When I was a child, we ate dinner together nearly every night. I did not necessarily love the whole ritual, especially when my mother made hamburger pie, covered with mashed potatoes, or when I was in trouble for one thing or another (which was a lot), but I can see from the angle that [...]

 I had a special request for this recipe, since the weather has been so cold in so many places.  This is from The Lost Recipe for Happiness, and it is Elena’s favorite soup:
Abuela Maria Elena’s Posole
2 cups dried posole (dried whole hominy)
2 – 3 lb boneless pork shoulder
1/2 cup mild fresh green chiles, roasted, peeled, [...]

Raisin Nut Bread, made from a pate Viennoise starter, a little rye flour, and the liquide levain I’ve been working and working with. I also soaked the raisins in orange juice and a little bit of vanilla.  Isn’t it beautiful? I know what I’ll be eating for breakfast tomorrow!

 
THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING is out today! To celebrate, a love song to breakfast.
PANCAKE KISSES, BACON HUGS
Why breakfast is the secret of everything
I suppose I should confess upfront that I am a morning person. I wake up cheery, chatty and at the very first fingers of sunlight creeping over the horizon. I know you find [...]

 
12 days until the release of THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING  (Tuesday, December 29), and to celebrate, here is another little giveaway. 
The Secret of Everything is centered in a little town that has, quite by accident, become a center of food culture.  One of the characters in the book is 8-year-old Natalie, who is very particular [...]

Technically, I suppose, apple butter is smooth. I originally made this recipe last winter and pureed it afterward. Since, however, my main use for this particular condiment is in my morning oatmeal, I have found I much prefer it to be left chunky. Recipe is adapted from one I found at The Art of Homemaking.

This what one of the things I love about dogs. She isn’t wailing about the impending end of her days on the planet. She’s fully engaged, living today, living with excitement. She doesn’t mourn the long walks she used to take when she was a younger healthier dog, she just charges out there to do what she can do now. She doesn’t get all stressed out about the diaper or her funny walk. On bad mornings, she waits patiently for one of us to carry her down the stairs, and we gladly do it, and when she gets down there, she engages in the task of the morning—first, anything fallen since last night? Second…

In The Lost Recipe for Happiness, by Barbara O’Neal, chef Elena Alvarez has good reasons to celebrate The Day of the Dead with great gusto. Here are two recipes, one for Mayan Hot Chocolate, and one for Pan de Muerto.

Barbara O’Neal is enjoying the bounty of farmer’s markets, making jam, and lazing around before getting back to work

I’m sure everyone in the world has thought of doing this but me–but you know how it is when you discover something stunningly simple and delicious: Hey-sanna, Ho-sanna, Sanna-sanna hey!* I’ve been grilling lemons with chicken breasts and it is amazingly delcious. And easy.
Chicken breasts with Grilled Lemons and Sauteed Spinach  
Serves 4
Olive Oil
4 boneless, skinless [...]