Recent Posts

Forget Starbucks, Make Better Espresso at Home

September 24, 2013April 21, 2025 espresso

Let me start this post with a declaration. I do not hate Starbucks. Many people do, and internet sites abound that criticize, insult and mock the company that got me drinking coffee in the first place. I am not here to tell you to feel guilty about drinking Starbucks, or... Read More

✷ Recipe Soups and Stews

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

September 13, 2013September 1, 2016 Asian, beef, noodles, soup

I fell in love with this soup while cooking with my friend Weldon. We were practicing hand-pulled noodles and this soup was the dish they went into. It is rich, unctuous, full of umami, and a perfect vehicle for many kinds of noodles. Whether you are interested in making your... Read More

Chardonnay France Tasting Wine

2010 Louis Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles En Paradis

September 8, 2013September 9, 2016

If you've read some of my previous reviews of wine, you'll know I am no fan of New World, oaky, buttery, vanilla-candle-smelling Chardonnay. I am a very big fan though, of crisp, non-oaky, high acidity Chardonnay, like those gorgeously austere wines from Chablis. In fact, Chablis may be my... Read More

✷ Recipe Sweets

Chaussons aux Pommes (Apple Turnovers)

September 6, 2013October 20, 2016 apples, puff pastry, sweets

There is something so satisfying about a baked apple dessert. As a kid, I loved good old fashioned apple pie, either warm with ice cream, or cold and straight from the fridge. While I still love the combination of apples and baking spices, as I've gotten older I like my... Read More

✷ Mains Recipe

Red Beans and Rice

September 5, 2013September 1, 2016 beans, Mains, pork, rice

Recently, while out doing my grocery shopping, I came across gorgeous andouille sausage and had to have it. I bought a link (7 oz, so it was pretty ample) but by the time I got home, I wasn't sure what to make. Andouille screams Creole or Cajun food, neither of... Read More

France Grenache/Garnacha Tasting Wine

2009 Chateau de Nages Costieres-de-Nimes Cuvee Joseph Torres

September 4, 2013September 9, 2016

Despite what many people think, most wines produced in the world today do not need aging/cellaring to be enjoyed. In fact, most wines are ready to be drunk the minute they are sold. This is especially true of "New World" style wines, marked by an abundance of fruit. Age... Read More

✷ Recipe Sweets Treats

Marrons Glaces (Candied Chestnut) Inspired Macarons

September 1, 2013October 2, 2016 baking, chocolate, macarons, sweets

Making macarons today. I bought a jar of French chestnuts with the explicit idea of attempting Pierre Herme's Marrons Glaces Macarons, and after reading through his recipe (which includes chestnut puree, chestnut paste, cacao pate and actual marrons glaces crumbs) I decided to do a Pierre Herme inspired version, making... Read More

Sweets

The Cronut Chronicles – Part 2

August 31, 2013September 26, 2016 cronut

After three hardcore attempts at making cronuts at home, I can finally say I am in the home stretch. If you didn't read my first post (The Cronut Chronicles - Part 1) I had finally made a good looking cronut that, unfortunately, was raw inside, but I had a plan.... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot France Tasting Wine

2010 Chateau Fayat Pomerol

August 31, 2013September 9, 2016

Bordeaux is such a mixed bag when it comes to wine. At one end of the spectrum, some of the greatest, most expensive wines in the world are made here, but at the same time, there are loads of bottles, mediocre to terrible, that are marketed and sold, often... Read More

Pinot Noir Tasting USA Wine

2010 Francis Ford Coppola Pinot Noir Director’s Cut

August 28, 2013September 9, 2016

Wine Review: 2010 Francis Ford Coppola Pinot Noir Director's Cut In general, I don't drink a lot of California Pinot Noir. The crazy fruit bombs with tons of wood are not my ideal expression of the grape. There are a handful of makers out of CA that I am... Read More