Labors of love
There are some things I do as a baker that I do not really enjoy, and am thankful that they are only infrequently required. One of those is the task I completed this evening, making candied violets. While I adore being…
Eat Your Books blog archive
Don't tell your nonna, but this is a better way to cook pasta
True or false: to make pasta you need to have a large kettle of boiling water, about 6 quarts per pound of pasta. For decades most people would have said "true", but people are turning to a newer way of cooking pasta…
No shame in the grocery aisle
NPR published a bewildering (to me) story today. It profiled shoppers who were seemingly ashamed to shop at Aldi and other low-priced grocery stores. The premise was that due to "economic pressures and frustrations"…
Food news antipasto
We start out this week's news with a couple of gardening tips. First, there is a surefire companion plant that can help maximize your cucumber (and other curcurbit) harvest: nasturtiums. Because nasturtiums have…
A surprising potential protein source
Protein is everywhere these days, as every food product imaginable is touting a protein-enhanced version or providing its protein bonafides. This comes at a time when animal protein is becoming increasingly expensive,…
James Beard Media Award nominees for 2026
Yesterday the James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 Media Awards Nominees. “We’re honored to announce this year’s James Beard Media Awards nominees—exceptional storytellers who are shaping how we understand the…
There's a new breed of chip in town
Potato chips/crisps are a beloved snack the world over. While the concept of this mainstay item is simple - thinly slice potatoes and fry them in oil - there is a lot of science behind them. One aspect of this is in the…
A prescription for lobsters?
For most home cooks, lobsters and other shellfish purchased live may be the only creatures we dispatch ourselves prior to cooking. There's been debate about the best, most humane way to kill lobsters, with many chefs…
Food news antipasto
Radio Cherry Bombe has a new miniseries debuting this week called “The New Home” which will feature conversations with women about their lives, kitchens, and inspiring careers. They are kicking off the series with Donna…
Get ready for Cinco de Mayo
While Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor historical anniversary in Mexico, in the U.S. it has become a much larger celebration. The date commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the first…
2026 Fortnum & Mason Award Winners announced
The winners of the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2026 were announced at a ceremony April 30 hosted by Andi Oliver and Angela Hartnett OBE, held at The Royal Exchange, London. This was the 14th annual Awards,…
Getting the arrangement right
I have the majority of my cookbook collection on five bookshelves all in one room. The other day I had the urge to rearrange the room (it's a spare bedroom), so everything got a deep clean and each book was taken off…