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Risotto with Pink Oyster Mushrooms and Cinnamon
It hasn’t stopped raining for two days. My soul is waking up a little bit, and in some ways, it’s an uncomfortable transition. I think a lot of Busy People Who Don’t Like Being Busy can probably relate… but when I’ve got too much on my plate, I sort of turn down the volume on my emotions, relationships, and the things I tend to enjoy. Which, go figure, makes the work I’m so flooded with, a bit boring despite its creative nature. I’m glad it’s changing. I’m glad I’m slowing down and coming back. And pink mushrooms instigated that change. I’d gone to the market for some pretty heirloom tomatoes.…
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Japanese Dinner Party | Chashu (Braised Pork Belly) with Cold Soba & Cucumber Salad
Chashu, i.e. Japanese braised pork belly, is Japan’s gift to the world. Most Americans may be familiar with its place atop a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen, but the dish is much more versatile than first glance implies. The thin slices can be individually frozen and stored together in the freezer for months (we ALWAYS have some in our freezer). And while you can absolutely pop a few pieces into your instant ramen for a 5 second glow-up, they can also be used in stir fries, with dumplings, or on a simple bowl of steamed rice. If you thought bacon made everything better, get ready for a life upgrade. Now,…
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Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with Shiitakes and Vermouth
If you’ve ever made martinis at home before, chances are you have a bottle of vermouth sitting in the back of your fridge, slowly turning to vinegar. Well, maybe you don’t. But I did! And that’s what inspired this recipe. Even a quite dry vermouth is going to be a sweet alcohol compared to most, and I had a lot to get rid of. So I needed some extremely earthy, savory flavors that could ground all of that sweet tanginess. And boy, did this do the trick. I started with a base of my “creamy” chicken broth (which is just my regular chicken broth at a rolling boil instead of…
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A Japanese Picnic Pt. I | Wasabi Coleslaw
Japanese-Inspired Wasabi Coleslaw 1 medium sized head of bok choy or napa cabbage 1 c. shredded or julienned daikon radish 1/4 purple cabbage, shredded 4-5 green onions or scallions, finely chopped 3 T rice vinegar 1/2 c. mayonnaise 1 t. wasabi paste (or to taste) 1 T white sugar 1/4 t. ground ginger 1/2 t. garlic powder 1/2 t. salt For the coleslaw mix: Thoroughly rinse bok choy or napa cabbage, then cut into thin slices or shred. To a large mixing bowl, add shredded cabbage, daikon radish, purple cabbage, and scallions. Toss to mix. For the dressing: In a small bowl, add vinegar, mayonnaise, wasabi paste, sugar, ginger, garlic…
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Basic Dutch Baby + Savory Spring Dutch Baby with Hollandaise
For anyone who doesn’t follow my Instagram, Myles and I have big news: we’re chicken parents! Even though it’s been more dreary than sunny the last while, we’re buzzing with the idea of spring. I have nearly all of my plants started (I keep saying I’m done, and then I buy more seeds… oops), and the chicks have officially entered their ugly-teen-stage. Things within the house are very much alive, just waiting to burst through the doors once the weather allows. Really, once the man who’s building the house next door allows. We’re situated at the top of a little hill in our little town. It’s nice during flood season…
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Roasted Apple and Butternut Soup (Vegan)
Is it fall again yet? No? Darn. We’re doing this anyway. This soup actually does fit wonderfully into winter, considering the fantastic shelf life of winter squash (which is actually grown and harvested in fall). The acorn and butternut you see in the pictures? I bought them as decor before thanksgiving. If you keep them cool and dry, they can be eaten months later, and there’s hardly a discernible difference. Few fruits or vegetables are that hardy, so these dense squashes are a total gold mine for those who make an effort to eat seasonally. Eat better, save the planet, folks! On the soup: This was inspired by a recent…
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Bastard’s Burgundy– My Version of Beef Bourguignon
Beef bourguignon is one of my favorite things on this earth. I was recently telling Myles that this blog may end up being 95% soup, stew, and bread recipes. That was never the intention… but standing over a bubbling cauldron– or, you know, enameled dutch oven– fills me with all the satisfaction of my childhood kitchen witch fantasies. Bread is similar in that it can feel very old-world. Very slow. Very ritualistic. So gastronomically therapeutic. And I love that. Also, this stew is just good. So if witchy aesthetics aren’t the reason you’re here, this stew should be. It’s velvety, it’s rich, and it’ll make you want to take a really…
ADVENTURES IN FOOD, TRAVEL, AND PHOTOGRAPHY
