Author: Charmian Christie

What is Cooking?

What is Cooking?

I had planned on ignoring the whole New York Times article with its provocative title “Cooking Isn’t Creative, and It Isn’t Easy.”  Alex Halberstadt’s article profiles Christopher Kimball and gives a behind-the-scene look at Cook’s Illustrated. I was ignoring it. I had my La-La-La-I-Can’t-Hear-You fingers 

Damn You, Biscotti! Die! DIE!

Damn You, Biscotti! Die! DIE!

Three tries. It took me three kicks at the proverbial can (or pan, in this case), several hours and a couple of meltdowns to figured out how to make savory biscotti that A) didn’t taste like stuffing and B) didn’t fall apart like a cheap 

Ten Years and Counting

Ten Years and Counting

At my parent’s 50th anniversary party, they shared the secret to their long and happy marriage:  Never wallpaper together. I think those were simpler times. We don’t have a strip of wallpaper in the entire house, but require an elaborate and potentially expensive system to 

Flying Blind

Flying Blind

I’m flying blind here. And I’m being about as literal as you can get. Due to technical reasons far beyond my comprehension, when I write a blog post the text is invisible. You can read this because it somehow rights itself once posted to the 

Preserving tomatoes regardless of quantity

Preserving tomatoes regardless of quantity

Clearly, my tomatoes aren’t getting enough love. When my back was turned, they  produced and produced and produced — to the point they toppled over and smothered the Swiss chard. Lying on the ground, they continued the fight. Not only did they produce more fruit, 

Spirited Fruit (and Sangria)

Spirited Fruit (and Sangria)

I am not to be trusted. I head to the Farmers’ Market with a clearly written list and rock solid resolve. And what do I return with? Way more items than intended and a feeling of panic. Where will I store all these plums? When 

Golden Beet and Yellow Tomato Soup

Golden Beet and Yellow Tomato Soup

There’s a great moment in the pilot episode of Firefly. Against a backdrop of falling bombs, exploding grenades and rounds of gun fire, Bendis, a very young and very terrified solider fears he’s going to die. His superior, played by the ever-so dishy Nathan Fillion, 

Instant Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

Instant Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

This frozen yogurt has four ingredients. Four healthy ingredients. Yet it tastes like something you’d treat yourself to after a hard afternoon of gardening. Or in my case, after a hard night’s sleep. I had it for breakfast the other day instead of my usual 

Whatever Happened to Sunday Dinner?

Whatever Happened to Sunday Dinner?

When you write about food for a living it’s easy to forget that it’s not always just about ingredients or recipes. Creating a new twist on the chocolate chip cookie isn’t as important as baking a batch with a friend. Bland chicken needs nothing more