tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:39:56 +0000working momwine notesbreast feedingdining ruleseasterfried chickenmoneypost partumslacker bloggerslow cookerad hocanniversarybeachbeansblue duck tavernboobsbudgetingcakechildbirthchuck e cheeseclaritha's fried chickencomet wingscookie magazinecookingcooks illustrateddavid changdc restaurantsdiningdinnerdisney worldfloridafoodglass stopperground hog dayhanky pankyherniajeansknob creeklamblaura merciermaldon sea saltmandarin hotelmedelamomfukupinot noirpumpingruth reichlsalsasleepytimespanxst. louisstarbucksstay at home momstrawberrytender at the bonethomas kellerthomas the trainveritas wine barwashington wineswe built this cityRandom thoughts on motherhood, career and my food obsession. And anything worth gossiping about.http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (rkc)Blogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-2445840575674853234Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:47:00 +00002010-02-08T19:25:39.902-08:00claritha's fried chickenfried chickenruth reichltender at the boneI recently finished reading Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table. In one chapter, she talks about camping out in an Ann Arbor "integrated" bar in the 60s for a sociology paper. Given my recent study of frying chicken, I knew I had to make "Claritha's fried chicken" for the Superbowl.(taken from Tender at the Bone, but haphazardly re-imagined while imbibing and shooing small http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-fried-chicken.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-1643097622722738825Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:47:00 +00002010-02-07T19:02:35.603-08:00ad hocdavid changfried chickenmomfukuthomas kellerRecently my foodie friend Adam (follow him @adampasick) and I decided to pit our newest cookbooks against each other: Thomas Keller's ad hoc at home versus David Chang's Momofuku. I'm all for the recent fried chicken craze and couldn't wait to see if Keller's Buttermilk Fried Chicken (p. 16) could beat Chang's Fried Chicken (p. 88) with Octo Vinaigrette (pg. 107).Keller comes off as exacting, http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2010/02/photo-essay-on-fried-chicken-throwdown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-5283640164504935493Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:01:00 +00002009-04-29T18:24:38.106-07:00cakestrawberryWe had a shock of summer - three days of 90 degree weather - but this morning's rain brought back chilly, rainy 55 degree weather. So while I dig out my warm sweater and snuggle under a blanket to read today's Washington Post Food section, I'm still dreaming about warm, sunny weather.And nothing feels more like summer to me than strawberry shortcake. If strawberry shortcake is a cotton sundress,http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2009/04/strawberry-cream-cake.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-6538638811704362851Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:47:00 +00002009-04-13T19:28:34.983-07:00cooks illustratedeasterlambI put the question to the Twitterverse - or at least to those 200 or so folks who are supposed to be reading my Tweets on Twitter: thyme honey glazed ham or herb roasted leg of lamb? Showing how immensely influential I am (inside joke), I got a total of 2 responses (interestingly from Jewish friends). One for ham and one for lamb.In the end, the reluctant grownup got his way: lamb. And I made a http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-easter-thanks-to-cooks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-9112232589885809303Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:06:00 +00002009-03-02T18:41:19.709-08:00beanssalsaphoto courtesy of frangrit on flickrIt probably wasn't until I was in college that I learned what a real dinner party was. Growing up, my family didn't have much disposable income and had no sense of "entertaining." As a good Christian family, we "ministered" to others. There was never any fine china, a prime rib coming out of the oven or fine wines being decanted. We had "bean parties."Early http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/12/bean-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-6267614133922513421Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:58:00 +00002008-11-25T19:00:30.931-08:00comet wingsIn my opinion, these are the best wings in town. Now, if only I had the recipe for that horseradish/creme fraiche dip.http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/11/comet-wings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-3794324923153622653Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:56:00 +00002008-10-11T07:02:24.266-07:00As relayed by our good friend, K:[Last night 2-year-old daughter] calls me to get her out of her crib at 9:00 pm (like clockwork) to go to the bathroom. I'm keeping her company, sitting on the edge of the tub next to the toilet.She touches my forehead and says, "What's that?"Me: "My forehead?"She: "No, Mommy, what's that? " (running her hand horizontally)Me: http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/10/time-for-botox.