If you love the warm, cozy flavors of gingerbread, you’re going to adore this homemade Gingerbread Almond Butter. It’s everything we crave at any time of the year — toasty almonds blended until silky smooth, lightly sweetened with molasses and maple, and spiced with all those comforting gingerbread notes that make the whole kitchen smell like a hug. This is one of those simple little recipes that feels wonderfully special, whether you’re spreading it on toast, spooning it over porridge, or…

This is my report: Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2018 Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunningly good wine.

Mrs. Mai Tai wanted to go to Livermore for a night out and we eventually found ourselves at Tikeasy at Rosetta Roasting. Julie expressed interest in trying the Yuzu Fuzz, Rosetta’s award winning original cocktail that features Japanese Gin, yuzu reduction, and lemon – garnished with a buzz button blossom. It’s really great and very well-balanced, especially if you like floral notes in a cocktail. The buzz button numbs the tongue if you take a little bite and I guess makes the drink taste sort…

Did you think this was gonna be some grand metaphor blog post? Nope. You probably know: if you put Mentos in Diet Coke, it makes the carbonation go crazy and fizz shoots out of the bottle. It’s a “science” experiment akin to baking soda & vinegar volcano, freezing a banana in liquid hydrogen and shattering it, or playing with a bit of mercury in your hands. No? Just me? Anyway. What do you picture in your mind when you think of getting that tube of Mentos into the Diet Coke bottle? I bet you…

A yogurt cake is a classic French home dessert, so it’s no wonder that, as a part-time Parisian, Dorie has made it a classic dessert of hers as well. Mixed by hand and infinitely adaptable in terms of flavor, it’s a true anytime cake. I think we’ve made at least a few versions by this point in our bake-alongs, but this one– a Berry Yogurt Cake– is particularly suited for summer, when fresh berries are at their peak. In the cake, I used a combo of the sweet local strawberries that are at the…

I've tasted all of the flat whites in town, so you can always find a good one ☕️

Here’s a variety that I found in one of MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles subscription boxes! These boxes are discontinued, however you can find their stuff at MiauMall – here is what they said about this one – “Here’s a bowl that shows more love to the Kansai area! This tempura soba has a tasty traditional Japanese dashi made with kelp and bonito and is topped with crunchy tempura. And add the special Wakayama pepper, and you’ll have a flavorful Kansai soba! Instructions:” This is interesting. I’ve…

First, the inspiration: Which isn't bad, I guess, if you've got a Brave Heart kind of vibe going for your wedding. Certainly it's executed well. Anyway, here is what the paid, "professional" baker provided: Erm.[glancing between the two photos]It’s like seeing double, isn’t it?I mean, sure, the second one is collapsed in on itself, slumped over to one side, and channeling a bit more Bob Marley than William Wallace, but besides all that I’d say the decorator was bang on, wouldn’t you? Ok, ok, if…

Meredith Hayden’s Farro Broccoli Salad is a riff on one of my most-made salads: the Charlie Bird Farro Salad. TBH, once you start adding farro to your salads, you’ll never look back. Similar to Charlie Bird, Meredith simmers the farro in apple cider, then builds from there with roasted broccoli, pistachios, halved cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Everything gets drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil, then finished with shaved Parmesan and torn basil. The broccoli makes it a little heartier,…

I have an idea Steve would do the same.

If you’re looking for a fresh, colorful salad that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or easy summer suppers, this Low Fat Pot Luck Salad is a guaranteed crowd‑pleaser. It has all the b-auty and flavor of the classic layered salad, but with half the fat and calories and a wonderfully diabetic‑friendly twist. Crisp romaine, sweet peppers, juicy tomatoes, peas, spring onions, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon are layered twice for maximum crunch and flavor, all brought together with a light ranch…

(fairly quickly detours into phenomenally raunchy free verse and then swivels again — but in there’s some stuff that’s way out of bounds for kids and the sexually modest) I was roused from my pastoral torpor this morning by a Facebook ad from the Tastefully Simple® website offering basic preparation directions for Key Lime Cheese Ball Mix. And I immediately fell into a Zippyesque seizure of onomatomania, moved to chanting Key lime cheese ball, Key lime cheese ball, Key lime cheese ball. Then,…

The Tartar SteppeIn Dino Buzzati’s The Tartar Steppe, young Giovanni Drogo is sent to Fort Bastiani, a remote fortress on the edge of the Tartar Steppe. Like every other young officer in Italy, this is the last place he wants to be. There are no women, no peers, no fun. Other cities are considerably more attractive in terms of amenities and people. But like every other young officer in Italy, he accepts his assignment, albeit begrudgingly, having no other choice.Arriving at Fort Bastiani, Drogo…

We visited my sister at the weekend and left with her unwanted “Russell Hobbs Breadman Ultimate”. My sister got it from a friend of our mum. It’s pretty big for a kitchen counter top which is why my sister did not want it any more. We have the space for it on a table in our lean to so for the time being I am an artisan bread maker. Plain White Loaf Plain White Loaf Cheddar Cheese and Sunb Dried Tomato Loaf Cheddar Cheese and Sunb Dried Tomato Loaf Very pleased with the results. It is so easy.…

So another ‘this isn’t ramen’ however it’s a special vitamin and caffeine supplement to put in your soupy ramen! You can get it at ramen-aid.com. I tried the other version and what I was looking for is whether it changed the flavor of the broth and found it didn’t, so let’s see if this one does. Ramen-Aid Electrolyte Soup Supplement + Energy – United States Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, make your ramen and add in a sachet.…

A recipe for classic rahmschnitzel, schnitzel with cream sauce. You can use pork, poultry or veal for the meat. Rahmschnitzel is the latest post on Hunter Angler Gardener Cook.

