I've spent a good deal of time in the past six months in New Jersey at my mother’s house. Each time I return, I marvel that eight people: two adults, three boys and three girls, shared this small space. A space that now seems crowded with just my mom and her caretaker living in it. So much of my mother’s house, the house I grew up in, has remained the same. The plate rack that … [Read more...]
Florentine Cookies
Way back in the day I had a bakery in Stowe, Vermont called Baker's Dozen. I was a very good baker and lousy business woman. I opened the bakery in 1979. I made croissants, danish and two types of bread every day. The other pastries were baked in rotation. One all time favorite were florentine cookies. Florentine cookies are a lacy, crisp wafer that's dipped in … [Read more...]
Beef Barley Soup
It's finally winter, or at least what passes for winter in Los Angeles--cool and cloudy with the hope of rain. And since it is a bit cooler I was inspired to make my mom's beef barley soup. Beef barley is my favorite soup of all times. In fact, my mom's beef barley soup would be my last meal if I had to choose. Memories are my companion when I make this soup... Me as a … [Read more...]
Ciabatta Made with Sonora Wheat
I have not stopped using my Mockmill grinder since it arrived in the mail. My first project using freshly ground Sonora wheat berries was a delectable version of the New York Times plum torte. My second project didn’t turn out as well as the torte. Here I was in possession of two incredible gifts: the Mockmill grinder and sour dough starter from Karen of Karen’s Kitchen … [Read more...]
Mockmill Grain Mill
Disclosure: I received the Mockmill for free so that I could use it and let you know my thoughts. As always my thoughts are not for sale for any price. I've wanted to make the move to fresh milled wheat for a very long time. My head spins when I think of how processed our flour is. The only thing I was lacking was a wheat mill. My prayers were answered when I received the … [Read more...]