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-3444845901861321866Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:39:00 +00002008-10-02T03:37:19.848-07:00budgetingmoneyworking momAs the Democrats and Republicans fight over this massive billion dollar bail-out deal that will hopefully save the American and global economy from completely collapsing, I'm really starting to get a bit worried. What if I or the reluctant grownup should lose one -- or both! -- of our jobs?! Like any late and guilty converter, I'm starting to pay more attention to the financial picture. I've puthttp://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/10/bail-me-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-9009788062198780969Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +00002008-09-16T18:43:39.458-07:00cookingdinnerslow cookerI've realized that being able to come home and cook a decent dinner is an absolute must in order for me to feel sane. Ordering pizza, making mac & cheese in the microwave and resorting to cereal is my version of shit happens. Putting together a quick, delicious, healthy and budget-conscious dinner makes the perfectionist cook in me smile.So with our recent decision to sign up for http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/09/dinners-this-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-2036187464500833435Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:32:00 +00002008-07-09T19:03:55.194-07:00diningst. louisWell folks. St. Louis was not good for losing the baby weight. Toasted ravioli. Provel cheese. Ted Drewes frozen custard. Gooey butter cake. Pork steaks with Maull's barbecue sauce. And one of the best dining experiences in recent memory at Niche, owned by chef Gerard Craft who was just named one of 2008's Best New Chefs by Food & Wine.As soon as the July issue of Food & Wine came out andhttp://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/07/good-eatin-in-st-louis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-2042077144038324554Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:22:00 +00002008-06-29T18:52:20.620-07:00I had many thoughts earlier today that ended with, 'yeah, that'll be good to blog about.' Sadly though, I can't remember too many of those.Maybe it was the tortuous 3-hour car ride with screaming baby, chatty 3-yr-old and highly anxious husband, or the ill-planned Sunday night trip to Whole Foods to join the throng every annoying self-centered urbanite joined by - once again - screaming baby who http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/06/happy-half-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-96710828922925046Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:57:00 +00002008-06-17T19:17:46.767-07:00breast feedingworking momOver the weekend a friend and co-worker jokingly mentioned that she was basing her self-worth on the number of social media followers she had. I had to laugh because I realized that even more sad was what I use to evaluate my self-worth on a daily basis: number of ounces.Lately it's been a measily 6 oz per day. Back in the day I could easily produce 12 or 15 oz.Of milk that is. (Most of you are http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/06/and-first-shall-be-last.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-2760065379378339981Sat, 31 May 2008 06:14:00 +00002008-05-30T23:21:01.400-07:00Had a very good conversation with a good friend about how vices and parenthood co-mingle.What makes one a good parents vs. a bad parent? What makes one a good wife vs. a bad wife? Struggling with the fact that getting fucked up with my hubby is actually very good for our relationship aka good for our marriage. But wondering how a hungover mommy is good for my kiddos.Maybe Dooce knows? I think http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/05/good-wife-good-mom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-2647923123503108298Thu, 29 May 2008 01:45:00 +00002008-05-28T19:20:37.666-07:00beachdisney worldfloridaOnce again, it's been a very bad month for blogging. The all-encompassing job thing continues to interfere.The mini family reunion in my hometown of Melbourne, Florida was a nice diversion though. There may be no pleasure greater than watching your kid groove in the sand and waves at the beach.We also gave in to the inevitable, infamous Disney World visit. Was it magical? Yes, if you consider http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/05/magical.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-1397365745690684808Fri, 23 May 2008 13:56:00 +00002008-05-23T06:57:35.542-07:00http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/05/it-just-doesnt-get-any-better-than-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-7222400544332859117Wed, 07 May 2008 01:33:00 +00002008-05-06T19:06:09.809-07:00jeansmoneyIt's time to fess up. I've gotten so spoiled lately.I remember when I was 8 we had no money to buy clothes. My 4 sisters and 2 brothers eagerly looked forward to that day when another family at church would give us hand-me-downs in big brown paper shopping bags. We'd take the bags home in our beat-up Volkswagon van and wonder what it would be like to have new, store-bought clothes and be one http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/05/its-in-jeans.