Category Archives: cooking

Boiled Cider, or Apple Molasses

Posted on February 22, 2012 by diary of a tomato

Many traditional New England recipes call for molasses, an ingredient that’s rooted in trade with the West Indies during Colonial times. It has a deep, dark, almost minerally flavor, and is what gives such dishes as baked beans, gingerbread and … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged | 5 Comments

Sesame Braised Daikon with Mushrooms and Ginger

Posted on February 17, 2012 by diary of a tomato

I finally gave into temptation. Does cooking in a clay pot really make a difference? I’m not certain, but this newly-acquired La Chamba is so beguiling, I find myself looking for excuses to cook with it. I’m just grateful I don’t live … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Linguine con Zucca, or Pasta with Shredded Winter Squash and Sage

Posted on February 15, 2012 by diary of a tomato

One of the first things I noticed in Italy was how the menus were written. Our limited vocabulary made them difficult to decipher, and there seemed a terse vagueness to the way food was described. Zucca, or squash, was particularly mystifying … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Pot-Roasted Chicken with Bacon, Celery Root and Calvados

Posted on February 10, 2012 by diary of a tomato

This wasn’t the first time I almost caught the kitchen cabinets on fire. When it comes to culinary technique, there are a couple of things I’m remarkably bad at, and burning off alcohol is one of them. It may be … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

La Brea Sourdough Bagels

Posted on February 8, 2012 by diary of a tomato

I can’t help but think of these as dinosaur bagels. This second batch is from the baking book, Nancy Silverton’s Breads from La Brea Bakery, and before Silverton made it famous for her bread, La Brea was known by every Los Angeleno … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged | 12 Comments

Northern Shrimp with Bok Choy

Posted on February 3, 2012 by diary of a tomato

One of our favorite ways of having sweet, Northern shrimp is in a soupy braise with Bok Choy. This is more of a homestyle dish, the one we turn to often when we want something comforting yet light. With a … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

11.29.12 Pomodorini update

Posted on January 31, 2012 by diary of a tomato

We have five small bunches of pomodorini, or hanging tomatoes, remaining in basement storage. Two of them are made up of Aprile tomatoes and three of Ponderosas, all harvested on September 16th. Pomodorini should be stored at their peak, however, … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, garden, tomatoes / pomodorini | 8 Comments