Author: Ruth

Greek Lemon and Rice Soup

Greek Lemon and Rice Soup

  These are some photos of my journey home, wandering through old haunts and childhood byways.  VW Beetles are far too adorable to just drive by so I had to stop.  Later that day this sunset brightened my road as I drove northward. . . 

Strawberry Salsa and Spinach Salad

Strawberry Salsa and Spinach Salad

  “What do you eat when your mother is dying?” That was a question my sister asked me, partly in jest because I am always looking for things to write about and partly because we were wondering what foods will help our bodies that are 

Romesco Roasted Pepper Dip

Romesco Roasted Pepper Dip

  Zowee!  That’s what I have to say about this dip. I’m not sure why I should write more at this point, what more do you need to know other than “Zowee”?   Graduation parties, Memorial Day parties and weddings—tis the season of standing around 

Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles

  I often am stumped about what to eat for breakfast.  Though it is easy and I have it sometimes, cereal is not my cup of tea…I crave that dose of protein and oil to get me through until lunch without a blood sugar crash. 

Chermoula

Chermoula

  Let us free ourselves from being too specific, and think in terms of techniques, categories, and tendencies. To use a phrase from food writer and teacher Greg Patent, I believe in “cooking empowerment“. When we learn the basics of ‘how things work’ we can 

Edible Flowers

Edible Flowers

  It almost seems too good to be true that you can eat these little works of art. People spend countless hours carving tiny garnishes and crafting flowers from frosting as they try to recreate perfection, when certain times of year give us the opportunity 

Split Pea Soup with Spearmint

Split Pea Soup with Spearmint

  For many years in my restaurant life I rarely made soups.  Life was about working “The Line”: prepping and pureeing and sautéing and grilling and assembling and plating and decorating.  But then I moved to a slower life.   It did not include ‘cuisine’ 

Fried Rice

Fried Rice

  I love Fried Rice because Fried Rice loves miscellaneous veggies. Cleaning out your refrigerator?  Perfect.  Leftover rice?  Perfect.   I used to make my Fried Rice with San-J Teriyaki Sauce, San-J Szechuan Sauce, and Tamari.  Then came the day when gluten was no longer 

Pickled Shiitakes and Chevre on Cucumbers

Pickled Shiitakes and Chevre on Cucumbers

  In my opinion, shiitakes are never boring. My father tells this story: long ago one of us youngsters was sitting on his lap, attempting to get his attention.  He was reading or talking or had other tasks at hand so he wasn’t giving his 

Favorites April 2012

Favorites April 2012

  I sometimes take full liberty in exploring things other than food at the beginning of the post, and this will be no exception.  This was a week of visiting and reminiscing with family. I have mixed feelings about this premature spring, but over the 

Polenta Napoleon with Fig Compote and Feta

Polenta Napoleon with Fig Compote and Feta

    Today there has been very little physical activity as I begin the process of recovering from the marathon flurry of scrambling to prepare for our Edible Alien Theatre show “In Profundus”.  It is incredible what can happen when there are deadlines, especially when 

Gluten Free Samosas with Pea, Potato and Green Mango

Gluten Free Samosas with Pea, Potato and Green Mango

    Too many times I have suggested to a client an interesting idea, and as it is leaving my mouth my brain is shouting, “Stop, you crazy woman! You don’t know how to do that!!” For example: My Mouth “‘Oh yes, we could serve 

Frittata with Spring Greens, Feta and Caramelized Onions

Frittata with Spring Greens, Feta and Caramelized Onions

  If you live in an area where winters are chilly and you have access to local produce, then you know that Spring = Eggs and Greens.      (In some circles Spring also means Maibock Beer, but that’s another story…) . So if Spring 

Harira

Harira

  “Fragrant” would be the word for this hearty North African soup. As we continue with the idea of mixing ‘sweet’ spices (like nutmeg) with savory dishes, Harira is a perfect example to try.  Cinnamon and ginger play important roles in this stew, providing a 

Nutmeg

Nutmeg

We now begin the trip home.  The American Birkebeiner ski marathon is over, the car is packed to the gills and we are pointed south heading towards brown grass and re-entry into the world. After leaving the home-base cabin we stopped in at the “00” trails near 

GF Chocolate Cake with Port, Craisins and Lime Zest

GF Chocolate Cake with Port, Craisins and Lime Zest

    First, the confessions: There is cheating involved with this cake recipe…but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.   The second confession is that there is a reason why this site is named “Awesome Cookery” and not “Awesome Bakery”.  

Elixirs, Snacks and More Cabin Notes

Elixirs, Snacks and More Cabin Notes

    Clutter |ˈklətər| noun—a collection of things lying about in an untidy mass. De-clutter—to remove the untidy mass.   When given a chance to rest, the brain runs a defragmenting program that de-clutters itself from the constant internal chatter, giving some deliciously blank space 

Remote Cabin Menu Plan

Remote Cabin Menu Plan

  We all seek bliss.  We spend much of our lives looking for activities that have given it in the past, or new ones that we hope will produce those lovely waves of endorphins.  Out here the magic combination of bliss-ingredients is Awesome Fatigue, a 

Favorites—and Why I Love Winter

Favorites—and Why I Love Winter

  I have learned that adults don’t like to do things that make them feel like an idiot.  Kids don’t care, and they learn so fast, but adults generally try to avoid looking like a baboon.  So why, as an adult, would I choose to 

White Bean Soup with Pesto

White Bean Soup with Pesto

    For a few months now I have now been hoarding my summer goodies that were processed and stored in the freezer.  Those tastes-of-sun treats—the green beans and strawberries and pesto—I keep thinking that I need to wait for that special moment to bring