Recent Posts

Appetizers + Snacks

Pineapple-Cranberry Infused Vodka

Serves 8-10 1 ripe pineapple 1 liter vodka (we like Tito’s) 3 cups cranberries Remove the outer layer of the pineapple and trim the top and bottom. Cut the fruit into wedges (you don’t have to remove the core – it’s all good.) Place the pineapple into one large glass […]

Entrees + Mains

Carbonara with Smoked Salmon 

Serves 4 8 ounces pappardelle  3 tablespoons olive oil 8 sage leaves 4 large eggs ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano Pasta cooking water 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 6 ounces hot smoked salmon, broken apart For serving: grated Pecorino Romano, black pepper Bring a large pot of water to boil […]

Stories

Looking back on 2022

This story is my Times Union column from December 2022. It goes along with How to Build a Better Cheese Tray, Pineapple Cranberry Vodka, and Smoked Salmon Carbonara. You can also see it on the TU website here. One of the really nice things about the end of the year […]

Sweets + Desserts

Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Cranberry Swirl

Makes one 9-inch cake For the topping: 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, chopped 1 cup granulated sugar Pinch salt Peeled zest from ½ orange (about 6 strips) 2 tablespoons dark rum ⅛ teaspoon cloves For the cake:  ½ cup olive oil 2 eggs ½ cup applesauce 1 cup granulated sugar, […]

Entrees + Mains

Paul’s Pot Roast with Carrots and Herb Gravy

Serves 4 Kosher salt 3 ½ pound chuck roast Olive oil 1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 4 cups beef broth (unsalted, if store-bought) 1 cup red wine 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 bay leaf 1 sprig fresh rosemary 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 teaspoon kosher […]

Stories

Thanksgiving sans turkey

It was kind of a disaster, our Thanksgiving two years ago, but really, who didn’t have a disastrous holiday in 2020? We planned for an intimate affair, just the five of us and one boyfriend, but then Zoe and that boyfriend were exposed to COVID and so instead of coming […]

Grains + Sides

Za’atar

  Makes ½ cup ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds 2 tablespoons dried sumac (see note) 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon each marjoram and oregano Stir together the ingredients and keep tightly closed in a glass jar. Keeps for 3 months.  Note: Sumac is a dried ground berry with a […]

Sweets + Desserts

Vanilla Pumpkin Spice Pudding

Serves 6 ½ cup sugar ⅓ cup brown sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 1 rounded teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon clove ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 3 cups whole milk (almond or soy milk works too) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup pumpkin puree Whipped cream, for serving In a […]