Thursday, December 20, 2001
Tawny Orange Marmalade Cake
It’s clean-out-the-pantry time for me, and there always seems to be some kind of preserves, jam, jelly, marmalade that needs to be used up for thrown away. If, in your cupboard, there’s a jar of marmalade lurking, this is an excellent and simple cake to bake. It seems seasonal, too; for one of those holiday-time afternoons when friends drop by for holiday cheer, or for a family brunch or breakfast. Besides going well with tea and coffee, it’s the right kind of cake to go with a glass of Port or sweet wine. How about with a glass of eggnog? [more]
Tuesday, December 18, 2001
Farmhouse Chocolate Potato Cake
This recipe is from One Potato, Two Potato by Roy Finamore and Molly Stevens, a book of more than 300 extremely tempting recipes for one of America’s favorite foods. [more]
Monday, December 17, 2001
Brussels Sprouts
Last year, Whole Foods Market, the giant supermarket that features organic foods and high-end specialty foods, opened in Manhattan. As what we call “The Taste” on the Weekend program I do with Joan Hamburg on Saturday mornings, Whole Foods sent over a tray of prepared take-out dishes for us to sample. Joan was on vacation and I was doing the program with Joy Brown, our on-air psychologist. Of all the things on the tray, Joy, the famous chocoholic, was popping whole Brussels sprouts like they were bonbons. The sprouts were slightly soft, salty, oily, sweet, and ever-so charred from their high and dry heat treatment. I loved them, too. [more]
Saturday, December 15, 2001
Year-End Cookbook Round-Up, Part 2
All the books highlighted in the following Diary item can be purchased through Amazon by clicking on the highlighted title, which will connect you to the book’s Amazon page. If you order books in this way you are supporting this website. As I hope you have noticed, there is no advertising on The Food Maven. The site is partially and only minimally supported by Amazon book sales. So, if you see, something you want, please buy it here. Remember, Amazon discounts books so well – most are 30% less than in bookstores – that even with shipping you pay less. [more]
Friday, December 14, 2001
Year-End Cookbook Round-Up, Part 1
All the books highlighted in the following Diary item can be purchased through Amazon by clicking on the highlighted title, which will connect you to the book’s Amazon page. If you order books in this way you are supporting this website. As I hope you have noticed, there is no advertising on The Food Maven. The site is partially and only minimally supported by Amazon book sales. So, if you see, something you want, please buy it here. Remember, Amazon discounts books so well – most are 30% less than in bookstores – that even with shipping you pay less. [more]
Friday, December 07, 2001
Online Holiday Shopping
There have been predictions in the business press that, because of the fear of terrorism, this year’s holiday shopping is going to be done more on-line (on the computer, on the world-wide web, however you put it) than ever before. That’s like predicting that March is going to follow February. Even if there was no fearful atmosphere this season, it was only a matter of time before we were going to discover the convenience and ease of shopping on websites from the comfort of our homes. [more]
Thursday, December 06, 2001
Wine Buy: Quinta de Pancas Cabernet Sauvignon
This week’s Wine Buy is a Cabernet Sauvignon that is, says Carol Berman, Food Talk sommelier, what a Cabernet should be. That means it is a perfectly balanced wine – great fruit flavors and bouquet, good acidity, not terribly tannic -- that is both elegant and refined. [more]
Wednesday, December 05, 2001
Gingered Pear and Apricot Crisp
Don’t laugh, cringe, or say this recipe is totally out of character for Arthur, the food maven, the guy who eats only fresh food and cooks from scratch. When you are cooking for a crowd and have a busy out-of-kitchen life, you need to take a few shortcuts. Canned fruit is one convenience product that I believe in. [more]
Tuesday, December 04, 2001
A Buffet Menu: Plus Couscous and Bean Salad
I composed the following buffet menu more as an example than as a directive. In other words, it is not a real menu, but simply to give you ideas. I have had success with all of the dishes and their recipes. I have certainly prepared them all, most of them many times, but I have not served them altogether at one party. [more]
Monday, December 3, 2001
Circassian Chicken
Buffet food.
It should be dishes that can be eaten with the fingers or only a fork. No knives please. [more]
