You say potato…
March 10, 2012
I say I can’t wait for summer. I need a fix now! Gather up a few redskins, some spring onions, a couple of hard boiled eggs, celery and radishes. You are all set my friend…while the potaoes are boiling you can prep your vegetables and mix up that dressing. Toss it all together and you’ve got potato salad…winter for me is now officially over, no matter what the calendar says. SIMPLE. I love this alone for lunch…but hey, did someone say ribs???
Hey Bud…where’ve you been?
March 9, 2012
Daffodils…even after a mild winter, there is nothing quite like the arrival of daffoldils with their promise of rebirth and new beginnings. Can there be a more perfect yellow? The birth flower for March, they dot the near black and white late winter landscape with their electricity. Share a bunch with a friend to ensure happiness and good fortune. A hot cross bun or two couldn’t hurt either…it is Lent after all.
Eat your broccoli.
February 21, 2012
I love coleslaw. My favorite being the one they serve at Gladstones in the Pacific Palisades on the ocean.In the middle of winter here in the cold midwest I’ve come up with a slaw that is not confused with a summer picnic cabbage based coleslaw yet still satisfies my coleslaw cravings. And, it’s simple, simple , simple…not even a recipe really…just a guideline. Take a bag of Brocco Slaw ( or rainbow/confetti slaw mix) that’s a blend of shredded broccoli stems, cauliflower hearts,red cabbage and/or carrots and add about 1/4 cup of chopped red onion. Mix up a quick slaw dressing of 1/2 cup of Hellmans, a good splash of cider vinegar, a teaspoon of Sugar in the Raw , a pinch of kosher salt and a grind or two of pepper. Pour over the vegetable mixture to lightly coat. Top with 1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola. That’s it. An easy winter slaw with a surprise ingredient that won’t loose it’s crunch.
V Day Dinner…
February 9, 2012
…as easy as 1 2 3. Never again will you be able to pull off with such little effort such an impressive result. For starts, something Brut and sparkling…everyone has their favorite and it’s probably already chilled. Next, a simple appetizer: assorted olives marinated with herbs, garlic and lemon peel. Now dinner. Who doesn’t L O V E a bowl of pasta? So simple and you probably have all of these ingredients in the pantry as well. This classic dish ( I always use Perciatelli) with butter, pepper and cheese is my new go-to ,http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/05/cacio-e-pepe. I top this with a palmfull of dry toasted breadcrumbs … an amazing textural contrast… really,don’t skip this addition. Finish things off with more sparkling wine, a little lemon sorbet splashed with Limoncello and candied lemon peel with dark chocolate. What else is there to say? Done and done. Happy Valentines Day.
Ruff Ruff
January 30, 2012
Roughly, that translates to ” Gimme a cookie!” How can I resist spoiling this guy?
I’ve worked up this simple recipe for Buddy Biscuits that he ( and all of his canine cousins and friends) absolutely L O V E S!!! Give ’em a try, couldn’t be easier and your house will smell sooooooo good everyone will think you’re holding out on some artisan loaves.
I can’t hold out…
January 16, 2012
any longer. I was gifted this holiday with a HUGE basket of homemade preserves, salsas and sauces, each one looking like a jewel as the sun shot through each jar. These are not your grandma’s canned goods…no way. Modern combinations like Blueberry Lime Jam, Raspberry Mango Jam …and my personal favorite…Ginger Pear Marmalade, will have you running for a spoon.
With goat cheese on an artisan bread, spread over pancakes or eaten directly from the jar…all are winners. I’m a lucky lucky boy. Thanks L.
The recipes were extracted from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving…it can’t get more simple and classic than that. 
Making makes us human.
January 10, 2012
I love this thought. Thank you Darlene Hayes. The complete essay can be read at knitcook.com
Banana Fana Wha ?
January 4, 2012
OK…I did NO baking over the holidays so there was no excuse not to whip something simple up from a surplus of ripe bananas. Luckily I found this recipe card from Starbucks to help. Easy enough to accomplish with hand utensils ( my favorite being this olive wood paddle/spoon/? from Williams-Sonoma)…no power needed in prep. And 45-60 minutes later your have this beauty! Simple enough. Quiet enough.
A quick note: I in no way had the two tablespoons of buttermilk…but, half and half with a splash of cider vinegar stood in nicely. Again, simple.
simplequietmodern 