Today I raise a question that has preoccupied me since a dinner out with friends last summer. What should you do when you hate, hate, hate your entrée? (Or whatever dish, of course.) At this dinner, one friend found her poussin (baby chicken) tough and bland. She requested and got a sharp knife, which cut … Continue reading
Fruitcake Recipes
Here are the fruitcake recipes from the December issue of Packet Magazine. For some reason, the text of my article went online without the two recipes that accompanied it in the print edition. The recipes here are baked in large round pans, but you could substitute loaf pans instead. You could also make small loaves, … Continue reading
Convenience Food My Way
This was a delicious dinner that was easy to put together. And yet, every part of it involved some measure of “convenience food.” The poussin is one of the pre-marinated ones from Griggstown Farm, the “herb” version with olive oil, thyme and vinegar (they also do a soy/ginger version). It comes in a sealed bag, so … Continue reading
Patriots Week for Foodies
Patriots Week is more than revolutionary reenactments! For foodies who are seeking Colonial flavor during Trenton’s famed Patriots Week – Where Trenton’s Revolutionary History Comes to Life – their food and beverage events are listed below. You’ll find full information here. And be sure to download your copy of the “Downtown Dining Guide” while you’re there. In addition to … Continue reading
The Day After
My In The Kitchen Column in today’s Princeton Packet is all about Thanksgiving leftovers. I polled area culinary professionals about their favorite post-TG dishes and had such a generous response that I ran out of space. So, as promised in the article, here is, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story.” … Continue reading
Dinner at elements
It was a double-header celebration of my birthday and retirement. A most generous friend took me to elements in Princeton for a “twofer” dinner, and we went all-out, ordering a tasting menu, something I’ve always wanted to, but not had a chance to do there before (the whole table has to participate). If you are ever … Continue reading
Pronto!
A new book from Canal House Cooking is always cause for celebration. Volume 8 of their series, Pronto!, was recently released, and provides a winter’s worth of easy to execute recipes for you and your family. Or even (like me), just yourself. I swear, if I were having Thanksgiving dinner on my own (I’ve been … Continue reading
Eat Slow Winter Farmers Market December 8
Slow Food Central New Jersey’s ninth season of “Eat Slow” Winter Farmers Markets kicks off with the first market on December 8th at Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrenceville. From 10am-2pm, Cherry Grove Farm will open its outdoor event barn to market-goers, offering an array of locally grown and produced foods including cheese, baked goods, fresh produce, … Continue reading
Buddy, can you spare a kidney?
And now for an off-topic post: One of the best jobs I ever had was being the Event Coordinator at the long-gone Encore Books & Music store at the Princeton Shopping Center. What a privilege it was to work with writers from near and far on book events and readings. Many of the writers were poets, and … Continue reading
Best Bites: Dinners, Terra Learning Kitchen, Tina Cucina, and winter desserts
I’ve been out quite a bit lately, celebrating my retirement (from my weekday job) and a birthday, plus researching an article I’m working on for Packet Magazine. (If you’ve been wondering where you can order freshly prepared dinners delivered or picked up near you, stay tuned.) What we have here is a mash-up of those meals … Continue reading
NJ SPICE 