Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Simple Food Pleasures #2

Freeze chopped fresh herbs in a little water or homemade clear broth in ice cube trays. Herbs such as chives, parsley, dill, tarragon and basil work well. Try others, too. Once frozen, place the cubes in freezer bags and use throughout the winter for a fresh taste in soups and other dishes. gg

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

The Perfect Loaf

I love homemade bread, just not mine. However, this is going to change. Although there are books for dummies on almost every subject, the only bread related dummies book I found was Glenna Vance’s Bread Machines for Dummies. I intend to make bread the way it's been made for millenniums--by hand kneading with an occasional nod to the food processor and Kitchen Aide dough hook. I have found two books with which I will start my quest for the perfect loaf. Ultimate Bread by Eric Treuille and Ursula Ferrigno and a 1977 publication Great Bread! The Easiest Possible Way to Make Almost 100 Kinds by Bernice Hunt. I will share my success and failures as I rise to each occasion.

Simple Food Pleasures

Cook your favorite pasta al dente, then toss with exta virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs. Sprinkle with grated parmesan reggiano cheese and add a salad. Dinner is ready.

About Me

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I am involved extensively in the arts and entertainment industry.I cover the Chicago scene as an independent contractor for the Chicago Tribune Media Group on ChicagoNow's "Show Me Chicago." (www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago) As a journalist, my work has appeared in print in major publications throughout the nation. But that's way too much information about me as this is Sam's blog. I intend to watch and listen closely to what he is telling me and try to explain the world through his eyes.