by Brian | Apr 6, 2010 | Cookbook Reviews, Dedicated Drinker's Diary, Recipes
Not everything about Iran is controversial. Pomegranates were first cultivated there and their use has spread across the world. Pomegranates are one of those how-did-they-figure-it-out foods. I guess someone was pretty hungry to fight one open, then finally figure out...
by Brian | Apr 5, 2010 | Cookbook Reviews, Recipes
Sometimes your food discoveries just pop up unexpectedly, but deliciously. Suzen and I were wandering the Ferry Building in San Francisco on a Saturday, the site of perhaps the best farmers’ market in the country. It is a triumphant maze of new and old flavors,...
by Brian | Apr 3, 2010 | Cookbook Reviews, Dessert Digest, Recipes
Growing up in Portland, one of my favorite desserts was Boston Cream Pie. I used to fantasize about what kind of city could have created such a magnificent array of vanilla cake, custard filling and whipped cream topping dotted with bananas. Yes, it’s called a pie,...
by Brian | Apr 2, 2010 | Cookbook Reviews, Recipes
Cookbook titles can be seductive: “Great” this or “Best” that. Or just generic: “Sauces” or “Chocolate Cake.” Those are unexciting but fine, and you know what you are getting. Sometimes, I need to be motivated. I need an active title. So when I saw a book called How...
by Brian | Apr 1, 2010 | Cookbook Reviews, Dessert Digest, Recipes
Sadly, milkshakes seem to be waning a bit. It’s a smoothie and cappuccino world. I like a tall, cold beverage and I do visit my neighborhood smoothie joint. I never take the offer for a “free boost.” I’m too old for recreational drugs and too young for life support....
