Cookbooks › Bitter by Jennifer McLagan

Espresso Chocolate Truffles

November 24, 2019

Elizabeth David, writing her magisterially grumpy Elizabeth David’s Christmas, tackles edible gifting with her usual verve, writing: Those bottles of indeterminate sherry and port, Christmas puddings and tins of tea and fancy biscuits are survivals from the days when such things were distributed by Ladies Bountiful to old retainers, retired nannies…

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About Bitter Melon

January 25, 2019

To this day, the post for bitter melon curry remains one of my most popular. Every time I post a picture of bitter melon on Instagram, people ask about it. So I thought I’d discuss it a bit more here. Bitter melon is a member of the gourd family. Jennifer…

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Bitter Melon Curry

August 27, 2017

Note: The full impact of Hurricane Harvey was reaching the news after I posted. To help those affected in Texas, from the New York Times: Donations to the Red Cross for those affected by Harvey can be made online, or text HARVEY to 90999. Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online. Catholic Charities is accepting donations online,…

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Wait a minute…didn’t we already discuss wonton ravioli? Well, yes, we did, back in February. But that was a different ravioli. And midway through Sunday’s filling and folding marathon, I happened on a new and, to my thinking, improved fill n’ fold method that saves time, energy, and wontonnage. Doubling…

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Wonton Ravioli

February 23, 2016

    So I’m  on Pinterest. Sort of. I  mean, I have a few boards. I’m figuring it out. Heidi Swanson, she has, like 75 boards, and like her, they’re all intimidatingly beautiful. In fact, much of Pinterest is dauntingly perfect looking. From glossy interiors to chic outfits, to hear Pinterest…

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Potato Cardoon Gratin

January 7, 2016

    Cardoons, which are seasonal for the next ten seconds, have long fascinated me.With their truly brief window–a few winter weeks in Northern California–cardoons remain that rare thing, a truly seasonal vegetable. This rarity means I’ve had little experience with them, and until now, that experience has been of…

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Yesterday I had a doctor appointment; I’ve been trying to get follow-up care for the tennis elbow. I arrived at the office only to find my doctor had cancelled her appointments for the day. Had her patients been informed? Of course not. Clearly, the very notion of continuing medical care falls into the…

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