GROWING AND COOKING YOUR OWN MUSHROOMS
You might consider growing some of your own mushrooms to cook and eat. It’s a treat.
COOKING WITH PUMPKINS
Pumpkin meat may be prepared for eating just as you cook other squashes: whole roasted; cut into large or small sections that are then boiled, steamed or roasted; even microwaved. Photo: Annie Spratt on unsplash
PRESERVED LEMON
Whenever you seek to add vibrancy, color, a bit of saltiness, or the tang of acidity to a dish, see if some preserved lemon might do the trick.
BEETS ROASTED IN FOIL AND BUTTERED
“This is the best method for cooking beets. It produces beets that are firm and not at all waterlogged. And it’s easy, neat and convenient.” Mark Bittman
“FRENCHED” RADISHES, ROASTED AND RAW
The French have a way with radishes. They butter them, both raw or cooked (yes, you can—and profitably—cook radishes) which serves to cut the radish’s pepperiness and, well, it is so French to butter stuff.
LUCKY FOODS
People in many cultures love to eat special foods that usher in good luck, longevity, abundance and hoped-for wealth in the new year. Among many such is the pomegranate.
JEWS AND OIL
The olive and olive oil were and are essential elements of the Mediterranean, therefore Jewish, diet. Moreover, they are foundations of the Jewish religion.
THE OYSTER
It’s astounding to note the history of the popularity of oysters in this country between the War of Independence and the heyday of the Western Expansion.
USING DRIED MUSHROOMS
Little else adds so much flavor to so many foods or preparations than the simple dried ‘shroom.
STONE FRUITS
While they are at their peaks, stone fruits are some of the more delicious, and healthy, fruits that we can eat.
COOKING WITH DRIED FRUIT & RAISINS
One fine way to smuggle some of summer into other seasons such as fall and winter is to cook with dried fruit.
TINNED FISH
Learn much more about eating tinned fish than its place in the tuna salad sandwich.
THE ANCHOVY
We eat anchovies all the time without knowing it, mainly because we don’t see them coming.
COOKING WITH OLIVES
Yes, olives are an acquired taste. You acquire them; you taste them. Done.
COOKING WITH TOMATOES
Your favorite tomato ought to be the last one that you ate. Always wait until a tomato is ready for you, not you for it.
HOMEMADE MAYONNAISE
Homemade mayonnaise: an ever so slightly piquant matrimony of egg yolk and oil, waxen and glossy, made by hand this very day.