When I started my gluten-free adventure, I was mostly fearful of loosing two things–pasta and sourdough bread. I know I can make both on my own, I just haven’t had the time or courage to try yet. When I came across Brooklyn Supper’s Lamb Ragu over Polenta, I never thought it could fill that big pasta hole in my stomach, but the recipe looked so good, I had to at least try.
When the temperature drops, the first thing I crave is chili. The past couple of weeks have been in the high 20s, sometimes flirting in the 30s. My standard crockpot chili recipe is a good standby, but I was interested in creating something different. Usually when I’m searching for a new twist on an old recipe, I turn to my Secret Recipe Club pairing for an idea. Serena and Deanna over at a Teaspoon of Spice did not disappoint.
Thanksgiving was a little different this year. Usually my husband and I celebrate with both families on the same day. Early supper at 2pm with my family followed a later dinner at 6pm with his family, both with tables topping a dozen guests. Don’t even talk to me about food comas. But this year we did mini celebrates, one per day. On actual Thanksgiving we celebrated at my grandma’s with my immediate family dining on a traditional turkey with (much appreciated) gluten-free everything on the side. Dinner number one was delicious, but it was Friday’s dinner at my in-laws house that blew my mind. And it had nothing to do with the fancy cherry-stuffed turkey roulade.
Often times, after dining at a restaurant, I feel compelled to replicate a dish I couldn’t get enough of. Usually this ends up being a 12 hour braised cut of meat, with 15 components including a vegetable mousse, dehydrated vegetables and liquid nitrogen something. Perhaps that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point. The dishes I fall in love with are often so complicated that once my wine buzz wears off, I realize how ludicrous my attempt would be. So I scrap it.
For the longest time chestnuts have been somewhat of an anomaly for me. I love their subtle, nutty flavor, but have enjoyed them in dishes at restaurants, never at home. During the holidays, supermarket shelves are packed with canned and jarred chestnuts, begging you to “buy me!”.
Brooklyn Locavore 