cookies

d.i.y.: black and white cookies

d.i.y.: black and white cookies

May 31st, 2013

As a lifelong New Yorker, I’ve had a lifelong relationship with black and white cookies. And we’ve had our ups and downs. See, the idea of the black and white – plain Jane on the bottom, sugar icing on top – meets all of my cookie requirements. And visually, I can’t resist the clean, simple [...]

READ MORE

d.i.y.: samoas

d.i.y.: samoas

April 29th, 2013

Oh yes I did. Samoas were tops on my “D.I.Y.” list – I freaking LOVE Samoas. I always associate this time of year with Girl Scout cookies, so it seemed fitting to make them now. Are you a Samoas fan? I always feel like I’m in the minority, totally outnumbered by team “Thin Mints”. But [...]

READ MORE

put the lime in the coconut…

put the lime in the coconut…

March 28th, 2013

…and make macaroons of course! For those of us celebrating Passover, a can of these in the house is as ubiquitous as a box of matzoh or a jar of horseradish. I’m not much of a fan though – they’re too sweet and sticky, even for me. But these. These lovely macaroons are the complete opposite [...]

READ MORE

you say macaroons…

you say macaroons…

March 21st, 2013

Passover’s approaching, and I’m on my annual hunt for a few yummy, flourless desserts. And I decided that this year it was finally time to tackle the one. The one I’ve been avoiding for too long now. The one I even TOOK A CLASS FOR. And had yet to make. Yes, it was time. I [...]

READ MORE

with love

with love

March 18th, 2013

So I have this friend – R. And I love him so, so much. R lost his mom last week, after a long and unpleasant battle with a chronic illness. I’ve been talking to R a lot over the past few weeks, as things seemed to be escalating, and the prognosis was not good.  Hearing [...]

READ MORE

here’s the nice.

here’s the nice.

December 31st, 2012

Okay. They’re not exactly health food. But compared to my last post they’re pretty angelic, no? And they are fat-free and gluten-free, which is about as close to “nutritious” as it’s going to get here….. And how perfect will these be, with some champagne at midnight tonight? Happy New Year – I hope it’s lovely. [...]

READ MORE

short. and sweet. and easy. and…

short. and sweet. and easy. and…

December 23rd, 2012

….delicious. Okay, so you need one more quick and easy holiday cookie? Really? The bars weren’t enough? I hear you. And I bring you shortbread. In baking terms,”short” refers to a cookie that has a high proportion of fat to flour. From The Kitchn: “Usually these short doughs are very rich, crumbly, and tender with butter. [...]

READ MORE

raise the bar

raise the bar

December 12th, 2012

I feel like I go through phases with my baking. There are times where I feel like a machine – endless reserves of energy and inspiration, and the cookies and cakes just keep on coming. And then there are times when I’m completely uninspired, and I just want easy. You know, minimal effort, but still expecting [...]

READ MORE

just a pinch: spices

just a pinch: spices

December 6th, 2012

This is my spice rack: And I bet it looks a lot like yours.  Spices, to me, are nothing special. Something to be added to a dish if the recipe calls for it – and that is all. I don’t spend a lot of money, time or thought on them.  I do not grind whole [...]

READ MORE

compost. cookies.

compost. cookies.

October 29th, 2012

Confession time. I’m a garden designer (and gardener) – who doesn’t compost. I know. While composting is definitely on “that list” of things we say we’re going to do every year – well, it never seems to happen. And while I am not proud of this, I clearly don’t feel badly (or motivated) enough to [...]

READ MORE