The Search for Vacata Recipe Finally Found When I was a kid there were three things that were always consistent at Christmas time: an Advent calendar, my dad bringing home a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and making cookies. But these weren't just any cookies, the recipe for these cookies came all the way from Sicily and they were called vacata. … [Read more...]
Herb Roasted Turkey for Thanksgiving
I have been making this turkey since 1999. I was a relative newcomer to LA and still had a subscription to New York Magazine. The LA food scene was beginning its ascent, but I was of the belief that New York possessed the food edge, hence my reluctance to give up my life line to the city. The November 1, 1999 issue of New York is filled with wonderfully delicious recipes. In … [Read more...]
Parmesan Battered Fried Cauliflower: Thanksgiving Appetizer or Not
Fried cauliflower has been part of my Thanksgiving experience since I started paying attention to the meal. Before I started noticing food, Thanksgiving meant a big ante pasta plate with a weird veggie that tricked you into thinking it was celery but tasted like disgusting licorice, and gross olives. The only saving grace was the mashed rutabagas. … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving: Stuffed Mini Pumpkins
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Ask anyone. I LOVE it. This is a holiday in which there is no perfect present pressure, no religious overtones, just a celebration of the three f’s—Family, friends and food. It’s THE day to say a heartfelt “Thank You” to the people who make my life so wondrous and a nod to those who have passed yet left an indelible mark on my … [Read more...]
