morsels & sauces

The school year is winding down, the summer is gearing up, and I have been thinking about goodness. (A friend of mine has accused me of sentimentality in my preferences for literature (I am looking at you Jane Eyre and Cold Mountain ); such an accusation may be, indeed, true, but I do like to look for the goodness in the world, especially when I am under the weather and the seasons are starting the change). Today, I spent the day grading at my kitchen table and snacking on these lovely raspberry corn muffins from Ina Garten , whose cooking is always comforting, something I have needed as I have been nursing a cold. These muffins are admittedly more cake than muffin, but I haven't minded. I like a little sweetness and light in my life. Many years ago, another friend of mine and I were driving across Oregon to visit a friend in Portland. This drive originated in Salt Lake City, took us up through the fertile plateau of southern Idaho, and pushed us onto the hi...

Sweet business.  Meatloaf.  Who knew meatloaf could be so tasty? Okay, let's get a little philosophical before we get to the nitty-gritty of cooking.  I have been thinking about the concept of “enough.”  When is “enough” actually “enough” and how do you know? Most specifically, I have been thinking about this concept in regards to two things—stuff and food.  Let’s begin with stuff.  I have been in the midst of some cleaning things out.  Maybe it’s the new year.  Maybe it’s the desire for spring.  But I have been stuffing a lot of stuff into garbage bags to be hauled down to the local Goodwill.  Next on the list is a purge of the library to be taken down to Moe’s (my favorite used bookstore), where I will no doubt acquire one or two new (used) books, but at least the exchange rate is something like, bring in 10 books, leave with one.  I have cleaned out the pantry.  I have even cleaned under the bathroom sink....

Adapted from Cookbook #46:  The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook   (1999) Recipe: Homemade Granola I am woefully behind in posting, but I am keeping up with the cooking.  This week is Thanksgiving week, and I want to think about all that I am thankful for. The sublime--my family, as spread out, as welcoming, and as wacky as they may be; my friends, who understand that it's not personal that I am not returning their phone calls (but know that I am too lazy after four months to look for my phone charger); my job, which this week brought me to unexpected tears when some students thanked me for a glimpse into the teenage experience through The Bell Jar ; and my husband, who lets me steal his poker chips and who holds my arm in the rain as we walk to the car.  The ridiculous--my personal parking god (you'll be getting this year's thank you letter, Peter); NyQuil, which has been keeping me going the past two days (and by keeping me going, I mean putting me to sleep), and my ...