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The Rites of Spring, Mesopotamian Style
Spring in our part of New England is sort of springing. Two steps forward, one step back; from cool to warm and back again. Flowers are sprouting up, the promise of warmth is growing, the days are longer, and we’re…
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Bright Ideas with Citrus
When I was young, this time of year usually meant a big basket of citrus arriving from Florida, courtesy of my grandparents. For a few weeks, it was fresh orange juice in the morning and grapefruit for breakfast. No fancy…
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A Buzz with Flavor: Cooking with Bourbon
When I first moved to Boston and began cooking for others on a regular basis, one of my go-to desserts was a bourbon pie featured in the New York Times Large Type Cookbook. As I think of it, my other…
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This Spud’s For You
Spuds get no respect. I was reminded of that when, this past week, we needed a no-nonsense evening meal. A late meeting meant that we would not be dining until about 8:30, so we needed a fast repast. Thanks to…
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When Food Isn’t Your Main Event
We’re having friends over for a game night, and the evening is going to include dinner. What to eat? The meal in this case isn’t the main event; the games and the guests will be the focus, less about what…
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A Feast for the Eyes from Persia
Mediterranean cuisine is currently trendy for its healthy use of vegetables and meat. But the focus tends to be on Greece and Italy. Instead, I’ve been digging into the food of Persia – or Iran, as we know it today.…
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Snack Attack
This is the time of year when a lot of us are trying to trim some of those holiday pounds. But come mid-day, we’re often wishing for something to munch on that will satisfy a hunger craving without also contributing…
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For Vegetables, Try Pickling
For about 4,000 years, humans have been pickling their food. Before refrigerators and freezers, we needed a means to preserve vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish, so we added a preservation medium to prevent bacteria and enzymes from spoiling them. Typically,…
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Gatherings in the Storm: Potluck Extraordinaire
As I write this on a snowy Friday afternoon, schools are closed, the kids are home from school, people are staying indoors, our local movie theater is closed for the night. As I look out the window at a landscape…
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What’s For Lunch?
A long-time Farmboy reader wants some ideas for lunch. She’s often at home during the day, and she wants a lunch that’s satisfying, but doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare. Something other than canned soup. She’s like a…