Throwing a celebration? Try dishes from my book, The Gluten-Free Grains Cookbook, as well as these signature cocktails inspired by recipes in the book. In April, I celebrated my cookbook,…
I find so often with the slow, intentional labors of love, the pieces start to fall into place and exceed even my obsessive planning. This gathering centered around a bird. Beyond the decision to confit a bird (a first for me), I felt a different sort of reverence for this bird. I didn't just pick up a plasticized cut of meat from the neon-lit cooler. Our friend waited in the cold (this is one part of hunting I do not understand), hunted this bird, plucked its painterly feathers and [mostly] cleaned it (Josh, you could have been a bit more thorough, but we'll allow it). We foraged winter branches, berries and greens from our dog's happy place, which became a centerpiece backdrop for the pheasant feathers. We set the table, dimmed the lights, and the dining room felt pleasantly small and cozy as it brimmed with friends new and old and laughter.
With temperatures dipping into single and negative digits, the only reason to leave the couch is to make warm drinks. Here's some ideas to keep you cozy.
Happy New Year's Eve from this bubbles-loving, crazy dog lady! In the words of this cheeky bottle, here's to "celebrations long and short."
By definition, bitters are bitter and aromatic herbs and spice infusions in tinctures or spirits. You’re probably familiar with the bar staples: Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters, but with the recent focus on mixology, bitters have come to the forefront. There has been more focus on the flavors of bitters and how they can enhance a drink. With the right packaging, homemade bitters are also a perfect DIY gift idea!
When it comes to coffee consumption, I lean toward the Lorelai Gilmore school of thought, ie: more, more, more! I like black coffee with a splash of cream in the morning (followed by a refill). I like short, concentrated cortados in the afternoon, or iced lattes when it’s hot. When it comes time to cheers to the weekend, why stop the coffee? Pair it with a splash of bourbon, and we’re en route to a Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail. What else is in store for the weekend?
Hey! Hi! Hello! It's time for another installment of Cheers to the Weekend, when we chat life over wine or cocktails. This weekend, I'm serving up Nectarine Thyme Whiskey Cocktails featuring a whiskey that made my pals at Pennsylvania Libations rave (PA Libations is a must visit if you're in Pittsburgh): Manatawny Still Works' Keystone Whiskey.
Hulling strawberries is a must, but don’t be so quick to toss those strawberry tops. They still hold a lot of flavor. Unlike other water infusion recipes, this Strawberry Detox Water enables you to use the whole fruit. You’re not just sacrificing fruit to become all soggy and flavorless. Bonus points if you compost the tops after drinking the water too.