Boozy Sour Cherry Compote

Are sour cherries even in season anymore? I made this so long ago, I have no idea.  Things have been so hectic lately that I have fallen behind with blogging, cooking, and life in general, I'm afraid.

If you can find  sour cherries, I highly recommend that you make this immediately. If not, well ... bookmark it for next year, I guess. Apologies! I will be a better blogger.

Spicy Korean Tacos, L.A. Taco Truck Style, for the International Incident Taco Party

I have never been to Los Angeles (*gasp*) but if I ever do find myself there, I know the very first thing I want to eat. Hmmm ... will I race to Mr. Chow's? Run to Mario Batali's Mozza? Skip to Matsuhisa?  No, no and no: What I really and truly long to do is taste one of Chef Roy Choi's Korean/Mexican fusion tacos. I envy the Angelenos who get to enjoy the amazing creations that come out of his Kogi Korean BBQ  taco truck. How could these things not be amazing?

Guest Post for Lazaro Cooks: Whole Roasted Fish in Fennel, Tomato, Olives & Herbs

When Lazaro of the eclectic, fun, and always-inspiring blog Lazaro Cooks! asked me to do a guest post, of course I agreed immediately. Given his passion for sustainability, I  knew I had  to make a sustainable fish dish, and so I decided upon this whole roasted branzino.

Latino Fest! In Which I Am Amazed by Many Indefatigable Performers, Eat My Weight in Cheese, and Realize, Once and for All, That My Stomach Really is a Bottomless Pit

Poppa Trix and I have wanted to go to  Latino Fest and chow down on all the goodies for years, but something annoying or necessary always comes up and prevents us. This year, despite the punishing heat and humidity, we were determined to make it. And make it we did, though we both nearly had heat strokes in the process.  Was it worth it? Well, see all  the food and judge for yourselves!

Gooseberry Tartlets with Jasmine Whipped Cream to Celebrate My Blogoversary

I hope you aren't too disappointed or angry with me when I tell you that I don't have anything clever or exciting  to give away for my blogoversary.  My excuses are legion: busy-ness, forgetfulness, sleepiness.  Instead, I offer you these gooseberry tartlets.  I knew as soon as I saw these berries at the farmers market that I had to make something out of them.  How cute are they?

Three Sisters Fritters: Corn, Fava Beans, and Zucchini Blossoms with Tarragon Butter & Cayenne Yogurt Dipping Sauce

 

What is true "American" food?  This is the question that Casey of Eating, Gardening, & Living in Bulgaria posed recently when she challenged food bloggers to come up with a dish that typifies American cuisine for the 4th of July. ("American" here is referring to the United States, not Mexico or Canada.) Normally, if you ask me about this, I'll tell you that New Orleans is the home of true American cuisine, in that it is a complete system of cooking with a real melting pot of influences: Native American, African, French, Spanish, Caribbean - and doubtless many more.