When I first started cooking and baking for myself, part out of necessity and probably part to challenge myself with something new, I began to pay attention to two things. First, discover bakeries, cafes, little restaurants, etc. that were not part of big chains, and […]

Over the years we have been learning how to make a few more of our favorite beverages ourselves. Part creative outlet and a whole lot of fun, especially when they work! We make limoncello, eggnog, Kahlua, and have tried our hand at tonic, ginger beer, […]

Fish & Chips conjure up many memories for me. I have a lot of memories of my parents in particular ordering them at places like Dick’s (Spokane) and Zip’s and virtually anywhere they were offered on a menu.  We really didn’t go out to eat […]

H.L. Mencken said ” The only American invention as perfect as the sonnet” is the martini. Well said. Traditionally served before dinner, the martini has its own place in the American lexicon and is as famous as many of the people who loved to drink […]

Like most tales from the Emerald Isle, the origin of Irish Coffee seems to have more versions of its history than could possibly be true. The idea of mixing a spirit or liqueur with coffee most likely has heritage in other parts of Europe. The […]

You can probably tell that when I cook, and a lot of the stuff I write about in this blog tends to have a certain focus. I like the do-it-yourself type recipes. I guess you could call it a hobby of sorts. Cooking, curing, smoking, […]

I have mentioned it before and I will probably always think this way, that in most cases, across multiple cultures, peasant food is the best food. The poor folks have had to do much more with much less and had to find a way to […]

A French term most often used in reference to a square or rectangular-shaped serving of food. The term “pavé” translates as “little pavers” or “cobblestone.” The pavé probably also has roots in the gratin, that dish your mother or grandmother or aunt would bring to […]

Seems like Bloody Mary’s are either loved or loathed. Many loathe it because they can’t get passed the spice, or the tomato juice or the fact that an alcoholic beverage can or should be savory. Many love it because it is one of the great […]

Making pickles is a lot easier than you think. In fact, pickling almost anything is a great, low-cost way to “control” your vegetables (organic, local etc.) without having to drop $12 a jar for the ones at the local Co-Op. I know, I know, we […]