Archive for the ‘Tips’ Category

Hold the mustard. Hold the ketchup. Add the ice cream.

Friday, June 13th, 2008

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Fire up the barbecue! It’s time to grill… pound cake?

When I was growing up in Hingham, Massachusetts back in the ’60s, I lived just a long stone’s throw from the Hingham Yacht Club. Unlike many of the kids in town, I hadn’t spent my whole life on the water. And while I could distinguish a sailboat (triangular white sail, quiet) from a powerboat (motor on the back, noisy), I wasn’t really up on the nuances of sailing. (more…)

(Garlic) KNOT for the faint of heart…

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

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I was sitting and staring at my computer screen yesterday, zoned out, and all of a sudden two words appeared in my head clear as day: garlic knots.

“Garlic knots!” I actually spoke the magic words aloud.

“Garlic knots? What’s that?” asked Halley. (more…)

Cinnamon rolls: We don’t make ’em like they used to… thankfully.

Friday, June 6th, 2008

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I grew up on cinnamon rolls. You know, the ones that pop out of the tube, your mom puts them in the oven, and you get to pry open the can of soft frosting and spread it on when they’re done. I LOVED those rolls; they were a top o’ the heap treat. And we only had them like twice a month; they alternated with cinnamon streusel coffeecake as the Sunday-morning-after-church reward. (more…)

Super Bowl Sundae

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

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From dictionary.com:
ice cream—noun. A frozen food containing cream or milk and butterfat, sugar, flavoring, and sometimes eggs.

From pj.com:
ice cream—SO much more than a noun. Cold comfort when you’re down; a smile-generator. Summer in a cone. (more…)

High-fiber white bread? NOT an oxymoron.

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

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I love toast for breakfast. Crisp, crunchy, buttery hot toast. Perfect with a glass of cold Ovaltine; yin to creamy oatmeal’s yang. I love the way just the very top millimeter of toast crust softens up under its coat of melting butter. I like toast’s toasty aroma. I just plain like TOAST. (more…)

32 dozen cookies: a whole lotta bakin’ goin’ on.

Monday, May 26th, 2008

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Imagine the William Tell Overture (a.k.a. the Lone Ranger theme song), pounding in your head. Hear the drumming hoofbeats (if you were a fan of the Ranger, Tonto, and Silver), or the lively violins (for you classical music buffs). OK, got that? Ready… Set… Go bake 32 dozen cookies—in 2 hours! (more…)

McMake ’em yourself: breakfast sandwiches.

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

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You know those TV ads for McDonald’s or Wendy’s or (name your favorite national chain) that show these gorgeous—I mean, FLAWLESS—fast-food hamburgers? A perfectly browned, sizzling beef patty; crisp lettuce; a thick slice of tomato; melting cheese, and a golden, light-as-air bun are gently sandwiched together, and look to be a majestic 4” tall. (more…)

A brownie by any other name…

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

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Love brownies. Love their shiny, flaky top that shatters into micro-thin shards that shower onto your fingers as you eat. Love their dark, gooey center. Their “chocolate nirvana” flavor. (more…)

Breaking news from the White House (Cook Book)…

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

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Attention: If you’re not absolutely enthralled with old cookbooks and ancient recipes, stop reading right now and cut to the chase: our recipe for Washington Pie, a takeoff on Boston Cream Pie. (more…)

Baltimore’s Finest: The Sequel.

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

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So, one blog and some 3 dozen comments later, Baltimore’s finest cookie—the Berger Cookie—has resurfaced in a new incarnation. Like the REAL Berger cookie (can you pick it out in the photo above?), our new version is smaller, and spread with frosting that’s closer to the original and heaped even higher. This is my final take on these cookies—I promise! (more…)