Tag: success and disaster

“Heather, Please Pack Your Knives and Go”

I’m a die-hard Top Chef fan.  I hinted at my obsession a few months ago, but we do take it pretty seriously around here.  In fact, the other night Madison asked me if I could sit with her while she got ready for bed but after taking one look at the TV, decided to ask

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Wait, What? Curry is Supposed to be Hot?

Yes, I know.  I’ve heard the rumors of people ordering the three chili special and then sweating profusely or running to the nearest bathroom at breakneck speed but to be honest every time I’ve cooked with curry I’ve thought to myself, “What’s the big deal?”  Um, yeah well that was until I used fresh curry

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12 Days of Christmas: New Year’s

Was it just me or were the holidays a little weird this year?  I kept finding myself going through the motions of creating holiday cheer but not actually feeling it.  So, for me, New Year’s arrived with a sigh of relief.  This year, my dear friend Rob came for the weekend and my parents ended

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12 Days of Christmas: Christmas Eve Dinner

From a food standpoint, Christmas Eve started off badly.  In short, I committed the cardinal sin of farmers market shopping – making a list.  I think I’ve mentioned before that I am able to purchase roughly 70% of my weekly groceries at the Vista Farmers Market – one of the best markets in North County. 

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Thanksgiving Day Photo Op

Alright, I know most of us have already moved on to Christmas shopping/decorating/light hanging, etc.  And, I totally meant to post this on Friday, but I was still nursing a serious pie-hangover.  But, I made the family wait to eat until each dish had been photographed and if I don’t use the pictures they will

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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

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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

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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

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