I saw the YouTube short from Chef John about poaching eggs. I’ve never poached an egg. I have double-boiled/steamed an egg in one of those pans for poaching eggs, but I’ve never done it in just boiling water. I learned two things. The obvious-after-the-fact one is that if you create a vortex in the waterContinue reading “Poached Egg”
Author Archives: Mark
Mark & Max – I
Stew of Lamb This is a Babylonian recipe for, wait for it, lamb stew. This recipe faced resistance. I don’t much care for lamb. I find it gamey and greasy. I absolutely loathe the ancient six-fingered Babylonian priests that have saddled us with 360 degree circles; dozens, grosses, and myriads; 12-hour time; 60 minute hours;Continue reading “Mark & Max – I”
Mark & Max
The Laird got me the Tasting History cookbook for Christmas. I haven’t watched every episode of Tasting History, but I enjoy it and I have made Pumpion Pie. I loved the movie Julie & Julia. The Anti-Chef’s Jamie and Julie series/subset is outstanding. I thought to myself, I thought, why not go through Tasting HistoryContinue reading “Mark & Max”
Learning 2 Bake from Scratch – LXIV
Peanut Butter and Jelly Shortbread This was the previous version with the changes I wanted to try. I still needed to add water to get something that would roll out. I used only 3 tablespoons (half-ish of 1/3 cup). That worked fine. I made these thicker, so there were many fewer. I used half theContinue reading “Learning 2 Bake from Scratch – LXIV”
What are Clocks for?
I need an “advocate for change” topic for a Toastmasters speech. I’m contemplating narrower time-zones and 24 hour UTC time. Yes, it’s silly, but I don’t have an actual change that I want to advocate for and our current time system is annoying. These are my initial thoughts on the subject. This would normally beContinue reading “What are Clocks for?”
Puppet Show Curtains
Nick does not like puppet show curtains. In fact, I believe that he coined the expression. Drapes and curtains “should” go from just below the ceiling to just above the floor. They are not “supposed” to be just barely larger than the window. I actually agree with this as a general rule. However, as youContinue reading “Puppet Show Curtains”
Learning 2 Bake from Scratch – LXIII
PB&J Shortbread This was triple inspired: My “early out of the oven so it stays moist” peanut butter cookies reminded Kay of shortbread (because they collapsed). Ari wanted me to vet a recipe for shortbread cookies with icing before she went to all the work of making them; I have not seen the recipe, yet.Continue reading “Learning 2 Bake from Scratch – LXIII”
Trendsetting
I can’t help it. It just happens. As you can see, I was collecting snowman heads long before every Metal band and their brother were singing about the need to “hew many snowmen”. It’s a heavy burden.
The Aunt Mary Game
I have no idea if that’s the real name of it. Judging by the results of searching the Intertubes, it’s not. That’s the name I learned, so I’m sticking with it unless or until someone provides the actual name. First, why am I bothering to post this? If nothing else, I referenced it at theContinue reading “The Aunt Mary Game”
Needy Macaroni
I just can’t help but snipe at serenity. This is version two of Nidi di Ronide from The Most Serene Republic of San Marino (version one, for backstory). The differences: To roll the noodles, I decided that an eighth of the dough at a time was a good amount, mainly because it’s easy to measureContinue reading “Needy Macaroni”
Marked Up 