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-7647227117898939187Mon, 05 May 2008 01:25:00 +00002008-05-04T19:05:25.713-07:00thomas the trainIt was slightly absurd - getting the whole family up and out of the house by 7:30 this morning to attend a Day Out with Thomas at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore. Even more incongruous was driving through the Baltimore ghetto -- crack addicts, street walkers, police cameras, etc -- to get to the museum where Thomas was making his appearance.Once inside the fenced parking lothttp://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/05/day-out-with-thomas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-5947560006710573643Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:58:00 +00002008-04-21T19:55:03.199-07:00anniversarymandarin hotelThis coming weekend marks the 7th wedding anniversary for hubby and me. An apartment, two houses, one dog, two babies, one near divorce, a damn good therapist, four jobs and many cases of wine later we're better friends and more in love than ever.To celebrate -- and to remind ourselves that we are husband and wife -- we're taking a mini vacation. The in-laws are coming from St. Louis to watch http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/04/strangers-in-familiar-place.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-3821846498849932980Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:50:00 +00002008-04-16T20:14:07.986-07:00knob creeksleepytimeLast night I attempted to self-medicate-away my stress with half a bottle of Petite Syrah and a little Knob Creek on the rocks.Tonight I'm trying a cup of Sleepytime herbal tea and the latest issue of Real Simple. Should be thrilling.I have to say, the Knob Creek website is much cooler than the Celestial Seasonings. Knob Creek does a pretty damn good job of making you think you're special for http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/04/bi-polar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-5680365468861641994Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:10:00 +00002008-04-14T04:52:58.667-07:00slacker bloggerworking momOf all the titles I carry - Wife, Mother, Milk Bar, Executive Producer, Friend, Cook, Housekeeper, Accountant and Blogger - I've slacked most in the Blogger department lately. I have a list of draft posts that is getting embarrassingly long. And I have even more mental-note-blog-about-this ideas crowding my brain.The irony of it all is that my work - helping clients understand and use social http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/04/too-busy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-3846253376809791761Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:22:00 +00002008-04-13T18:07:40.526-07:00breast feedingpumpingworking momThis week I had one of those moments when you kind of stop and realize what you're doing is utterly ridiculous - but also so indicative of your life. I was Googling "pumping moms" -- it's almost too painful to even admit/type.The good news is that thanks to the Internet I now know I'm not the only woman out there who has a love/hate relationship with her breast pump...and struggles with http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/04/pumping-moms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-8912130074465888025Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:15:00 +00002008-04-13T18:08:25.023-07:00cookie magazinehanky pankymaldon sea saltslow cookerThings I'm lovin' right now:Maldon Sea Salt: I love the way the "soft white flaky crystals" feel when I pinch a bit and sprinkle it over food. At 9 bucks a box, it feels like a guilty pleasure. But it's worth every penny. Not only is the texture nice, but the taste is exponentially better than even kosher salt. Anything that makes food taste more like itself, but better, sharper, clearer is good http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/03/things-im-lovin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-5518807324422102964Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:43:00 +00002008-04-13T18:08:48.076-07:00easterground hog dayOverheard at church this morning:Small Child: Easter is when Jesus came out and saw his shadow.So naturally, the hubby and I had a good chuckle over the kid's confusion between Ground Hog Day and Easter, Punxsutawney Phil and Jesus Christ.Later on, as we attempted to leave a brunch gathering but were road-blocked by our 3-year-old who refused to put on his shoes and instead choose to run away http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/03/happy-easter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-5871713898292532902Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:56:00 +00002008-04-13T18:09:10.331-07:00dining rulesAs I mentioned before, I spent the weekend in Miami with the girl friends. While we were ordering our first round of beverages at the Delano Hotel, a new rule came to me. (And for those of you not familiar, I have a running set of rules I'm collecting.)So, without further ado:Rule #4: If you happen to find yourself at a bar where there's a bachelorette party, turn on your heel and get the hell http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-rules.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6618268865009804814.post-4916482366791100310Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:53:00 +00002008-04-13T18:09:44.432-07:00slacker bloggerwe built this cityDear Blog -It's been a while. I know, I know. You're tired of hearing the lame excuses about how I'm too busy now and how after spending all day at the computer for work the last thing I want to do is type another keystroke.No more excuses. I promise. I'm gonna turn over a new leaf. I'm gonna wake up early - or steal a few minutes during the day - to fit in blogging (and exercising).Those http://mydirtydishes.blogspot.com/2008/03/knee-deep-in-hoopla.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (rkc)0