Semiserious Chefs

I know I say it in practically every post, but I LOVE to peruse the isles and produce sections of any market I can find. This week I scored a green (unripe) papaya! Of course I have never had one and, without a smart phone like most people, I had to actually ask a living […]

I discovered this sauce in one of my favorite go-tos, “The French Market Cookbook” and was very excited to have the first opportunity to use it last Thanksgiving. Not only was it the perfect dip for our steamed artichoke leaves then, but I have been repeatedly making it since for a whole variety of uses. […]

Not too long ago, when the snow hadn’t flown yet but the doldrums of winter were definitely here, I asked Andrew for some ideas for the next preschool theme in our daycare. Black Smithing. That’s what he decided for a group of 2, 3, and 4 year olds. “Maybe in the summer?” was the politest […]

A few weeks ago, during one of my many excursions to the library, I skimmed through the recipe section pulling off a forgotten favorite on Russian and Polish cooking, then the title ‘Breakfast’ caught my eye. Joy of Cooking’s “All about Breakfast and Brunch.” I can see why a lot of people would be attracted […]

It’s been boggling my mind. I’ve spent more than a week wracking my brain. Finally I decided to ask someone else. I didn’t even have the question out of my mouth before I was laughing at myself for even having asked, knowing FULL-WELL the answer, “Andrew, what is it about cranberry sauce that no one […]

Meaty Bones. It sounds like the user name of some 15 year old girl on an ANA/MIA website. xxmeatyxbonesxx. Or even worse; something you’ll find on Urban Dictionary. Actually the first time I’d seen those words used it was in a recipe by The Minimalist, Mark Bittman, in his “Cooks at Home” book. Pasta with […]

It starts, “Mom, you have to try what I made for you.” “I’m going to serve you a bunch of things. Like eight.” “Oh, that looks good. Are those cubes of beef?” I ask. “Yes. Beef. Eight kinds of beef.” And now it begins. *Que dramatic, suspenseful ,building, orchestral music, heavy with violins* …and a […]

This, my rendition of tartar sauce, first made an appearance in Beef Served 8 Ways, but it was so successful that I decided it deserved it’s own notice. Similar to remoulade, tartare sauce is generally known as a French sauce, having shown up in their cookbooks dating back to the 1800’s. However, it is widely […]

I know, I know. You’re going to ask, “AGAIN?!” but seriously yes, I have again been inspired by ‘Chef’s Table.’ I see repeatedly the use of ingredients indigenous to the land where the foods are being prepared. I live in Alaska for crying out loud! It’s hard to find any place where that is more […]

THAT’S RIGHT. HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO! The great flavors of Sweet and Sour AND Teriyaki all rolled into one wonderful, full bodied, fragrant, and multi-purpose sauce! Around here we don’t waste our money on store bought teriyaki sauce. It isn’t that it’s expensive. There are, of course, plenty of really cheap and […]