We had our Thanksgiving dinner a day early this year; I spent Thursday doing pretty much nothing. And today I find myself feeling like doing more of the same. Some reading, some snacking, maybe a movie. Two days in a row! Of not working! It’s just what I needed. Life has been too busy this year. All that work has to be balanced with some … Continue reading Notes & Stories: Reading for Rest Days
Winter Squash with Red Curry • Cabbage Slaw with Tangy Miso Dressing • Levain Rolls • Pineapple Icebox Cake I usually make this soup sometime in November, right around Thanksgiving. It’s the time of year for winter squash soups, and—although I just put a turkey into a brine full of sage, thyme, and garlic—it’s nice to have an alternative from the conventionally traditional flavors of … Continue reading Tuesday Dinner: Winter Squash with Red Curry
The power’s going out again, huh? There are going to be some very upset people in my house if the Fairfax theater is dark on Friday night. It’s the opening night of Frozen II, and we’ve already purchased our tickets. If PG&E does cut power, they sure as heck better get it back by Friday afternoon, or they’re going to have Poppy to answer to. … Continue reading Tuesday Dinner: Double Lentil with Romesco
There’s an ad on the back of the United grocery bags right now, with the face of a frowning, confused, wrinkled woman wondering “How did I get to be this old?” Well, I don’t know, lady, but I’ve been wondering the same thing. There were a couple of significant anniversaries this week—it was thirty years ago that the Berlin Wall came down, fifty years ago … Continue reading Notes & Stories: How Did I Get to Be This Old?
My sister Kelly called the other day, talking about leaving her kids here for a week or so this summer, while she and her husband go hiking with friends in Europe. I think that was in the back of my mind, as our soup today has a bit of a French slant. Instead of sage or rosemary, I chose to put thyme in the soup—a … Continue reading Tuesday Dinner: Vegetable Soup with Lemon-Parsley Sauce
I’ve been thinking about happiness this week, about how it’s not something I have to achieve or something to strive for, but something I can (and should) find right now. Happiness doesn’t need to be a constant state of being, but can be found in little “pockets of joy,” as Jonathan Van Ness says. Too often, I catch myself thinking “life will be better when … Continue reading Notes & Stories: Pockets of Joy
I’m still working my way back to normal life after last week’s power outage. You too? My freezer is still nearly empty; my fridge is filling back up, but slowly. We were luckier than many people—we have a gas stove, oven, and water heater, so we were able to cook and take hot showers. Our house was down to 40º, but I baked something every … Continue reading Tuesday Dinner: Chili
My favorite thing about blackouts is the total silence. (Why doesn’t anyone say “blackout” anymore? It’s so much more evocative than “power outage.”) There’s no refrigerator hum, no clicking whir from the wifi router, no stove fan, no buzz from dimmable bulbs. Also no meows coming from Minecraft kittens or dance music from a Bluetooth speaker. It’s so peaceful—and so rare. There’s nothing like a … Continue reading Notes & Stories: Blackout
4 large ripe tomatoes 2 Tb. olive oil (approximately) 1 small yellow onion, sliced 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. paprika (sweet or smoked) ½ – 1 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional, to taste) 8 cloves garlic, sliced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 tsp. tomato paste (optional, if you’ve already got an open can) salt to taste lemon juice and/or a pinch of sugar … Continue reading Shakshuka
