Lobster Cakes with Chipotle Lime Remoulade and Blueberry Upside Down Cake, Steak and Corn Chaat, Oh My

The Fourth of July dazzled. We barbequed, the pool came to us in the heat (30 minute thundershower, thank heavens for pop up tents), and the chickens entertained a gaggle of toddlers. Everyone, chickens included, were well-fed.   Lobster Cakes with Chipotle Lime Remoulade Adapted from an Ina Garten recipe 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided […]

Shrimp and Chorizo Paella for Espana

We have soccer fever here at the Hammer household! For the Spain game today we served up paella and Agua Valencia. Much to my chagrin, the paella was a fine consolation to Espana’s loss to Russia. But, oh, what a paella. Saffron credit goes to my neighbors Lucy and Michael who brought it all the […]

Francesco’s Linguine – Cheers to New Chapters

The secret to life is the daily reinvention of the self. Every day that isn’t a default loop tour through the same old choices and scenes is indeed a new day. It will be new whether or not you make it new, so as Auntie Marion once hauntingly whispered in my ear when I told […]

New Orleans Orchids with Teriyaki Kabobs and Kale Chips

This tropical place. KP and I discovered the New Orleans Orchid Society this afternoon by accident. It was like walking into a garden of wildly colorful birds. There must be time in the life I have ahead to become a master gardener of orchids. What gorgeous plants. They are the Mardi Gras of nature. There […]

Zucchini Pasta with Parmegiano Reggiano to 100 years

The fountain of youth no doubt is a slurry of vegetable pasta and black coffee. At least that’s what Alice told me as she turned one hundred this weekend. KP and I went out to Seattle to visit his grandmother as she clicked over into a new category of impressive human: centenarian. She is a […]

Pod and Bean Dinners: Fajitas, Pumpkin Chili and Quinoa

The paint palette of spring sometimes requires a boost. And in my particular case, the colors need to be vertically boosted away from the hungry beaks of my backyard chickens. KP and I re-purposed these pallets into flower beds. Really enlivens what was otherwise a chain link fence with all the usual vines. Spring usually […]

Easter Brioche for Bostock and Grilled Salmon Burgers

Easter will heretofore be marked by the ritual making of brioche. Tartine brioche. There was a recipe in Char Broil the Great Book of Grilling for salmon burgers and the suggested bun was a brioche roll. I walked to our local grocery on the lookout for some fresh made brioche buns and found only processed, […]