Secatuers
June 13, 2016
You don’t realize how much you need them until you do. Then, you wish you had these. Smart Scissors designed in 2009 by Japanese architect Hagino Mitsunobu. Chic anvil shears of stainess steel coated in matte flourocarbon polymer.
Top photo: https://food52.com/shop/products/1796-contemporary-japanese-shears
peony photo: gp
Brown Butter Bourbon Blondies
May 1, 2016
If April showers bring May flowers, a wet Spring weekend also provides just enough time indoors to knock out a batch of these…Brown Butter Bourbon Blondies.
I adjusted Phyllis Grant’s adaptation of Mark Bittman’s Butterscotch Brownies by adding a cup of coarsley chopped toasted walnuts and replacing 3 of the 4 teaspoons of vanilla with Bourbon. Now we’re talking…I should have made a double batch. You can find the original adaptaton here: http://food52.com/recipes/32350-brown-butter-blondies
It Couldn’t Hurt
January 31, 2016
If your hands have taken a beating digging out from last weeks storm or you’re already getting the garden prepped for Spring I’ve got the perfect little DIY project for you. This soothing hand salve of beeswax and olive oil, personalized with your choice of beneficial essential oils, will help put the heal on with just a few ingredients.
I put the simplequietmodern spin on this recipe found on Food 52. For three 2 oz. jars I started with 1 cup general use olive oil, 1 oz. organic yellow beeswax and 21 drops total of peppermint, eucalyptus and wintergreen essential oils (equal amounts of each). Melt the beeswax into the olive oil in a double boiler until combined. Stir in the essential oils. Dip a cold spoon into the mixture to test the consistency. Pour into small lidded jars. That’s it…done. And, you’ll have enough to give away.
My choice of essential oils not only smells great, but adds additional comfort to sore hands and joints if you work your hands hard like I do.
http://food52.com/blog/15239-the-diy-gift-that-dry-winter-hands-will-thank-you-for
photos: gp
Paper or…
November 15, 2015
You know I can work a classic Kraft paper shopping bag six ways till Sunday. But, this waxed canvas market bag takes simplequietmodern to a new level. Easy care cotton canvas hand coated with organic beeswax. Perfect for carrying all the quince, apples and persimmons you’ll be cooking up during the holidays and leaving the brown bags you’ve been recycling available for the wrapping of gifts come December.
Top photo:https://food52.com/shop/products/718-waxed-canvas-market-bag
others: gp
A Bushel or a Peck
August 23, 2015
Tomatoes, corn and summer stone fruit. Now that we’re well into August they’re ripe for the picking. Is there anything better on a hot summer day than a BLT for lunch or dinner? How about the simplicity of corn on the cob or maybe a new riff like a charred corn salad? Or, savor peaches and plums in a pie or crostata…maybe whip up something new like a plum caramel to serve over ice cream. The early gifts of summers harvest are waiting at a farm stand near you. Sounds like a little road trip to the country is in order.
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Bushels of heirloom tomatoes waiting to meet up with bacon and lettuce on a nice chunk of ciabatta.
Sweetcorn by the truck load. While corn on the cob is nice, this Charred Corn Salad with Lime, Chili and Tomato knocks it out of the park. Really, I can’t stop making this. Photo via Food52 http://food52.com/recipes/17913-charred-corn-and-avocado-salad-with-lime-chili-and-tomato
A handful of late Summer plums, a little sugar and a vanilla bean is all you need to whip up a batch of Plum Caramel…simple. http://food52.com/recipes/37359-creme-fraiche-plum-cake-with-plum-caramel
All photos ( with the exception of the charred corn salad ) by gp
Just Right
April 12, 2015
If Marcella Hazan’s smothered cabbage soup could sustain us through the Winter, then this adaptation of her peas and rice is sure to be a hit this Spring. Five ingredients, minimal prep and 25 minutes is all you need to serve up the perfect April lunch.
This simple recipe for Aristotelian Rice and Peas can be found here at Food 52 http://food52.com/recipes/25942-aristotelian-rice-and-peas-or-the-whole-is-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts
Soups On
October 20, 2014
Changes in weather…changes in schedule…additional Fall projects…all have me in need of a little break and a little grounding. I can’t think of anything better to get me back on track and slow me down than a big bowl of soup. And if it’s simple…even better. Marcella Hazan’s recipe for Venetian style Rice and Smothered Cabbage soup fits the bill perfectly with just a few simple ingredients. If you plan ahead, prepare enough cabbage to have as a side, then transform the rest into the soup
The recipe can be found here:http://food52.com/recipes/27213-marcella-hazan-s-rice-and-smothered-cabbage-soup photos: gp
Over? Not yet
August 31, 2014
The afternoon shadows may be longer and more pronounced, but summer my friends is not over yet. While Labor Day may mark the “unofficial” end of summer I’m taking full advantage until Fall steps in on September 24…and, that’s a month away. Whether your’re staying in town or getting away for the long weekend, I recommend you do the same.
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We should all be so lucky to have a summertime courtyard space like the Brody house in LA photo via:http://midcenturia.tumblr.com/
What more is there to say? Local farmstand produce…get some, support your local farmers. photo: gp
Large body or small, being near the water on a holiday weekend just makes it more special. From a tiny cabin view -photo gp- to a broader shoreline view -photo via http://remash.tumblr.com/, try to get yourself some.
If you haven’t yet made this salad with your local summer corn you are missing something special. http://food52.com/recipes/17913-charred-corn-and-avocado-salad-with-lime-chili-and-tomato
A simplequietmodern nap could be good. Photo via: http://www.improvisedlife.com/
While I always prefer white, an armload of locally grown color will brighten things up should the clouds roll in. And, what could compliment those peaches better than these dahlias and celosia? iPhone snap: gp
No need to choose,
July 1, 2014
because you’ll need them all. Rasperries, strawberries,blackberries and blueberries…what would a Summer Pudding be without them? Add a loaf of white bread and some sugar and you are on your way to an impressive ending to any summer meal. The hardest part to this seasonal classic is waiting for it to rest overnight, so plan accordingly.
I used this simple recipe from Merrill Stubbs at Food52. As recipes go it could not have been more simplequietmodern. http://food52.com/recipes/13392-berry-summer-pudding
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