From the monthly archives:

April 2009

The Biscuit Machine

April 22, 2009

Repetition and experimentation.  You can follow one great recipe after another and  consistently turn out great food.  But when you make the same things again and again and you pay close attention, something else starts to happen.  Subtle variations perceived throughout the process lead to subtle variations in the end product.  When you make a [...]

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Ham Three Ways

April 20, 2009

The receiver lifted and a calm collected and decidedly country voice answered the phone. I was much dismayed about the lack of response to my panicked emails. “Where is my Sunday ham Mr. Benton?” My precious beauty ordered only after hours of careful research and deliberation, was supposed to arrive on a Thursday [...]

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Benton’s Smokey Ham

April 16, 2009

It’s sort of a shame I can’t share things with you as they are happening.  Instead I have to upload compile and edit my experiences, sometimes days after they’ve occurred.  I’m dreaming of an on-site photographer and a copy edit team so I can crank out multiple posts a day about the happenings in my [...]

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More Ramps

April 14, 2009

The last of my ramps have faded, and now I’m looking for a source for more. A recent comment alluded to bags for a buck in West Virginia. Though there was no indication of size, I’d wager they trump the small bunches available at markets around the District. Maybe this Saturday I’ll [...]

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Chix Dinner for 4

April 10, 2009

Oven Roasted Olives
with thyme and preserved lemon
Pan Roast Chicken
with pan reduction and carrot puree
Roast Potatoes
with garlic and rosemary

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Prices On a Rampage

April 7, 2009

Ramps are big business this year, and demand is really pushing up prices.  The Dupont markets asked $4.50 for a bunch of four or five;  They were sold out before 10am.  NYC’s Greenmarket commanded $15 a pound, and they were selling.  Brabo’s Butcher block in Alexandria wants $20 a pound, and only had a few [...]

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Sunday Supper for 5

April 5, 2009

Old School Yankee Pot Roast
Braising liquid Glacé Carrots and Turnips
Oven Roast Yukon Golds
with Rosemary and Black Pepper
Green Bean Casserole
with Mushrooms and Onions
Apple pie

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Weighing in on Matters of Measure

April 1, 2009

I was disappointed when I opened up the April 09 issue of Bon Appetit.  Many of the recipes in the cake section looked worth an hour or two in my kitchen — until I encountered this note at the front of the spread…

How to Measure Flour
Our test kitchen’s preferred method for measuring flour.

By [...]

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