From the category archives:

Casa SaltShaker

Almost Like Full Time Work!

2011.Dec.28 Wednesday

At this season things always get busy – lots of tourism and lots of folk wanting places to dine, particularly on the “nearly everything in town is closed what do we do now?” nights of the 24th, 25th, 31st and 1st. La Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve, we could have filled ten times over with [...]

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Begin at the Negroni

2011.Dec.19 Monday

 The negroni is a short and perfect apertivo made of equal parts bitter Campari, sweet vermouth, and floral gin over a couple of ice cubes with a small slice of fresh orange dropped in it to release its oils. That perfect Italian presence, which sparks your appetite and brightens your mood, holds in balance the [...]

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Fruits of the Season

2011.Dec.12 Monday

 But what makes seasonal fruit so scrumptious is that it is part of a rhythm, a rhythm that allows you access to it only once a year. And, let’s face it, it’s the 11 months of not having fresh strawberries that make fresh strawberries so inviting.” – Bob Welch, Lazy days full of anticipation, June [...]

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The Sauce

2011.Dec.09 Friday

 SAUCE, n. The one infallible sign of civilization and enlightenment. A people with no sauces has one thousand vices; a people with one sauce has only nine hundred and ninety-nine. For every sauce invented and accepted a vice is renounced and forgiven.” – Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary I promised in one of my posts [...]

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The Kingdom of a Million Elephants

2011.Dec.08 Thursday

 Behold Laos – a vivid world awash with monks in saffron robes, violet sunsets, & golden Buddhas.” A year ago, even six months ago, had it been Independence Day in Laos I’d have had out cookbooks and been delving into internet research to come up with traditional Lao recipes that I could prepare. And the [...]

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Post Wedding, Farewell Dinner

2011.Dec.04 Sunday

 Don’t be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” – Richard Bach, author Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. ‘Twas a private dinner for a young couple, he from the U.S., she from Argentina, just married [...]

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Post Thanksgiving Dinners

2011.Nov.30 Wednesday

 I have strong doubts that the first Thanksgiving even remotely resembled the “history” I was told in second grade. But considering that (when it comes to holidays) mainstream America’s traditions tend to be over-eating, shopping, or getting drunk, I suppose it’s a miracle that the concept of giving thanks even surfaces at all.” – Ellen [...]

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Fish, Not too much spice

2011.Nov.26 Saturday

 Do not overcook this dish. Most seafoods…should be simply threatened with heat and then celebrated with joy.” – Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet And, one more private dinner. Seafood on the menu, not too spicy. A couple of dishes selected by the guests from past menus. I’ve been playing around with some new whole grain [...]

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A Taste of Peru

2011.Nov.26 Saturday

 There are no loose ends. There is a systematic proposal to expand Peruvian cuisine, and I am willing to bet that in 10 years, we will have created a market that rivals Mexican food.” – Ernesto Cabellos, Director, Cooking Up Dreams Another private dinner this week and a bit of spice was on order…. Shellfish [...]

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