dip, sauce & syrup

because it really IS all about the sauce.

Nuovo Olio in Tuscany (new oil, old oil and oil tasting)

11/12/2009 | 10 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, places to go, reviews

Sigh. I have been smiling since yesterday; we went to a frantoio. A frantoio is a an olive-oil pressing facility/palazzo. It is the olive oil version of a winery. October and November represent the time frame where olives are shaken or combed off trees—into nets—and gathered for pressing. It is when nuovo olio (new oil) shows up at outdoor markets (last week we rounded 4-5 tables in our nearby… [more]

you quesadillas will never be the same: green chili chutney.

05/16/2009 | 3 Comments | Topics: culinary school, dip, sauce & syrup

The truth is, I often make quesadillas. They are a knee jerk response to ‘what’s for lunch’? In their simplest form, I just make them with cheese and refried beans… and maybe a smear of salsa if I add in a few extra seconds for prep. I am a big fan of crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, so my humble little lunchtime quesadillas often spend 2-3… [more]

Seared Soy Orange Salmon, with…

04/07/2009 | 2 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, entree

…Lemongrass Buerre Blanc and Soy Balsamic Glaze. I don’t care how complicated it sounds: you won’t complain once you have tasted it. My husband said it was the best salmon he has ever tasted in his LIFE. And he eats salmon—regularly—in fabulous restaurants. Need a second opinion? My son, who had tried salmon in the past and maintained no affection for this pink-fleshed fish, was coerced by his mother… [more]

They eat MAYONNAISE with their fries.

12/02/2008 | 12 Comments | Topics: culinary school, dip, sauce & syrup, places to go

I adore how each country has its own condiment for fries. In the states we are ketchup central (though I am a bit jealous that our neighbors to the north, aka Canada, have ketchup without corn syrup. Did you know that? Due to laws that protect consumers their Coca-cola, Heinz ketchup, etc. are made without corn syrup. But those same items in the states come with the nasty stuff). Note… [more]

Borrow these Thanksgiving Recipes:

11/24/2008 | 3 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, edible gifts

It is here! The week of Thanksgiving, where you stock your fridge and pantry and start making food. I just made this Brandied Cranberry Sauce, brimming with notes of orange (recipe follows). It keeps for days in the fridge. If you haven’t figured out your whole menu, or are looking for last minute inspiration or simply some table-top adjustments, perhaps browsing my list of recipes will prove useful (click on… [more]

some baked-in science, and a little mustard magic.

04/25/2008 | 7 Comments | Topics: culinary school, dip, sauce & syrup, food spotlight, food., salad

Baked goods are best fresh, right out of the oven and the same day they are made. Why is that anyway? Because after they come out of the oven, they continue to lose moisture. And moreover, when you see the day-old pastries for sale at your corner coffee shop, they are usually individually wrapped in saran wrap. Do you know why? Because it helps keep that same moisture in just… [more]

tomato feta olive sauce

01/25/2008 | 7 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, food., recipes

It is one of those sauces that well, can find a home on many plates, aside many dishes or is perfectly happy just being smeared on that last bit of bread. That was how it went for me: my first experience with this tomato-based concoction. It was Christmas Eve, and we went out to dinner—a family tradition, who has time to cook when there are presents to wrap?—and this… [more]

a trio of DIPS for your holiday vegetable platter

12/29/2007 | 4 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, food., holidays, recipes, starters

Why don’t you just bring an appetizer? Maybe a dip and some veggies? Sure, you think, wondering why you were left with the boring alternative. I can bring the 1950′s veggie platter. But it is true, people crave the green crunchy alternative to the creamy, oily, cheesy, bread-crusted delights we hide under the diminutive term ‘appetizers.’ I spent a whole weekend eating holiday meals; and thanks to the innovative, seductive,… [more]

peppery shrimp with cilantro coconut sauce

10/08/2007 | 9 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, entree, food.

Well, I have been an observer rather than a partaker in Weekend Herb Blogging, the food blogging event and brainchild of Kalyn over at Kalyn’s Kitchen. I figured the best way for me to jump in with TWO feet, was to start joining the fun at the Weekend Herb Blogging TWO Year Anniversary of this event. The aim of this big party is to submit a dish… [more]

you know you have a problem when…

05/15/2007 | 15 Comments | Topics: dip, sauce & syrup, food.

So we are touching up the paint in our home—fixing the dings, cracks and smears from fast and full living—and I needed to take inventory on what paint I had on hand, and what paint I needed to buy. And guess what I found? I found I have a problem. My paint colors are not normal. Either they hired a foodie to name paint, or I am like a… [more]