Truffled Scalloped Potatoes - A celebration!

"Truffled Scalloped Potatoes are perfect for celebrations!"



Truffled scalloped potatoes are good. I know because I just had some for breakfast. And I had some for dinner last night. And some for dinner three nights before that. With all that time with scalloped potatoes you would think I could get a good photo of them, but the light of winter just doesn't want to cooperate.

I made these

Saffron Chicken and What a Sick Person Eats

The high winds blew me from Phoenix to Denver yesterday. Manservant picked me up at the airport and then we made our way to happy hour. Happy hour is not something we normally do but being St Patrick's Day and the fact that I really was home, prompted us to stop off at McCormick's for some good deals. They had mussels steamed with Guinness in honor of the day, which I can't wait to try at

Irish Corned Beef, Potato and Cabbage Pie Plus a #Whole Foods #Giveaway

This week found me unexpectedly in Phoenix taking care of my mother who just had back surgery. She hopefully is now cured of her sciatica pain and soon should be able to do a jig! After all, it's almost time to dance a jig, for St. Patties Day that is. Spring will hopefully, soon be upon us and a sighting of green will surely be a sight to behold, at least in many parts of the country. Though

Buttery Garlic Parmesan Potato Chips (Eat At Your Own Discretion!)

Consider this fair warning. These potato chips are addicting. They are deadly. They are damn good. Perfect for dip season. Or not. Perfect for hiding in the pantry with. Perfect for midnight gorging. Or closet eating. Don't say I didn't warn you. These are damn good chips.

I love potato chips. They are my vice and I shouldn't keep them in the house. And really I haven't bought them

Mussels and Fries or The Princess and the Prince

 You probably saw this coming, right? The truth is that I made these months ago and never got around to posting them. I still haven't had my fries BUT we did hear from HR, formerly known as the officedom of WussMan. WussMan quickly became a hero after recovering from the flu, and now is ready to eat some fries. Just kidding. But he did send the offer. Finally! And it is good and soon my

Chicken Sofrito or Fry Me Lightly

 Baby, it's been cold outside. Today we are finally going to reach a high of 20 degrees. It will feel like summer, after what we've been through. Mind you, it's not like living in the Midwest. We at least have sunshine, which manages to give me a false hope that it is warm outside. That is until I poke my nose out the door and discover that it still hasn't warmed up.

You see my desk is on

Tortilla Espanola and Come Home to Mama

The leaves have fallen, the weather is getting chilly and November is here. It seems I count the days the kids have been gone and then like magic, before you know it, I'm on the countdown until they come home. I am so ready. Time flies when they are here, so like a good mother, I must be prepared. The house must be clean before the suitcases are dropped upon it. The coat hooks must be emptied

Cajun Potatoes and the Emmy's

  In my heart, I am a simple girl, though I am sure to others, I might appear complicated.Whatever. It's Monday and I'm not into quibbling, so let's not. Last night I watched the Emmy's. Now, keep in mind, I really hardly watch TV except when the Olympics are on, or a really good movie. I can get into some of the HBO series and the AKC kennel club dog show in Februrary and some of the

Potato Kugel (Ilse's One and Only, Not for Passover, No Eggs, To Die For Potato Kugel)

The above is a very long title because it is hard to put into words the truth about this potato kugel.  Honestly, I wish I knew the truth. Kugels, usually made from potatoes or noodles, are often served as a side dish on Shabbat. The word for kugel in German means sphere, globe or ball. Ilse's kugel is made in a round shape though most kugels now, whether noodle or potato are usually

Real Potato Salad for Real Dads

Real Potato Salad




Potatoes love me and the feeling is mutual. I can eat potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner and of course, in between. My favorite junk food is potato chips or fries, but I haven't had many of those lately. I've often felt that if I had to, I could live on potatoes, just potatoes, but I hope it doesn't come to that. 

It is hard to mess up the potato, though I suppose

Chicken Vesuvio, A Wedding, and a Great Shabbat Dinner

Chicken Vesuvio




 It only took me 33 years
to discover Chicken Vesuvio. Pretty pathetic, I know. After all I grew up off
of I57, spent numerous years trailing my parents to various restaurants in Chicago and yet had never
had Chicken Vesuvio. I think they were holding out on me. It took going back
for a wedding 21 years ago to bring it to my attention. And it has held it ever
since.

Breakfast Burritos

Egg and Potato Breakfast Burrito




Thanksgiving is over which means the turkey is close to being gone. We’ve had turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce, turkey enchiladas, turkey and tamale stuffing with red chile sauce and fried eggs and I think we still have turkey soup and turkey salad to go. Not bad for the poor maligned turkey who I am very thankful for. I never understand people who

Latke One or Latke Two?

Latke One








Latke Two




Latkes
are a once a year endeavor. This year it happened twice. But the truth is that
if you follow a few rules making latkes is not such a gigantic effort. Or even
a giant oily mess. Unless of course you are making them for an enormous crowd
in which case you will never have enough. So we won’t go there.



This year
I made the normal latke that everyone makes.

Hashbrown Spud Cups and Hanukah

"MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL, AND YET IT IS SUCH A
USEFUL ROOT THAT WE CANNOT GET ON WITHOUT IT ANY MORE THAN WE CAN WITHOUT
POTATOES." by Louisa May Alcott, novelist (1832-1888)



“Look at that moon. Potato weather for sure.”  
Thornton
Wilder, “Our Town”



One thing you need to know about me…I
love potatoes. I never worry about having enough food in the house as long as I
have a bag

Corn and Beer

Elote Corn, Bacon and Potato Hash


My son came home for a few days. He hasn’t been gone that long but I will always welcome him home. It was nice to hear another voice in the house. Even the dogs were happy to see him. He had a few things to do while he was home and one of them involved bottling beer. He started it in June and it was ready. At least ready to be removed from the floor of my

Patatas Bravas and Why I Hate Tapas

Patatas Bravas




I want to go on record. I will be blunt. Do not take this the wrong way, but I hate tapas. Just so you understand, it is not that I hate the actual tapa, it is just that I hate tapas restaurants. Do you want me to tell you why? If you don’t, stop reading NOW. While traveling between graduations we ate at several well regarded restaurants. I did not realize they were tapas

Tuscan Beans and Potatoes Plus a Few Good Books

                                                                My Sweet Hyacinths
"The day is coming when a single carrot freshly observed will set off a revolution.” Paul Cezanne
 and the beginning of the novel “White Truffles in Winter”.
I am working in a room filled with the scent of lavender hyacinths. They scent my entire house and they smell like spring. It is a sweet smell that makes me