I don’t remember growing up eating Ritz crackers, but since I’ve been testing recipes for the upcoming Tupelo Honey Cafe Cookbook, I’ve had the pleasure of buying and eating these golden rounds of buttery goodness. Chef Brian Sonoskus at Tupelo Honey Cafe in Asheville has lots of good tricks up his chef’s coat, including crumbling [...]

Earl Grey-Cranberry Relish, Roast Turkey with Prunes and Kumquats, Grammy’s Cauliflower Gratiné, Straight-Up Cornbread Dressing, Sweet Potato Yeast Rolls, and more… photo Dan Schumacher. FOR THOSE who have asked for some of the recipes for this meal, the Sweet Potato Yeast Rolls came from Epicurious.com. We found the honey butter recipe could be cut in [...]

I don’t know how books help but sometimes they do make us feel a little less alone… I’ve been very fortunate to participate in many Book Club meetings where readers have gathered to discuss Trail of Crumbs. The book lends itself to lots of good food and drink and some soul searching. It’s amazing how [...]

My friend, writer and roadster, Pableaux Johnson, recently offered up a taste of my childhood to me in Florida where I was teaching a writing workshop. He pulled up with pressure cooker, rice, red beans, and Jacob’s andouille in his travel kit. In exchange for a walk on the beach and a peach bellini, my [...]

NEGLECTED BANANAS BREAD I’ve been testing recipes for a cookbook in North Carolina and have basically been tasting and not really eating much else other than what I need to test (gravies, BBQ sauces, and lots of fried birds). I had bought some bananas a few weeks ago—the perfectly freckled ones I love–but never got [...]

“INDIAN FOOD IS NOT ABOUT DRAMA OR HIDDEN RECIPES WITHIN RECIPES. IT’S ALL ABOUT SPICES, ADDED AT DIFFERENT TIMES DURING THE COOKING PROCESS, WHICH ADD LAYERS OF COMPLEX FLAVORS.” -Chef Suvir Saran When Foodbuzz asked Featured Publishers for submissions for the August 24, 24, 24 Event, I was on my way to see friends at [...]

I spent a few days visiting Sara Foster and her husband, Peter Sellers, at their home in Lake Placid. We do what we always do when we get together–eat and drink and make up recipes.

This beautiful sticky onion treat always brings me back to my student days at the University of Nice. I rented an apartment with a Swede, a Dane, and a German–all guys with big appetites who took turns cooking…mashed potatoes, jars of pickled herring, and more potatoes with mustard or other condiments. I grew up on [...]

Am leaving the farm and decided to poach some peaches in Lillet Blanc to leave as a gift to my hosts, Charlie and Suvir. This recipe is the first in TRAIL OF CRUMBS. I love the pairing of Lillet Blanc with fresh lemon verbena. Basil or lemon thyme would be just as good.

I started out this morning craving the flavors of India. Maybe I was still dreaming of a recent meal at Rasika in Washington, DC. From the house-candied ginger Champagne Cocktails to the English Peas and Cabbage with mustard seeds to the last fragrant bite of saffron panna cotta, my palate was alive and happy. In [...]

Is it too early to test cocktails? It’s 5 p.m. in Paris… I brought back this confit of rose petals–subtly sweet and fragrant–from Montreal. Stir a tablespoon or two into a glass of chilled bubbly…and garnish with a rose petal. What’s your favorite summer cocktail?

My friend, and new mother, Frances Largeman-Roth has just published her first book. Authors often say that publishing a book is like having a baby. Congrats to Frances for carrying 2 babies at once, sweet little Willa and FEED THE BELLY. About FEED THE BELLY:”The only eating guide for expectant moms that helps satisfy your [...]