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Spaghetti with Sardines, Lemon, and Anchovy Breadcrumbs

Lila, my youngest sister, loves burgers, chocolate, and ice cream. She’s turning 9 this August. But most of all, that girl loves cheese. One night, when she was younger, I walked into the… Read More →

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We Bought a Pasta Maker

On his dad’s side, Danny’s ancestors are from Italy. Sicily, I’m told, and I believe his father still has relatives living there. That’s where the name Valentine comes from of course. Maybe this… Read More →

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Simple Roasted Apricots

I came home the other day with a bounty of fruit. Rhubarb, local blueberries, cactus pear, peaches that ended up topping a cake, and fresh apricots. The lovely orange apricots I’m more familiar… Read More →

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Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with White Beans and Olive Tapenade

I have to be careful what I email Danny. Sometimes I bookmark recipes I find online or I star them on Google Reader (not for much longer), but I email a lot of… Read More →

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Shout Out to Our Balcony + French Press

A light lace of spiderwebs hugged the rail, and yet, my balcony welcomed me back yesterday. I took a seat with a couple of cookbooks and a beer for company. It was breezy,… Read More →

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Buckwheat Pancakes

Meet our pancake of the moment, making Saturdays better for a couple weeks now. They look a little different from what we’re used to. Buckwheat flour stains the edges purple and blue around… Read More →

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Gianduja (Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread)

Perhaps my favorite thing about this gianduja— besides it being a rustic, homemade Nutella — is discovering it hardens when drizzled over ice cream, just like Magic Shell. It is absolutely perfect over… Read More →

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Moules à la Marinière

Most days, my high school art history teacher would pull up a stool next to the slide projector, flip off the lights, and show us the world through art. Byzantine, Baroque, Post-expressionism –… Read More →

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Pistachio Masala Lamb Chops with Cucumber-Mint Raita

On Christmas Day, I woke up and drove away from my parents’ house. We’d celebrated nochebuena the night before at home and spent the weekend together on our first family cruise. On Tuesday… Read More →