table/food

A Fireworks Display from J.R.R. Tolkien

Thinking about the Fourth of July, we came across this magical description of fireworks from The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien…

Bucatini with Ramps, Olive Oil and Parmigiano Reggiano to Celebrate the Wildest Food of Spring

Being a truly wild food that seems to defy cultivation of any scale, ramps are truly delicious and root me in the season. I especially love them braised in olive oil with bucatini or spaghetti and Parmigiano Reggiano, THE pasta dish for spring.

Alice B. Toklas’ Asparagus in Salt & Pepper Whipped Cream “A Thing of Beauty”

In her famous cookbook, Alice B.Toklas called Madame Loubet’s Asparagus Tips “a gastronomic feast. And a thing of beauty.” They are. Here’s how to make them.

Cracked Coriander is the New Pepper

For years I’ve kept a small tin of toasted cracked coriander seeds in my spice drawer to use as an emergency flavor enhancer. Its slightly lemony-orangy-herbal flavor and pleasing crackle provides the perfect little alt-note on all sorts of unexpected foods.

Mallomar, the Seasonal, Interactive, Pop Culture Cookie

Available only in winter months when it’s real chocolate coating won’t melt, Mallomars are a deeply satisfying seasonal cookie that inspires very personal improvisation…(and has MANY cultural references to boot).

Miracle of Transformation: An Easy Way to LactoFerment Foods at Home

Having tried and failed with my own lacto-fermentation rig, I found a tool and two books that made for satisfying success in my fermentation experiments.

How to Read a Heart (Anne Herbert)

We’d never thought what a Valentine heart could mean beyond a general feeling and expression of romantic love until we read these words by the great Anne Herbert…

Ecumenical Money Valentine to Give to Lovers AND Friends

We’re thinking a dandy little heart made of folded money would make a nice valentine for just about anyone…more inclusive than the usual romantic stuff like flowers and chocolate…

Favorite Gifts I Love To Give

Late with my holiday preparations, I’m just wrapping my head around making food gifts as well as the few gifts I buy. Here’s are favorites that you still have time to order.

Experience Heightened Well-Being via the Primal Scent of Christmas Trees

Biologist David George Haskell’s explanation of what the primal scent from Christmas trees actually does to us will amplify your experience of this lovely free gift of the holidays.

Cool, Graphical Masking Tape Decorations for Walls, Cards, Wrapping

“I haven’t done a thing to get ready for the holidays” is an echo I’ve heared from many people I know. No matter. There’s always ways to festive things up at the last minute, with whatever is on hand.

Secrets of a Divine Egg Salad Sandwich from Harlem’s Premiere Caterer

Although I cooked professionally for decades, I somehow never got how great an egg salad sandwich could be I tasted Amuse Bouche’s AND learned their secrets…

Favorite Things: Really Big Cotton Dish Towels

We’ve used these these HUGE dish towels for many things in addition to drying dishes…

An Astonishing Poem of Instructions for Eating Persimmons and of Course, Way More

‘Persimmons’ tells a number of tiny stories, and lovely, very precise instruction about chosing and eating persimmons, which are in season now. It is one of the most remarkable poems I’ve read.

Breathe In Blessings (Anne Herbert)

Floating in the internet on an ancient, dormant site called yowow, we found the perfect blessing by the late Anne Herbert…

Thanksgiving Resources for Table and Heart

Over the years, we’ve published a trove of useful info for navigating Thanksgiving, from recipes and tabletop to less tangible concerns. Here’s how to access it.

the thrills and miracles of ‘mystery’ wine dinner parties

It’s exciting to open mystery wines that promised to be great once but have languished so long, it’s impossible to know if there’s something delicious inside. When one proves to be lovely, it’s like a little miracles has arrived.

yayoi kusama does halloween: ‘the spirit of the pumpkins descend into the heavens’

For Halloween, we’re loving pumpkins transformed by Yayoi Kusama’s unique vision. She made them wondrous in ways no one had ever imagined and changed the way we see them forever.

Foolproof Slow-Roasted Salmon: a Food 52 Genius Recipe + 5-Ingredient and Under Wonder

My go-to strategy for salmon, to make or to teach, is to slow-roast it accompanied by a simple sauce that I can make ahead. I’m thriled that Food52 considers it Genius…

Ode to Tomatoes, for the Last Days of Summer (Neruda with Recipes)

Every September, aware that the last moments of perfect summer tomatoes are imminent, I prepare them these simple ways in of advance winter, and remember Neruda’s lovely ode.

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