The Sisterhood of Southern Okra
Years ago, one of my sisters perfected a Southern Okra dish. Prepare this recipe using garden-fresh produce. Sister’s Southern Okra 4 tablespoons canola oil 1 1/2 cups saltine cracker crumbs 3 eggs 1/4 cup lowfat milk 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt dash of chile powder 2 cups sliced fresh okra (frozen really doesn’t compare) Mix dry ingredients. Set […]
The Whole Note
Does a place exist where everyone’s friendly, the surroundings are beautiful and the clock stops without worry? Whole Foods managed to consume my whole morning and absorb the whole family food budget for the week (possibly part of next’s week budget, too). Friends have sent warnings and they spoke spot-on of the temptation: Whole Foods offers natural beauty in its […]
Boxed to go – back to school lunch tip
The kids are taking lunches to school this year and they’re into their second week of brown bag meals. Have you boxed anything to go lately? We can’t seem to exhaust our excitement for fresh Texas tortillas. Spread tortillas with hummus, roll, and store in a sandwich bag or box.
Today’s temptation
While I was sleeping/packing/moving/unpacking/navigating a new city/writing/marketing/cooking/swimming/playing with the kids and weeding the garden, September snuck up on the calendar. I’m just stating the facts. These comments should not be taken as complaints! Back-to-school for the family means it’s time to learn a few new things around the cookery. Why not try something a little […]
Desperately seeking . . .
a modest herb garden. A fresh start can generate welcome change, but this fresh start means no fresh herbs at arm’s reach. It’s time to replace the lost little garden, left behind in New York. I picked up a spray of Texas basil at Central Market (much more to explore there soon). The basil added a nice aroma and kick to our salad […]
Austin drips fairest church coffee
It seems as if this city–somewhere–produces worthwhile food and beverage every day. This may sting a few church coffee grinders, but it’s no secret that church coffee rarely draws high praises from Sunday crowds. But the coffee poured today at St. Catherine’s (fair trade, freshly ground, just dripped, smokin’ hot in a ceramic mug) beats any church […]
Beijing Chicken heats up this Austin cookery
Our family took the high road to China last night with my Beijing Chicken. We squeezed the last drop of lemon juice from one lonely lemon to create a timely version of the dish here in Austin. If you can’t get to Beijing to check out the Games in person, and like me, you’re settling with the […]
Tortilla flats . . . welcome to Austin
The new cookery is not quite up and running but we’ve almost arrived. Austin rates off the charts. We are digging in with our forks and spoons and checking out the local scene. I’m counting my coins–as always–and spending my money on bread. The boys love the warm tortilla samples at HEB And we’ve learned how to prepare them at home like […]
Scoop this . . . picnic dip
Guests in most sizes, shapes and ages love this easy party picnic dip. It held up well last night at an outdoor fest. The best part: prep time is only 15 minutes. Here’s what you’ll need: 12-16 ounces refried beans 1 cup mild salsa 1 avocado, diced 1 sweet red pepper, chopped 3 scallions, finely chopped 16 […]
Confessional Coconut Cookie Bars
Confession . . . the kids and I are bumping it up a couple of octaves in the cookery today. An ingredient in the cookie bars we’re going to deliver to some hungry teenagers this evening: one full dose of vocals from Freddie Mercury. How’s that for a secret element in the mixture? Coconut […]