Living
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Creative Tips for a Culinary Herb Garden
Digital image from The Cloisters Collection, 1925, courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Now is the time when a tiny patch of earth seems most full of potential. Among the ruffled blooms and tasty vegetables that may soon fill your yard or community garden, carve a section for culinary herbs, and you might just transform the scent and flavor of your warm weather cooking. Since herbs grow best when snipped often, the more you use your herb garden, the greater the rewards. Plan a Garden Around Favorite Main Dishes When considering which plants to choose, think about the meals that carry you through the spring and summer.…
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5 Favorite Specialty Kitchen Tools
With specialty tools available for almost any cooking need, it can be tempting to pick up new gadgets. Many of these wind up being used once and then relegated to the back of the drawer. Avocado slicer, anyone? When the urge to make a purchase strikes, or you’re seeking a gift for the cook in your life, consider one of these five tools. Though their purposes are specialized, they help you to accomplish kitchen tasks that would otherwise be time-consuming, messy, or downright difficult enough to interfere with the enjoyment of cooking. Cherry Pitter Farmers’ market season is right around the corner, and with it comes hauls of fresh sweet…
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Kissable Lip Scrub
So many ways of kissing. So many ways of being kissed. Unfortunately, chilly wind and blazing sun wreak havoc on even the plumpest lips. Whether you’ve been on the slopes, relaxing in the sand, or (more often) running errands downtown, treat yourself to a gentle lip scrub to get rid of that dry, chapped feeling. With three simple culinary ingredients, you are on your way to being even more kissable. Lately I’ve been feeling like even natural products have too many ingredients. The lists are long, and I find myself deciphering their purposes. How many botanical extracts really are necessary in one shampoo? I consider this lip scrub to be…
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Recipe for Romance
Image: Sandro Botticelli / Birth of Venus Food and love are intertwined in beautiful and surprising ways. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, I’ll be talking about just that in a series of Recipe for Romance classes. Join me in person to learn about historic aphrodisiacs, food myths and facts, and inspiration for intimate gatherings as we explore the art and science of romantic meals. Dates are listed on the Thirsty Radish Facebook page, and if you don’t see a location near you, I can set up a private class for your group or even kitchen coaching for yourself. Please contact me to discuss all the class options that are available.…
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A Creative Table: Meaningful Place Markers
Gathering for a farm-to-table feast or a weekend brunch with loved ones offers the opportunity to communicate what you cherish about each of your guests. Whether the fare is simple or elaborate, a creative tablescape adds to the festivity and to the fun of hosting the party. You can throw away all the rules and pressure associated with entertaining, but always hold onto the joy of infusing meaning wherever you can, even down to the place markers. We all know that the best hosts take time to relax and enjoy the celebration. New friends or old, we feel truly welcomed in their home while we enjoy their signature dishes and…
