Six years ago I was working for a national housewares-store-that-shall-not-be-named. I was the kitchenware department manager for about six months and one of the best things about working there was learning about new gadgets, machines, containers, cookware, cutlery and ingredients. It was there that I discovered one of my favorite gadgets EVER. Up until the
Category: In the Kitchen
How NOT to Roast a Chicken
“Cousin Courtney” is the daughter of my “Auntie Roxann” – one of the Butter Sisters. She recently went back to work and – like many of us – is juggling work, family and food. When she found out that I had a stash of family-friendly recipes she asked me if I could start sending her
You Have a Fever? Try an Enchilada
I come from a long line of emotional eaters and feeders. Good food was the cure-all in my family when I was growing up. (Unless of course you’re throwing up every 15 minutes – then good liquids were the cure-all.) As I’ve mentioned before my mom always had something yummy on the stove or in
Powdered Sugar is not Flour
This is one of my favorite holiday cooking stories. Ever. Last Christmas my “gift” to my family was 10 days of gourmet meals – really. (More on that in future posts, promise!) Anyway, on my one night off from cooking an entire meal, (I was still responsible for popping the popcorn – stovetop NOT microwave
I Probably Watch Too Much Top Chef
I first saw this recipe on season 4 of Top Chef. One of the Best. Shows. Ever. I’ve been a die-hard fan since season 3 when Trey was sent home for restaurant wars. This past Christmas I received the Top Chef: The Quickfire Cookbook and immediately read it cover to cover. (I don’t usually do
Buttercream FAIL: Timing is Everything
Last weekend I attempted buttercream frosting (my nemesis!) again. The result: not so good. This was brought on by a “Barefoot Contessa” marathon which appears on my TV every Sunday morning courtesy of my DVR. Oh, Ina. You made it looks so easy. With your cheery demeanor and grace in the kitchen. How could I
The Economics of Bread
When I first moved in with my brother, money was tight. I mean really tight. So tight in fact that one day at the grocery store I decided that paying $5.39 for a loaf of non-sugary-starchy bread was ridiculous. Instead, I spent $3.99 for a five-pound bag of flour and $1.69 for a 3-pack of
Tonight We are Carving Pumpkins
About ten years ago I threw a party for a bunch of my twenty-something friends. We met at my place for dinner, pumpkin carving and a pinata. (Hey, who doesn’t love a pinata?) Anyway, I cooked my first-ever Shepherd’s Pie and I was hooked. I didn’t exactly follow the recipe, but it still turned out
Cooking For Madison 