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Group therapy or peer pressure?

Group therapy or peer pressure?

Good things come in bunches. Like carrots. When I saw these at the Farmers’ Market I was impressed by the sheer volume. I don’t think the carrots would have had the same impact if there had been only a handful. And a single carrot? Well, 

Brilliante Weblog Premio 2008

Brilliante Weblog Premio 2008

I’m chuffed. And confused. Recently, Lisa from Magic Sprinkles nominated me for a Brillante Weblog thingy. (See the logo on the left.) This pleases me immensely since Lisa’s blog can be pretty funny, especially when she has disastrous results with cake balls. I’m confused because 

Ioan Gruffudd and Welsh Rarebit

Ioan Gruffudd and Welsh Rarebit

Who is Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced YO-an GRIF-th), star of Horatio Hornblower, Fantastic Four, and Amazing Grace, talking to? It could be yours truly. You’ll have to take my word for it since the little audio clip I’d prepared refuses to upload. Something about needing a 

Italian Week – Spaghetti and Meatballs

Italian Week – Spaghetti and Meatballs

I don’t have a drop of Italian blood in me. Fortunately, Debbie does. And with typical Italian generosity, she shares her family’s spaghetti and meatball secrets. It’s a true family recipe, not one ripped from the pages of a magazine and incorporated into family lore 

Italian Week — Butternut Gnocchi

Italian Week — Butternut Gnocchi

Not bad for a first try. Gnocchi has intimidated me ever since I visited friends in Italy and returned from a day of sight seeing to find my hosts and their entire kitchen covered in flour. While I was touring the colosseum in Verona, they’d 

Italian Week — Butternut Risotto

Italian Week — Butternut Risotto

Italian cuisine can be full of surprises. Despite calling for two whole tablespoons of minced garlic, this dish is sweet and unexpectedly subtle. Too subtle for some. Like my father, who diplomatically suggested I shouldn’t bother making it again but was open to lemon pie. 

Italian Week — Marinated Olives

Italian Week — Marinated Olives

Reviewing my Italian week line-up, I realized that unless you’re carb-loading for a marathon, you’ll need a break from the starch I’m about to foist upon you before the week’s over. Stromboli, risotto, spaghetti and gnocchi are all wonderful, but I can feel my waistband 

Italian Week – Stromboli

Italian Week – Stromboli

It’s Italian week and I’m more than a little intimidated. You could spend a lifetime studying its regional dishes and only take a small bite out of the country’s offerings. Where do I start? What should I cover? Can I do The Boot justice? So, 

Local Foods — not!

Local Foods — not!

So much for my Saturday post about local foods. Instead of stands overflowing with fresh produce, these were some of my dining options. While I just happened to be stranded in rain-drenched Chicago O’Hare International Airport, it could have been almost any mall food court