Invade your own kitchen and make these dumplings

Warm up at home with a comfort meal. You’ll master a no-fail dish and find yourself with plenty of cash left in the food budget to splurge dining out. Try this variation on chicken and dumplings, an old family favorite that I love to prepare with my mom’s beat up old roaster pan.

She likes bread but it doesn’t like her — GF for Sadie

sweet bread

By Jane Manaster I always thought gluten free was a fad or a demand for attention. Now that we find our 6 ½ -year-old granddaughter is a celiac, the issue takes on a personal and more serious relevance. We know wheat, rye, and barley are to be avoided, rice and corn are OK so it’s […]

Watching your back with a look at 2012

How did life present itself to you in 2012? Watch your back . . . and recount memorable meals shared with friends and family. The Cookery marks five years at WordPress this weekend, and though I found myself limited in posting time (graduate studies finally completed), I was lucky to read favorites around the Web […]

Breaking bread al fresco style

Ready or not, 2013 is upon us. Pack a winter picnic and ring in the new year al fresco style.  Check out my recent article, Fresh-Air Fun, and catch the outdoor vibe. May life take you outdoors in your new year. Happy hiking . . .

Cookie tips for the marathon baker

We’re warming up the oven for some marathon cookie baking this week, and if you’re up to baking, check out this gift of baking tips from Jane Manaster . . .  two traditional tips to try when mixing cookies by hand. 1. When you are mixing cookies, or any other recipe in a large bowl […]

Living and giving with the gift of soup

If I haven’t said enough good things about our frequent guest, Jane Manaster, let me sing praises here. Thank you, Jane, for all the good you share with The Cookery. Here’s another guest post about living and giving from Jane that places the focus on others less fortunate. Soup Preparation At a Sukkah party at […]

Conduct your own nutrient analysis during National School Breakfast Week

It’s National School Breakfast Week, and though you may not venture anywhere near school cafeterias, it’s as good a time as any to conduct your own nutrient analysis. Take your breakfast inventory and change it up this week. Baked apples for breakfast? Warm up with this easy variation on baked apples. Easy Baked Oven Apples […]

New Year Gumbo from My New Orleans

New Year Gumbo If you’re looking for real cooking from a solid chef, you’ll appreciate the recipes in My New Orleans from Chef John Besh. The colossal cook book landed on our new doorstep in October and flashed a familiar return address – our former residence in Austin that we left behind in 2011. The […]

93-year-old grandma cooks up happy holiday gram

We won’t mention any names, lest we spoil the surprise of those who may find one of these recipe grams in their Christmas stockings this year. The Cookery likes this gift idea created by a 93-year-old grandmother who boasts dozens of grandchildren and great-grands. She’s sure to bring out the spirit of giving with this personal gift. […]

Packin’ up the chuck box

Welcome to The Cookery, a space to digest life, explore food and keep it real, to read, and to write. I’m writing from another new kitchen, and our family has made the way from Texas to New York. After packing up May 31, we bounced around the country and lived out of suitcases for four […]