At the moment, I'm shrub obsessed - and I don't mean the shrubs that grow in garden. Starting with this Spiced Pineapple Shrub, I'm going to enjoy these sweet-and-vinegary drinks all summer long. I first tasted shrubs a few years ago, at Russ & Daughters, a famous Lower East Side delicatessen. The beet shrub there was memorable. Although I dreamed of re-creating that drink, somehow I never got around to it. Then our cousin Zach visited last week. He's totally fun; when he ... read more
How to Tell if Pineapple is Ripe
The first step in making great food with fresh pineapple is knowing how to tell if pineapple is ripe. This week I'm playing mad scientist. Chopping, stirring, and tasting two variations on a pineapple shrub. One will be a spiced pineapple shrub drink and the other will be a pineapple ginger mint shrub. If you don't know about shrubs, stay tuned. They are fabulous hot weather drinks, made with fruit or vegetables, a sweetener, and vinegar. Shrubs can be made with liquor, but they are also ... read more
Blueberry Rhubarb Streusel Cake
As I write this post, there is a Blueberry Rhubarb Streusel Cake in the oven. I should have eaten dinner before I started baking, because the aroma is driving me mad. It will be part of our ... read more
Summery Tomato Cucumber Mint Salad
Summery Tomato Cucumber Mint Salad began with my propensity to get a bit ahead of myself. I've got herbs and tomatoes growing on the deck, but they are nowhere near ready to eat. ... read more
What is the Difference Between Granulated, Light Brown, and Dark Brown Sugar?
I've been doing a lot of baking in the past few weeks. And that brought to mind a question I've always wondered about - what's the difference between granulated, light brown, and dark brown sugar? ... read more
Easy Rum-Glazed Grilled Bananas
I do love dessert. While elegant chocolate rolls, scrumptious pies, and homemade ice cream are among my favorite foods, there is something truly wonderful about a dessert that takes only 15 minutes ... read more
Hungry for more?
