmother, she would have been Italian. Little Nonna's is the restaurant equivalent of that grandmother - homey and welcoming, and serving a seriously impressive Sunday ... continue reading...


Summer gazpacho

What to do when you have guests coming for dinner and an oven that mysteriously refuses to heat up?  Make gazpacho. And it turned out for the best, since this was a hit - cool, flavorful, and rather virtuous. I used colorful heirloom tomatoes and threw in some juicy watermelon to add a hint of ... continue reading...


Chocolate salami

Here's a project for anyone who likes smashing and squashing things.  (Who doesn't?) D and I were served a slice of chocolate salami on Spiaggia's dessert tray the other evening, and it was my favorite of all the desserts - chocolate studded with cookies and generously flavored with rum. So I ... continue reading...


Cherry clafoutis

Hooray for cherry season! I've been eating piles of fresh, sweet cherries this summer - they're so good, I hope you have too. And when you've had your fill of fresh cherries, try a summery cherry dessert, like this clafoutis. The cherries are soaked in kirsch or cognac, set in an ... continue reading...


Lemon buttermilk bundt cake

There's no two ways about it - I love cake.  And I especially love lemon cake. My sister made this cake for me last year (yes, she's the best!) and I savored every slice. So I set about to make my very own lemon buttermilk bundt cake. It's a more complicated recipe than what I usually ... continue reading...


Hart Davis Hart wine auction, Chicago

There's a scene in the Golden Girls where Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose go to an art auction and naturally, hijinks ensue - Rose fans herself with her paddle and finds herself (temporarily) on the hook for $25,000 worth of Greek statuary. That was running through my mind when we first sat down at ... continue reading...


Breakfast at the Carneros Inn (Boon Fly and Hilltop)

I'm not much of a breakfast person in general, but I'll make an exception on vacation (and anyway, during our stay at the Carneros Inn, breakfast was included in our rate!). We tried both restaurants, the Boon Fly Cafe and the Hilltop dining room (open only on weekends most of the ... continue reading...