Chili and cool weather: match made
A cool breeze is blowin’ through Austin so break out the chili pans or plan to sample cook-off tastings. The Cookery welcomes guest blogger Jane Manaster, Austin writer and geographer, with a heads-up on chili season. Thanks, Jane! Take some heat from Jane: Now that we can look forward to manageable weather, our culinary thoughts turn from […]
Rhubarb Pie . . . from your own oven
Keen on rhubarb? Here’s a look at Mama’s rhubarb pie . . . just in from our 80-year-old baking mama. She’s sending out the challenge to give this one a try. No time to make crust? Take the shortcut if you don’t want to factor in crust preparation. Strawberry Rhubarb Custard Pie […]
Two-day Baba
More or less, it took two days to prepare Baba Ghannouj this week, though active time clocked at just under 30 minutes. We grilled out last night, and I roasted a plump eggplant in preparation for another meal. Today, I reached for the roasted eggplant (from the refrigerator) and blended it with my remaining baba ingredients. Here’s my basic baba recipe: Two-Day […]
Curried egg salad lands a school lunch date
Lunch date? This curried egg salad gets the nod, and it’s booked for a back-to-school lunch (or two). The Cookery dabbled in several variations of traditional egg and mayo samples, but this curried blend (thanks, Jane, for the inspiration) starts the school year off with an extra kick and holds up well in a wrap. Get set and […]
Beyond Hobo Stew
When the cookery Cub Scouts offer to cook, I step aside . . . but not too far away when slicing and dicing are called for because we’ve already acquired a few stitches thanks to a very impressive pocketknife injury (not sustained while cooking . . . but through that transferable craft of whittling). The boys put their […]
Topanga Tart
Topanga Tart Gather your favorite fresh fruit and turn it into a tart for a perfect imperfect summer dessert. This Cookery’s been on-again-off-again during summer travels, but I folded this tart together while we were away in California. When you can make yourself at home in someone’s home, that’s a pleasure. And when you’re welcome […]
Pasta Pagoda
Looking for an affordable summer filler for the family table? Pasta can take on many forms, but twisty, curly pasta always seems to keep the kids focused on meals around our picnic table. The Cookery likes gluten free Ancient Harvest Quinoa Garden Pagodas, but any pasta will do. Here’s our take on Pasta Pagoda: Cook […]
Siding with Goldilocks
Serve it hot, chilled, or just right, but we sided with Goldilocks and finished the last drop of this bowl at room temperature. Nathalie Dupree inspired this version of roasted red bell pepper soup in her Matters of Taste cookbook. I’ve grown to love several of Nathalie’s later recipes from her Comfortable Entertaining cookbook, and when I came across Matters […]
Boost protein on a budget with bean bargains
Looking for a diversion from your usual protein boost? Try a white bean, chicken and sausage cassoulet. White beans remain a reliable dollar stretcher. You decide how much chicken and sausage to spring for to round out this dish. The Cookery tested this version of white bean, chicken and sausage cassoulet from RecipeZaar. It pleases with […]
Cookbook release . . . Modern Spice
“Modern Spice,” a new cookbook with inspired Indian flavors by Monica Bhide, will hit shelves next week. The Cookery would love to add this one to the collection. Monica offers cooking encouragement with a subtle approach. Read her recipes and give them a chance. We tested Monica’s Butternut Squash, Coconut and Lamb Stew back in February to headline […]