Sliced Tate Bakes

I like different varieties of potatoes and enjoy serving them in small portions. More of an accent on the plate. These were to go with super thin slices of steak and French green beans…but it did not happen. To my surprise, I served these up and my sister would not eat them. She said they looked liked snails and actually made a face and pushed them away quickly. She was really turned off by the look of them. They say we eat with our eyes first…well, in this case…it was a total turn off to her.

By contrast, I love the look of them and thought she would enjoy a different presentation of potatoes. Purple potatoes are not everyones top choice and this may have added to her no thank you grimace.

She ended up making her own potatoes.
Instant, from a box.


Everyone has their own taste preferences and as a cook you have to honor that. So, if your kids won't eat something, or an adult dislikes certain foods, or an unusual presentation, it's okay. Fortunately, I enjoy the process of cooking and tucking some love inside. Even if someone does not want it, the effort is not wasted. Love is what cooking is all about. Even if it comes from a box.

Kitchen Essentials. The New Food Lover's Companion is a Must Have!

This is a book I can't live without. It's pages are well worn with loving reverence and deep appreciation for Sharon Tyler Herbst. This week I went to get a copy for a friend. The fifth edition is written by both Sharon and her husband Ron Herbst and includes many updates. 500 new international listings including Persian and South American Foods, an extensive breakdown of food labels and nutritional facts, and updated information for hundreds of existing entries. I have Sharon's obituary tucked in to my copy and have it here to share a little bit more about this wonderful woman and her contribution to the world of food. This month marks eight years, and I post this as a thank you to Ron for keeping this all alive. Forever grateful!

Clean Plate Club Sticks and Stacks

I don't usually cook for parties but a friend needed help over the holiday's at the very last minute. And, I mean the very last minute. Both over Christmas and for New Year's Eve. So, I went and did the shopping, and then on to chopping and cooking for a relatively unnumbered amount of people. It was an open house. Add to that, there was hardly any room in the fridge. It was no easy task. We stacked the party plates with kindling wood to give some rise in the minimal space. This little trick was one of the most interesting things that came out of this event. So, if you find yourself in a bind, and are short on space…try it. Use some clean, new kindling that you can find at your local grocer. They are about one inch square and a foot long. It's a bit of a quick fix and you do have to be careful when placing the plates, but it works. If you need a higher rise you can tie two sticks together with string or use a good rubber band to secure them. If the sticks are too long you can either saw them shorter, or slightly angle them. I did not attend the party, but my friend sent me a text saying it all went well. This is one of the after party shots…sorry I did not think to take an image of the sticks and stacks, I had no idea I would be writing about it…it really is a great solution!