This is a Cottage Pie rather than a Shepherd’s Pie because it’s made with beef, not lamb. It’s made in the Instant Pot with shredded potatoes rather than the oven with mashed potatoes because…. Well, why not? I made this on one of those rare nights when I really needed something quick and was not in the mood to cook. We had spent a long day running errands, which is … Continue reading →
I love cabbage of all colors but I particularly love red cabbage. It’s sweet and sour flavor goes well with assertive meats like duck, goose or venison; and with bland meats like chicken breasts. Toss it with pasta, eat it over potatoes, add it to sandwiches….. When one is cooking for two and cooking something the size of a cabbage it’s important that the result be flexible. We like it … Continue reading →
I have been cooking almost every day for most of my life. I’m getting tired of doing it. When I was single I cooked soups and stews and sauces; freezing portions. I could have a varied menu every week without having to cook every night. But I’m perfectly happy to live on soups and stews and pastas….. and risotto which doesn’t require much effort. After I married we ate more … Continue reading →
Mac & Cheese is to Americans what Spag Bol is to British. To be more clear: Mac & Cheese = elbow pasta with a cheese sauce; Spag Bol = Spaghetti Bolognese. To be fair the American label for their favorite comfort food is fairly accurate. The British label for their favorite nursery food is not even close to spaghetti with a real Ragù Bolognese. Not to be too critical, Spag … Continue reading →
One of the things I like best about learning to use new toys is clear, concise, consistent directions. It would appear that such directions are not available for the Instant Pot. I would attribute the lack to the fact that most recipes seem to be created on the fly by amateur cooks and not rigorously tested like in the cook books of old. Or they’re tested but no thought is … Continue reading →
Anyone besides me remember that? Actually, I don’t remember it either….. I just remember the title No, No, Nanette. The Babes actually made ‘Non / Nan’ for the big February anniversary party. And they got very fancy with it, using stamps, and other kitchen tools. More about that later. I was seriously contemplating baking the bread this, for our ‘Baker’s Dozen Anniversary’ but, after having a look at the bread … Continue reading →
My mother was not an adventurous cook or eater. She liked the familiar. I didn’t taste broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts until I was an adult living on my own. That’s when I discovered frozen vegetables. My mother never bought frozen vegetables. I was so excited when I tried Brussels sprouts for the first time. Despite the fact that they were covered in cheese (Bird’s Eye Frozen) I thought they … Continue reading →
