Category Archives: cooking

Pappardelle with Braised Guinea Hen Ragu

Posted on March 16, 2012 by diary of a tomato

Homemade pasta with a slowly braised ragu is perfectly suited for making as a Sunday supper. The process fits in well with the pace of the day, and results in a lusciously rustic meal that leaves us fortified for the … Continue reading →

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Pantry Chicken Soup with Seaweed

Posted on March 9, 2012 by diary of a tomato

I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming. I’d avoided getting sick this winter, but it crept up on me this week and hit with a vengeance. Some chicken soup was clearly in order. I’ve learned to keep my … Continue reading →

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Buttermilk Scones with Currants

Posted on March 7, 2012 by diary of a tomato

It seems every good bakery now offers scones but among the advantages of baking your own are the warm, buttery aromas that fill up the kitchen, something more difficult to package up and bring home. This basic recipe is from … Continue reading →

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Marina di Chioggia

Posted on March 6, 2012 by diary of a tomato

I can never resist Marina di Chioggia, an Italian beauty. This heirloom, also known as Chioggia Sea Pumpkin, hails from an Adriatic port by the same name, thriving in the salt air and sandy soil found there. This maxima squash … Continue reading →

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Spring-Dug Parsnip Chowder

Posted on March 2, 2012 by diary of a tomato

Described as having “hints of mace, cinnamon, celery seed, and clove,” the flavor that most came to mind when I first tasted parsnips was coconut. I was in my 20’s, living in New York, and visiting friends in the country … Continue reading →

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Sourdough English Muffins

Posted on February 29, 2012 by diary of a tomato

I’m not very good at things that require sustained attention, and maintaining a sourdough culture is one of them. I’ve tried ones from Carl, Breadtopia, and Paula, and even making my own. They would languish in the back of the fridge, … Continue reading →

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Old-Fashioned Baked Beans with Smoked Bacon

Posted on February 24, 2012 by diary of a tomato

We take our beans seriously here in New England. Rumour has it that the reason there are so many different varieties is because every town had its own bean. I’ve yet to try them all but am working on it, … Continue reading →

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