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Rosemary Jalapeño Lemonade
When lemons caramelize on the grill, they become sweeter and slightly smoky. Combine their juice with a rosemary and jalapeño simple syrup, and you add fresh, green flavor that makes lemonade reminiscent of an infused cocktail.
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Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches
“She is a lover of art, words, sweets, and all things Mexican. She thinks from within a sugar skull.” At least that’s what it says in my bio for a poem published in Red Fez a few years ago, which you can read here. This weekend while indulging a serious Mexican craving, we headed to Playa Betty’s, a relatively new spot on the Upper West Side with a southern California vibe. We have some favorite spots that are closer to home, but we really wanted to relax, and the beachy feel and chance to try another kitchen’s take on Mexican won us over.
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A Skill Perfected: Mystic, CT Getaway
From the expert casts of a few night fisherman to the beautifully built wooden boats headed for an event at the seaport, I was struck by the examples of perfect skill and artisanship we encountered last week in Mystic, Connecticut. Even our meals had the touches that let you know the kitchen is honoring its ingredients.
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In Praise of Oregano
Fireflies, grill smoke, and my grandfather wearing a laurel made of mint stems. These are a few of the memories that light up my senses when I think about the summers of my childhood. At every picnic my parents hosted, he would take a trip to the mint bed, pluck a few stems to ward off mosquitoes, and craft a laurel fit for Caesar. It seems after all these years that my grandfather’s trick still holds weight. Year after year, the mint bed on the side of my house deters mosquitoes from that area. Perhaps I started planting it in remembrance of my grandfather and his funny little quirk, but…
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Spicy Summer: Thai Iced Tea
As we head into summer, most of us are craving beach time, outdoor markets, and clean, fresh food. There is a certain crispness to this time of year – the tartness of a ripening berry, the sting of the first sunburn of the season. With my shoulders the color of a strawberry stain, I am guilty of the latter. I have to admit it feels a little indulgent – the mark of a weekend well-spent. Amidst all of the pre-summer revelry, though, I sometimes crave a spicy apple cider or a slice of buttery, toasty pecan pie. Thai iced tea strikes the perfect balance between summer and fall. Star anise…
