Order up . . . New design spices up The Cookery
Hello, friends! With a new season in mind, I’m re-launching my site and blog with an enhanced design and fresh menu at The Cookery. It’s been my pleasure to collaborate with Imedia Web Inc. of Austin, with the talented Robert Lopez taking the lead. We’ve been working on the new look over the summer, and […]
I Hate to Cook . . . the book
The Cookery welcomes Jane Manaster who shares this guest post with all of us. Many thanks, Jane! The I Hate to Cook Book, New York, Grand Central, 2010. Fiftieth anniversary edition. Even those of us who enjoy cooking run out of ideas sometimes. When Peg Bracken published her I Hate to Cook Book, it wasn’t […]
Sweetest Chard
With a little bitter and a load of sweet, this recipe for Swiss Chard reserves its place at the table. Couldn’t resist picking up a bunch of colorful, leafy chard at the market? Try my sweet and simple variation on chard. Sweetest Swiss Chard One bunch Swiss chard, rinsed, ends trimmed, chopped 3 cloves garlic, diced 2 tablespoons olive […]
Peach cobbler fast facts
Fast facts about this peach cobbler: It’s a pie crust variation on the Dutch Oven dessert with very little mess. We don’t have a genuine Dutch Oven, but a versatile oven-safe stock pot works well in The Cookery’s oven. If you’re not camping out and preparing peach cobbler over an open fire, make this at home. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and […]
Potluck pleasure is . . .
. . . finding nothing but crumbs when you return to the potluck food table to retrieve your platter/bowl/basket. When anything goes, share a platter of crab rangoon. Celebrate the benefits: this pot promises to be a sure thing, you don’t waste a mountain of ingredients, and you avoid spilling leftovers all over your favorite World Cup t-shirt. Bring home […]
Smoothie smarts
Are you smarter than a fourth grader? Here’s a smoothie fix tested and tasted by third and fourth graders. The smoothie blenders based their fruit choices on what they found around The Cookery . . . just right bananas, melon and oranges. Great smoothies! Smart Smoothies 16 ounces plain yogurt 2 ripe peeled bananas 4 cups chopped melon […]
Match this salad with summer
Garbanzo beans don’t get much credit in our avocado salad, but they pull it all together. This salad works any time, and it’s a great match with summer. Here’s one from The Cookery archives . . . Through the Garden Avocado Salad 1 large ripe avocado (or 3 small) 12 oz. (1 can) garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) ¼ of […]
Get that party started with this caponata
Changing up the party menu this summer? Get that party started with this caponata, explosive with the flavors of green olives, eggplant, roasted red pepper, tomatoes, red onion, and garlic. The Cookery served this last week with crackers and fresh zucchini rounds. You may find a great selection of caponata recipes, but try Nathalie Dupree’s easy variation.
Something sweet . . . and good to eat
Not in peak season but available almost everywhere, sweet potatoes are still shaking up taste buds around The Cookery this spring. I’ve had a run-in with sweet potatoes in recent weeks, starting with a superb soup at an Austin restaurant. Then a neighbor shared a load of unwanted sweet potatoes. These were beautiful and I couldn’t think of turning […]
Hungry? Make this a meal
Hungry? Round up four primary ingredients and make this a meal. Prepare rice and chicken to your liking, add fresh spinach and feta, and fold these flavors into a worthy meal. Skip the chicken or substitute rice with your preferred grains to recycle your recipe.