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2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health: The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow. Crunchy numbers The average container ship can carry about 4,500 containers. This blog was viewed about 14,000 times in 2010. If each view were a shipping […]

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  January 2, 2011   1 comment

New Year Cookies

Happy New Year! During the early part of the 18th century North Americans began to use the word ‘cookie’ to define a small, sweet, flat or slightly raised confection. The word ‘cookie’ appears to come from the Dutch word “koekje or koekie” and refers to a small cake. Alan Davidson in The Oxford Companion to Food […]

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  December 31, 2010   No comments

Italian Beef Brisket

RSVP Please! I am catering a New Year’s Eve party, which I’ve done for the past 5 years. Usually about 50 people show up, but because most people do not rsvp I never have a clear idea of numbers. One woman last year showed up with an extra 14 people! This year I am doing […]

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  December 30, 2010   2 comments

Chicken Braised with Figs, Honey & Vinegar

Braising Last week the Los Angeles Times published an article called Opening the vault: 25 years of our best recipes.  I found this braised chicken recipe that looks divine, it’s from the Zuni Café Cookbook. Chicken Braised with Figs, Honey & Vinegar Serves 4 4 chicken legs (about 1/2 lb each) Salt About 2 Tbs mild-tasting olive oil 1 […]

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  December 29, 2010   No comments

Artichoke Stew with Pecorino Romano

A Meatless Monday Stew Here is an idea for your next Meatless Monday, an artichoke stew.  We happen to LOVE artichokes, so I will give it a try. Artichoke Stew with Pecorino Romano Serves 6 1 1/2 lb small boiling potatoes, cut into small bite-size pieces 2 lb medium artichokes, cleaned and cut up, about […]

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  December 28, 2010   No comments

Food Trends for 2011

I love seeing the food trend predictions for the year.  Here are a few of the trends….. Meatless Monday’s Meatless Monday’s goal is to encourage U.S. consumers to cut their meat consumption by 15 percent for the betterment of our health and the planet. Macaroons Cupcakes and are so last year! Macaroons or macarons, usually […]

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  December 27, 2010   No comments

Tom & Jerry

Christmas is a marketer’s dream—even back in 1821! We all know about Eggnog—whether you love it or hate it, it is impossible to get through the holiday season without being offered a glass or two.  Or three or four (try it in hot coffee for a Christmas morning treat).  A few years back, my mother-in-law […]

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  December 24, 2010   No comments

Puffy Chile Relleno Casserole

Christmas Catering…. My last catering gig before Christmas – making 4 main dishes to serve 8 people for a good friend.  Here is one of the recipes. Puffy Chile Relleno Casserole Serves 8 2-3 cans (7oz each) whole chiles 4 corn tortillas cut in wide strips 1 lb Jack cheese, shredded 1 Large tomato, sliced 8 […]

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  December 22, 2010   No comments

Green Peas Supreme

Pass the Peas, Please! I am working on the menu for Christmas dinner. We have decided on ham, which goes well with peas. These peas include a little bacon. What could be wrong with that? Green Peas Supreme Serves 6 4 oz bacon, diced 3 cups frozen peas 12 fresh pearl onions, peeled 1/2 cup […]

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  December 20, 2010   3 comments