If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and incredibly flavorful way to enjoy potatoes, these Roasted Potato Nachos are about to become a new favorite. Inspired by classic nachos but made with tender, golden roasted potato cubes instead of tortilla chips, this recipe delivers all the comfort without any of the crunch your family might not enjoy. Lightly spiced with a blend of chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic, and onion , the potatoes roast up beautifully crisp and golden on the…

Wānaka brunch with Mum

Talde Noodle Bar, LaGuardia Airport – New York, New York We are still in an airport, but not in Charlotte. I arrived at my destination, New York City. I’ve been to NYC many times and have featured it on the blog multiple times, but the last time was four years ago. Here’s my complete NYC series from 2022. That was when I attended my 40th High School Reunion. These pictures are from last year, taken on a trip with my wife. The city is big enough that I’ll show different scenes, though with the…

A stray brought her kittens to the garden today. Can you spot Mama Cat?

Two of the chefs on Food Network's 100 Cooks bailed after the first episode, and it's hard to blame them: it's a rough start for this new format. Here's my review!

Our San Francisco weekend finished with Sunday brunch at Hula Hoops in South San Francisco. We didn’t partake in any cocktails but enjoyed the Ube Waffles and Avacado Toast, both a good value given the portion size and quality. We also ordered the cornbread – Julie liked this more than I did but warm cornbread is always welcome. The staff seated us in the tiki room built by Bamboo Ben, where there are two tables for four. We enjoy the quiet escape and relaxing feel of this space.

It always gets me how this noodle pairs so well with the broths and sauces. This is a new package and size version. I must say that this one as with the Prawn Soup variety won’t be available in the United States. However, go to Singapore! I certainly would love to! Let’s cook this up, the last I have of the new package sized varieties. Prima Taste Singapore Fish Soup La Mian – Singapore Detail of the packaging (click to enlarge). Contains chicken and fish. To prepare, add sachet contents to…

The original: E io ch’avea d’error la testa cinta, dissi: “Maestro, che è quel ch’i’ odo? e che gent’è che par nel duol sì vinta?”. Ed elli a me: “Questo misero modo tegnon l’anime triste di coloro che visser sanza ’nfamia e sanza lodo. Mischiate sono a quel cattivo coro de li angeli che non furon ribelli né fur fedeli a Dio, ma per sé fuoro. Caccianli i ciel per non esser men belli, né lo profondo inferno li riceve, ch’alcuna gloria i rei avrebber d’elli”. E io: “Maestro, che è tanto greve a…

"Elegance isn’t about being noticed, it’s about being remembered."Isn't that a deep thought? I didn't think of it myself. I found it on Pinterest, which basically does my thinking for me these days. But I do think you'll find today's vintage style Sweets to be nothing but noticeable AND memorable. For instance, I don't think I will ever forget this cake, as I've been staring at it for a solid 20 minutes. By Melania's Exquisite CakesIts beauty has been burned into my brain! This next one is…

I couldn’t wait until cookbook club later today to start sampling dishes from Devin Finigan’s A Kitchen on Goose Cove, so the second I saw rhubarb at the store, I snatched up a bunch and made her Rhubarb Galette. I was expecting pie dough, but this is actually made with a rough puff pastry, where grated butter gets worked into the dough before rolling, folding, chilling, and repeating. It’s SO much better than pie dough, IMHO – golden, buttery, flaky perfection. The chopped rhubarb is macerated…

“Waktu tidur, nafas kamu bunyi,” Abang, suami saya, berkata suatu hari. Saya menatap Abang dengan wajah horor. Hari itu libur dan saya menghabiskannya dengan kegiatan paling menyenangkan di akhir minggu: Bangun siang. “Masa Iya? Mungkin kecapekan.” Saya menjawab sekenanya, karena memang kalau kecapekan saya suka mendengkur. Tapi nggak bisa dipungkiri, saya jadi menyentuh leher yang akhir-akhir ini terasa lebih tebal. Mirip badak. ”Bukan. Kayak sesak. Lemak kamu di leher udah banyak itu.” Saya…

Here I am again with another Meals of the Week Post. On Sundays I like to share with you, my dear readers, all of the meals that I have enjoyed eating as my main meals over this past week. When you are a person that lives on their own there can be a tendency to eat out of tins, or to eat frozen meals. I don't want that to be my life and if I can inspire one person to also want to cook for themselves, then I think that's a great thing.My late mother lived all on her own from the age of 54 to 81…

My wife's annual1 family reunion is here. For those like me who were never actually introduced to anyone over the last decade of attendance, the event's highlight is the big carry-in lunch. I'm currently making my mother-in-law's famous recipe: Frozen Meatballs dumped into a Crock-Pot with spaghetti sauce2 (it's always a hit. I'll swipe one every time I walk past the table). Meanwhile, my wife is making an éclair cake, which consists of graham crackers layered with boxed vanilla pudding and…

Nau maiYesterday we played an outdoor show in Indianapolis. My breakfast yesterday was a bowl of granola with milk and yoghurt topped with blueberries and a very soft banana from the hotel lobby fruit basket. The weather was excellent all day. Nothing but sun and blue skies. Here we are on our way to get coffee before beginning load-in. Our venue was in the Fountain Square neighbourhood, a cultural district filled with handsome, old brick buildings. Here is the Lady Spray herself, the fountain…