Category Archives: Worth the Time

Esquire’s “World’s Easiest Dinner” Roast Chicken

World's Easiest Meal Roast Chicken in the Oven

You're definitely throwing down the gauntlet when you name something the "World's Easiest Dinner." the second my FIL received his Esquire and found it, they had to try it. Actually, they emailed everyone a scanned copy of the recipe, and tried it that night. We're up next.

Continue Reading »

Hello, My Name is Farro

A couple of years ago a brown, nutty, slightly chewy grain started appearing in the dishes I'd order at restaurants. It usually came as an accompaniment, a few grains or a small pile amid some fresh vegetables ...

Continue Reading »

Grilled Quail with Garlic and Sage

Quail are small, dainty, and give off a "fancy" feel. Maybe that's because they can be sort of expensive -- at 2 per person for a main. But they're good as an appetizer (one or half per person) too if you're having ...

Continue Reading »

Sunday Dinner: Crispy Apple Tart

Here's where I make good on my promise to share not just the good, but also the bad and the ugly with you. Yep, no fooling you. That picture shows a pretty glorious looking apple tart there in the ...

Continue Reading »

David Lebovitz’s Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream

I think I'm in love. Yes, in love with an ice cream. It's rich and creamy and just a touch bitter... and maybe a little too sweet. And when I eat a spoonful, I think, ooh, that's enough, it's too rich and too ...

Continue Reading »

Sunday Dinner: Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Lemon Butter

Shhh... I actually made this on Saturday but if you don't tell anyone, neither will I! I know brussels sprouts aren't most people's favorites, but for some reason in the past couple of years I have fallen in love with them. They can be ...

Continue Reading »

Roasted Baby Artichokes with a Garlicy Twist

I can tell we're specializing here in dishes that look really cook and impressive but in fact are easy to through together. In fact Monday's dinner was simple from top to bottom, from the braised scallops to the blueberry cheesecake ice cream (stay ...

Continue Reading »

Sunday Dinner: Bah Kut Teh

For Chinese New Year we decided to go with a Chinese soup -- of Teo Chew origin, with some Hokkien in there too -- so well tied to our heritage. It's essentially a big bowl of pork spare ribs, boiled up in all those spices so they penetrate the meat. And I have been craving ...

Continue Reading »

Sunday Dinner: Sunchokes

Sunchokes may also be known as Jerusalem Artichokes, but they are no artichoke. In fact they are all brown and knobby and look a lot more like overgrown ginger (but don't taste like ginger) than anything else. I feel like we've been seeing ...

Continue Reading »

Holiday Eating: Brown Butter Pecan Pie

I haven't made pie very many times in my life. But today we had some of Gus's students over for a mini-holiday party -- putting up the Xmas tree -- so I thought I'd go out on a limb and whip up a ...

Continue Reading »