chik n' pastry

Once Bitten, Twice Boiled

Though I didn’t know it at the time, I found my very own Italian Stallion while drinking & eating my way through Europe’s boot. Hubs and I met during a 5-week Florence-based study abroad trip, and despite his trying to woo me from week 1, I was (somewhat) slow to reciprocate. Nonetheless, those 5 weeks were some [...]

Not So Flash Taco

China. Fine china. Bone china. You know, the fancy stuff you register for when you get hitched, or those dishes that your grandma gave your mom that your mom gave you (or maybe she just stored them away in the attic) that you’re supposed to give to your daughter. Sure, those dishes are pretty, and [...]

Converting to Chili

It’s safe to say it – I’m a chili snob. I mean, it’s not just chili; there are other things I’m snobby about too. I have, possibly after drinking too much of it in college, grown to severely dislike watered-down beer and will only drink ales, aka beers with substance, or soul. I have very [...]

One Down (and 3.6 to go)

My cooking friend, Mark, emailed me a few weeks ago with a list of questions, reading recommendations, and an update on the North Carolina snowfall. He was practically snowed-in, with 8 inches in one day, and spent his time making stock. Me? I probably would have made cookies, or pie. But stock’s good too. He recommended I [...]