http://www.barbaraoneal.com Author of THE LOST RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS & THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:58:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/02/lost-art-family-dinners/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/02/lost-art-family-dinners/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:56:28 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=364 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 [...]]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/02/lost-art-family-dinners/feed/ 2 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/shy-bow-sweet-petals/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/shy-bow-sweet-petals/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:55:55 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=336 In THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING, Tessa is an amateur photographer.  So am I, though in typical writerly fashion, she is far more gifted than I.  Still, I do love getting a good shot. One of my great desires has always been to have a greenhouse.  In a corner of my dining room is a small conservatory, [...]]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/shy-bow-sweet-petals/feed/ 5 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/soup-warm-cold-cold-bones/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/soup-warm-cold-cold-bones/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:25:59 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=328 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/soup-warm-cold-cold-bones/feed/ 2 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/pain-grenoblois-spent-afternoon/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/pain-grenoblois-spent-afternoon/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:23:23 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=324 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! ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2010/01/pain-grenoblois-spent-afternoon/feed/ 8 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/pancake-kisses-bacon-hugs/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/pancake-kisses-bacon-hugs/#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:21:44 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=315   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 [...]]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/pancake-kisses-bacon-hugs/feed/ 17 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/salt-earththe-seathe-mountains/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/salt-earththe-seathe-mountains/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:39:55 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=302   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 [...]]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/salt-earththe-seathe-mountains/feed/ 20 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/win-free-arc-secret/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/win-free-arc-secret/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:15:47 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=272 THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING will be out in 27 26 days! Reader feedback so far has been extraordinary (check out the comments at GoodReads.com), and I'm very excited for everyone to read Tessa's story. To celebrate, I'll offering a some little contests and giveaways over the next few weeks. This is the first one. I am giving away FOUR free ARCs of THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING. As soon as I draw names, I'll run to the post office and mail them out, so you will have it by next Friday. ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/12/win-free-arc-secret/feed/ 66 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/11/slow-cooked-chunky-spicy-apple-butter/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/11/slow-cooked-chunky-spicy-apple-butter/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:05:40 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=266 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. ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/11/slow-cooked-chunky-spicy-apple-butter/feed/ 5 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/11/elegant-joy-dogness/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/11/elegant-joy-dogness/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:23:53 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=262 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...]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/11/elegant-joy-dogness/feed/ 5 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/10/day-dead-bread-chocolate/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/10/day-dead-bread-chocolate/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:05:41 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=256 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. ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/10/day-dead-bread-chocolate/feed/ 4 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/09/the-deconstruction-of-fish-chips-via-top-chef/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/09/the-deconstruction-of-fish-chips-via-top-chef/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:08:42 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=205 At CR’s urging, I decided to give the deconstruction of fish & chips a try.  (For background on the Top Chef deconstruction challenge, read about it here.) My challenge was to create a dish that would deconstruct fish & chips and end up tasting like the original.  Since the only ingredients in the traditional offering are white [...]]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/09/the-deconstruction-of-fish-chips-via-top-chef/feed/ 0 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/08/gifts-of-summer-peaches-green-beans-and-a-ghost/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/08/gifts-of-summer-peaches-green-beans-and-a-ghost/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:49:05 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=201 Barbara O'Neal is enjoying the bounty of farmer's markets, making jam, and lazing around before getting back to work ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/08/gifts-of-summer-peaches-green-beans-and-a-ghost/feed/ 5 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/07/philly-inquirers-foodie-beach-reads/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/07/philly-inquirers-foodie-beach-reads/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:56:43 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=198 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/07/philly-inquirers-foodie-beach-reads/feed/ 0 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/06/grilled-lemon-slices/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/06/grilled-lemon-slices/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:02:43 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=195 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/06/grilled-lemon-slices/feed/ 1 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/05/the-heady-alchemy-of-baking-bread/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/05/the-heady-alchemy-of-baking-bread/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 16:57:46 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=184 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/05/the-heady-alchemy-of-baking-bread/feed/ 0 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/guest-blogging-at-writer-unboxed/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/guest-blogging-at-writer-unboxed/#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:36:14 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=183 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/guest-blogging-at-writer-unboxed/feed/ 0 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/do-you-have-a-great-breakfast-recipe/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/do-you-have-a-great-breakfast-recipe/#comments Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:07:52 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=180 My new book will be out in January, and I'd love to include some reader recipes. Post one to the comments or email me with one to have a chance. ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/do-you-have-a-great-breakfast-recipe/feed/ 4 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/six-printings/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/six-printings/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:59:32 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=179 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/04/six-printings/feed/ 1 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/blogging-on-food-televison-at-rtb-today/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/blogging-on-food-televison-at-rtb-today/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:39:01 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=178 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/blogging-on-food-televison-at-rtb-today/feed/ 1 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/the-full-catastrophe/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/the-full-catastrophe/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:14:55 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=175 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/the-full-catastrophe/feed/ 2 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/how-to-roast-chiles/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/how-to-roast-chiles/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:58:25 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=172 Readers of The Lost Recipe for Happiness who live outside the southwestern US might not know how to roast chiles. A simple recipe to roast a small batch, along with a link to a good recipe for green chile stew. ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/03/how-to-roast-chiles/feed/ 1 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/spontaneous-afternoon-tea/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/spontaneous-afternoon-tea/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:17:50 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=169 I needed to bake something today (to make up for my distastrous muffins last week) and decided upon scones. Apricot scones. They were so pretty we stopped everything, made a pot of tea (with PG Tips, sent quarterly from England by CR’s mother), cream and jam. Pretty, no? Have you baked something beautiful recently? ]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/spontaneous-afternoon-tea/feed/ 2 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/new-giveaway-what-would-your-last-supper-be/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/new-giveaway-what-would-your-last-supper-be/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:55:12 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=161  Week before last, TOP CHEF had a challenge that involved cooking the “last supper” of a group of individual famous chefs.  Fascinating idea.  Someone then asked me on Twitter what my last supper would be and I popped off with “a southern breakfast.”   It’s not an easy challenge.  I’m still running through the possibilities.  I don’t think [...]]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/new-giveaway-what-would-your-last-supper-be/feed/ 14 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/slow-cooked-apple-butter/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/slow-cooked-apple-butter/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:38:24 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=156 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/slow-cooked-apple-butter/feed/ 3 http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/lost-recipe-is-book-of-the-month-on-w-network-in-australia/ http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/lost-recipe-is-book-of-the-month-on-w-network-in-australia/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:45:25 +0000 Barbara O'Neal http://www.barbaraoneal.com/?p=152 The Lost Recipe for Happiness is the book of the month on W Network television in Australia. Join the discussion!]]> http://www.barbaraoneal.com/2009/02/lost-recipe-is-book-of-the-month-on-w-network-in-australia/feed/ 0