Wheaty Baguettes

Homemade bread is easier to make than you may think, especially if you own a food processor. All that’s required is a little flour and yeast, and a little larger commitment of time and patience. Allocate several hours for the process, and don’t be dismayed if your first attempt is less than perfect – you…

Toasted Maple Corn Muffins with Maple Honey Butter

Mix up a couple of authentic American flavors like maple and corn, and what do you get? Crumbly, toasty golden muffins just right for a lazy breakfast or afternoon tea. Bake the muffins in paper and they’re great for on the go meals or road trips. Or, simply pour the rich corn batter into a…

Ichiban Dashi

Dashi, or Japanese stock, is the most essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Rest assured you can buy pre-made dashi – either in liquid or powder form. But, if you learn to make your own, the flavors and richness of your Asian dishes will be deeply enhanced. It only takes three ingredients to make dashi –…

Crêpe Dracula

Costumes are ready, parties planned, trick or treating routes mapped out. But have you thought about your Halloween breakfast?  Whatever your age, here’s a trick you should treat yourself to: bite-sized banana Draculas wrapped in chocolate capes and drizzled with crimson fruit sauce. These are easy to make and fun to assemble. Consider bringing the…

The Food of French St. Martin – Part 4, Dining In

When we visit St. Martin, we enjoy dining in almost as much as dining out! Love the cute kitchen I get to cook in: Come on in…. All the local and imported products make for some wonderful home-cooked meals… Of course we do a lot of grilling… We even grill the bread! Yum! I use…

Komatsuna no Goma-Ae

Komatsuna is a slightly tangy Japanese vegetable similar to spinach. When topped with Goma-Ae, or toasted sesame sauce, you’ll find a perfectly satisfying contrast of sweet and spicy flavors. Don’t be concerned if you can’t locate komatsuna – almost any leafy green can be used in this dish with delicious results. My favorite local sushi…

The Food of French St. Martin – Part 3, Grocery Shopping

Sorry, I’m still harping on about the food of French St. Martin. Could be I’m a little obsessed? It’s just that I have all these lovely photos to share: The combination of imported French products and local fare is just too tempting. And the bread, oooh the bread. I couldn’t get enough of these poppy-encrusted…

Irish Parsnip and Apple Soup

In my mind I see a woman, head slightly bent against the wind and hefting long skirts. There is still a blustery nip in the air. Fields lie fallow, awaiting spring. She walks purposefully across the yard, her thatched-roof cottage behind her, cozy smoke rising from its stone chimney. She lifts a heavy door, and…

The Food of French St. Martin – Part 2, Mardi Gras

With all the swirling sights and thumping beats of the Marigot Mardi Gras crew bands and trucks, I was somewhat distracted from the food offerings…       Nevertheless, several parade vendors caught my eye…   I loved the way all these snacks were stuffed into a shopping cart:     And the way this…

The Food of French St. Martin – Part 1, Dining Out

There are so many amazing places to eat in French St. Martin – I thought I’d share a few of my favorite spots with you. Coco’s on Orient Beach is my first pick for breakfast. The café au lait is just to my liking, and the omelets are light and fluffy. The view’s not half bad…