It’s been a pretty tough year. We went from winter to hot summer with barely a notice of spring in Chicagoland, all the while sheltering in place. But to use a very worn saying, “When life gives you lemons…” You know the rest.

Prior to the lockdown, I visited friends in Florida. Upon arrival, I noticed a very large bowl of lemons on the kitchen counter. When I remarked on it, my host pulled me to the refrigerator and opened the crisper drawer. Continue reading →

One of the things I love most about farmers markets is discovering that something unexpected is in season. I always buy whatever it is, whether it was on my shopping list or not, and rush home to enjoy it immediately. While the markets have not been operating or only just recently on a limited basis, I have been fortunate to be able to buy from a group of local farmers who are delivering weekly in Chicago. Everything is just-picked-yesterday fresh and oh so flavorful.  Continue reading →

Listening to Raghavan Iyer talk recently about his new book covering all things potatoes (Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, and Baked – And Fried Too! Workman Publishing, New York, 2016) got me thinking about that humble tuber. In our rural home when I was a youngster, we didn’t know much about fancy grains, unique pasta shapes and other carbohydrates to use for side dishes. In our house, every day was potato day. Every. Day. Continue reading →