The Barilla Pasta “we don’t think gay families represent our values” dust-up last fall reminded me of a Barilla-sponsored luncheon I attended in '07 or '08. Pasta was on the plate and family mealtime was the topic at table. Although it's taken a while to dig into my files (i.e. piles of papers and random flash drives) I supposed that there must have been a … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2014
SAMPHIRE ASPARAGUS VINAIGRETTE
One of the thrills of foraging is tapping into Mother Nature's limitless abundance. While some treasures of the earth are hard to come by (see: truffles) wild samphire is abundant here on eastern Long Island and at its peak now, in early summer. Samphire, a.k.a seabeans, sea asparagus, salicornia, or picklewort, thrives in the marshy, sandy shores of Three Mile Harbor in … [Read more...]
PEA SHOOT PESTO
Turns out early summer isn't such a bad time to join Weight Watchers. Facing the somewhat grim regimen of Points, Power Foods and vanishing carbs is easier when fresh produce (for the unlimited fruits and vegetables the program allows) comes into abundance. These pea shoots were on offer at an East Hampton farm stand. The guy said they would make a nice pesto. True … [Read more...]
PERSIAN BLUE SALT
Another reason to love San Francisco: Spice Ace in Pacific Heights. Where this exotic Persian Blue Salt was acquired for our salt library. It's rock salt with a light mineral taste. Proprietor Olivia Dillan oversees an encyclopedic collection of spices and is eager to have you sniff and taste to your hearts content. I hear tunes and songs on television shows also that … [Read more...]