How do you know which fat is best for sautéeing, and which is best for frying? Today I'm working on the cooking fats and oils chapter of 'The Feast of the Dove.' Knowing which cooking fats to use is both a skill and an art. Olive oil is one of the essential cooking fats. In…
Pantry organization ideas
I'm working on the pantry organization chapter of 'The Feast of the Dove' today, and have some ideas to share with you. Pantry organization doesn't need to be fancy. Have you ever known a cook who thought his or her kitchen had enough storage space? I sure haven't. But whether you're trying to organize a…
Beginning cooks: Tips for success
The secret to culinary adventuring for beginning cooks starts with what they know, rather than what they don't. Start simply, build skills little by little.
A snack mix recipe and some snacking tips
At the farmers market last week, I met David Romero, who sells nuts and other snacks. He tried to tempt me into buying more than I needed -- "buy four and get the fifth bag free," he said -- but I came home with only three four-ounce bags of his wares. I planned to use…
Kitchen equipment essentials
What pieces of kitchen equipment are absolutely necessary? I've been working on the pantry and equipment chapter of 'The Feast of the Dove,' and I have counsel to share on the topic. A heavy 10-inch skillet is a workhorse for any meal. Over the years, I have set up a home kitchen from scratch on…
The Sunday farmers market
A marvelous view accompanies a marvelous wealth of food. We're blessed in Tucson to have a farmers market somewhere in the city almost every day of the week, because of our mild climate and long growing season. My favorite market is the Sunday Rillito Park Heirloom Market, but I also like its sister market in…
How to choose good tools
... and a giveaway! No matter what your cooking style is, high-quality tools are essential. That doesn't have to mean spending lots of money, though. Here's your chance to get a really useful tool for free! I will spend hard-earned dollars on good knives, and on the equipment to keep them sharp. I don't have…
What makes a meal?
The way we eat is changing. Understanding the reasons behind the change may help shift your own thinking about how you feed yourself and others. In that fictional, half-century-old image of familial normalcy sitting down to dinner, we see mom in her apron, perhaps holding a laden platter; a smiling dad, his knife and fork…
Choosing a cover
One of the first tasks on Amazon's self-publishing platforms -- which must be done before you can go further -- is to create a cover for your book. I spent some time noodling around and like this format. Obviously, it's not final. The quote at the top will be replaced. I hope that one of…
How to build a better biscuit
Today, I'm working on the biscuit chapter of 'The Feast of the Dove.' It's the first of the recipe chapters in the manuscript. A section on pantry management, with information on how to choose and store pantry staples, including flours, sweeteners, and herbs and spices, preceeds the recipe chapters. Photo by Jodie Morgan (@twoluckyspoons) via…