Entries from February 2011

apple tarte tatin

February 16, 2011 · 3 Comments

cutting it up.

Valentine’s Day! The two words conjure images of overpriced roses, expensive and hard to get dinner reservations, lacy lingerie and dark chocolate. To a lot of my friends, it also means “corporate swill,” “time for alcohol” and “grumpiness.”

I am in neither of these camps; I actually like February 14th. I like telling all my single friends how much I love and appreciate them, giving out candy to my coworkers and using those chalk-like candy hearts as writing implements. But with Christmas, New Year’s, my birthday at the end of January, Reid’s last Wednesday, and my best friend’s on the 11th, I have to admit: I was a little gifted and partied out.

So, no braving our town’s many delicious (and overbooked) restaurants, no trying to find a parking spot for 20 goddamn minutes, no annoying-trophy-moms-asking-our-favorite-barstaff-for-another-pinot! Last night, Reid and I made our Valentine dinner after a quick trek to the grocery store.

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Categories: apples · baking · tarts

herbed white bean and sausage stew

February 10, 2011 · 3 Comments

herbed white bean and sausage stew.

Having been born and raised some 24 years in the temperate climes of Southern California, stews, braises and all other things reserved for freezing weather were basically made out of novelty. Don’t get me wrong: I loved cooking a good stew, but the fact that cooking things over a low flame for a long period of time can essentially warm your house was lost on me completely (I mean, it’s always 65º in Los Angeles, right?)

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Categories: beans · sausage · stew · winter