There is no denying the allure of pasta. With seemingly infinite shapes and sizes, there is pasta for every need. From homemade to store-bought, pasta is always welcome at the table, no matter what the season. When we cook pasta, we like to play with ingredients like duck bacon and foie gras, truffles and truffle…
Month: March 2017
Even the French are Irish Today
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! They say everyone is Irish today – even the French, although they would say Irlandais. In America it’s almost true, because about 33.3 million people report Irish ancestry. So let’s all wear the green today, and celebrate all things Irish. We have a few Irish recipes to inspire you, and an Irish toast: Every food…
Gascony: The Most Delicious Part of France
In a recent New York Times article, David McAninch asks the question “Is Gascony the most delicious part of France?” To which Ariane answers, “Of course it is!” For Gascon food is richer than the sunny cuisine of Provence. It is unabashedly, defiantly rich. Duck fat, not olive oil, is the local currency. Everything gets cooked…
Rabbit: The Other White Meat
The big question: why don’t Americans eat more rabbit? Is it because they are cute and fuzzy? Or because some people keep them as pets? In fact, we are eating more rabbit now than at any other time since World War II. But that’s still not a lot, compared to European countries, and it’s a…
For the Love of Waffles
Waffles seem to be everywhere these days. They are trending in a big way, from food trucks to fine dining. And they’ve earned a spot in culinary history. Who made the first waffles? The ancient Greeks cooked cakes between two hot metal plates and served them savory, which is how we like waffles, too. Though…
You’ll Never Believe What’s in These Vending Machines
Now trending: meat at your fingertips. Simply insert your credit card into one of these vending machines and receive the butcher’s bounty. Vending machines are associated with junk foods and a hint of desperation, but all that could change with this idea. In Paris, just outside of a Basque butcher shop, you can buy their…
Kitchen Skills: Get the Maillard Reaction
Maillard (my-YAR) reaction is a culinary term for something you have no doubt been enjoying your whole life. The dictionary defines it as, “a nonenzymatic reaction between sugars and proteins that occurs upon heating and that produces browning of some foods (as meat and bread).” And we all know that’s where the flavor is. When…
7 Mediterranean Dishes You Will Love
The flavors of the Mediterranean include olives and olive oil, lamb, meat stews, and of course, bread and wine. It’s a wide geographical area that includes a variety of cultures with pretty distinct cuisines. Italy, Greece, Southern France, North Africa, Spain, the Levant … all can be included in the Mediterranean basket, but they produce…
Quail is the New Chicken
In recent years the noble chicken has been making more backyard appearances, as the interest in well-raised food grows. With websites full of how-to advice, including the inspirational 2,500+ photos of coops at Backyard Chickens, it has never been easier to become an urban farmer and eat fresh eggs for breakfast. But there is a…
Celebrating Women in Culinary Culture
The first International Women’s Day observance was held on February 28, 1909, in New York. Today it is celebrated on March 8th, and the theme this year is Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030. It’s of particular interest when it comes to the culinary work place, where it is often noticed,…
Your New Favorite Cut: Porterhouse Lamb Chops
For fans of lamb, these are the ultimate lamb chops. They are the most tender chop on a lamb and come thickly cut and bone in. How thick? A good 2 inches of pure lamb flavor. Hefty, tender and oh, so grillable, this new lamb chop is going to change your dinner plans. The Porterhouse…
New Arrival: Porterhouse Lamb Chops
For fans of lamb, these are the ultimate lamb chops. They are the most tender chop on a lamb, and come thickly cut and bone in. How thick? A good 2 inches of pure lamb flavor. Hefty, tender and oh, so grillable, this new lamb chop is going to change your dinner plans. The Porterhouse…
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