Hosting a Super Bowl? Going to a party or bar to enjoy? Hunkering down in your man cave? I'm going to Broadway. I don't really care which team wins this year's Super Bowl nor do I enjoy watching grown men giving each other brain injuries as much as I used to. I was fortunate to … Continue reading My Super Bowl plans
Food
National Croissant Day!
Today is National Croissant Day, one of my favorite food groups. Not those mass market imitations but fresh made by a local bakery who knows what they are doing. While we recognize this delicate pastry as a French product it was apparently invented in Vienna and the shape derives from the Islamic crescent after a … Continue reading National Croissant Day!
National Peanut Brittle Day
Today is National Peanut Brittle Day. One of my secret little passions. I don't eat it often but a good batch is heaven. Just peanuts and sugar but oh, so good. I can recommend the peanut brittle of The Sweet Shop at 404 East 73rd Street in New York (www.thesweetshopnyc.com). They have several variations and … Continue reading National Peanut Brittle Day
National Popcorn Day
Today is National Popcorn Day! Component of Cracker Jacks, in many flavors and forms, festive and warming. One of my favorite snacks. I love it so much I invested in one of those movie theater popper units. I also have incorporated it into my Polaris North shows as part of the reception. Recently I have … Continue reading National Popcorn Day
Cherry Tomato Palooza
A few months ago I planted new cherry tomato plants in my Aerogarden device in my small New York apartment. It has started to produce at a terrific rate and so we are enjoying a bumper crop of them. They are delicious. My last plant lasted more than a year but struggled at the end. … Continue reading Cherry Tomato Palooza
National Marzipan Day
Today, January 12, is National Marzipan Day. This almond based sweet is one of my favorite flavors in the world. I get the love of this treat from my father, for whom it was also a favorite. I have found that people seem to either love marzipan or hate it. I am happy to take … Continue reading National Marzipan Day
National Spaghetti Day
Today is National Spaghetti Day and definitely my go to comfort food. Whether topped with a bolognese, puttanesca, Ameritriciana or four way Cincinnati Chili (with onions, not beans, which are an abomination on Cincy Chili, but that is fodder for a different blog post), I love it. Fortunately options for American pasta have improved exponentially … Continue reading National Spaghetti Day
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
Today is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day. If offered a shot at a box of mixed chocolates I will always shoot for the chocolate covered cherry option first. Definitely a pairing made in heaven. Ironically I am just writing about it now but this was a long standing go-to gift that Pamela would always buy … Continue reading National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
Quick review of 2017 Blog
As the new year starts, a quick look back at my blog in 2017. As you may imagine the majority of posts were about live theater, shows I saw and scripts I wrote. My favorites that I attended and are now gone in 2017: The Glass Menagerie with Sally Field - a fresh take on … Continue reading Quick review of 2017 Blog
National Bacon Day
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 30, is National Bacon Day. Sorry vegetarians. The smell of bacon on the stove is one of my all time favorites. Today it is fashionable to add bacon to all matter of things including delicious candy - the sweet and salty mix perfectly. But there is nothing like pure delicious bacon, whether … Continue reading National Bacon Day
And all through the house…
Shhh. What are you doing awake at this time? Don't you know it is Christmas Eve? Put the little ones to bed, explain to them what the heck a sugarplum is (and tell me while you are at it) and get those blessed sugarplums dancing in their heads. Sounds a little crazy. When they fall … Continue reading And all through the house…
National Eggnog Day
Sunday, December 24 is National Eggnog Day. Not surprising as it is also Christmas Eve. Fresh eggnog shows up in our grocery stores only between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. I once tried what was purported to be an eggnog recipe from the writings of George Washington. I cannot tell a lie, it was OK. … Continue reading National Eggnog Day
Graeter’s for the Holidays!
OK, I admit it. I caved and had some Graeter's ice cream delivered for the holidays. Those from Cincinnati know what this means and everyone else should learn. No exaggeration - it is the best ice cream in the world. The process for making it has remained the same since 1870. It is made and … Continue reading Graeter’s for the Holidays!
Another endorsement of meal kits
It's been a while since I sang the praises of home delivered meal kits. We prefer Home Chef, though you have several options in the market. The concept is that each week you are given a choice of menu options on their website. You pick the ones you want and they deliver a recipe card … Continue reading Another endorsement of meal kits
National Gazpacho Day!
Odd that as winter closes in someone would name today National Gazpacho day. This fresh vegetable cold tomato soup is something I associate more with summer days. But since someone went to all this trouble here is my favorite recipe: In a large bowl, mix the following: 4 cups ripe tomatoes (about 2 pounds), chopped … Continue reading National Gazpacho Day!
National Cookie Day!
Today is National Cookie Day. To many this means a chocolate chip cookie celebration. For me it is a celebration of my favorite - Snickerdoodles! I use the recipe I got from my Aunt Priscilla. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In your mixer bowl cream: 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 … Continue reading National Cookie Day!
National Pie Day
Today is National Pie Day. A sublime pie crust separates truly great pies from average pies. It must be flakey, not soggy - stand up to the filling but not be tough or chewy. People spend years mastering the technique to create the perfect pie crust. My favorite story of this comes from my ex-wife. … Continue reading National Pie Day
Thanksgiving with family and a visit to Naples, Florida
Last week I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, visiting my mom in Central Florida for a sumptuous meal. We had turkey, ham, risotto, deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, delicious roast vegetables, cheese rolls, lovely dressing and so much more. My mom will live off the left overs and share them with her neighbors for some time … Continue reading Thanksgiving with family and a visit to Naples, Florida
Happy Thanksgiving
In America we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today with parades, sumptuous dinners and sporting events. I hope that you are getting the Thanksgiving you desire. Usually I go to my favorite steak house in New York to gorge myself in my own quirky manner but today I choose to celebrate more traditionally with my mom in … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving
Homemade Tomato Soup
I believe if it is easy to make at home you are better off because you know exactly what is in it. Some recipes are complicated and ingredients rare, but keeping some simple things in your cupboard are worth it. I always keep 28 oz. cans of Marzano Tomatoes on hand and I can … Continue reading Homemade Tomato Soup
My AeroGarden Update
In past posts I have told you about the plants I grow in AeroGardens in my NYC apartment. A while back I described the cherry tomato plant that lasted more than a year and in August I gave you my recipe for Basil Pesto. The tomato plant finally stopped bearing so I replanted the Bounty … Continue reading My AeroGarden Update
National Nachos Day
Today is National Nachos Day. Nachos are one of the most abused and misunderstood foods in our canon. Too often they are sloppily and carelessly prepared. Ballparks slather runny cheese over stale chips, dump them in a souvenir batting helmet bowl and overcharge horribly for the privilege. All over New York you will find Tex-Mex … Continue reading National Nachos Day
An Atrocious National Day
If you read this blog on a regular basis you know that I periodically feature National Days where certain items or topics are celebrated. Recently we've had National Taco Day, National Coffee Day, National Pancake Day and National Waffle Day. I covered all of them on this blog. Soon we'll have National Nachos Day and … Continue reading An Atrocious National Day
National Candy Corn Day
Today is National Candy Corn Day. This is one of my favorite national days as it combines vegetables and candy. I am most thrilled that there are three flavors in every kernel. These treats are rather tasteless but then so am I. Perfect. Don't know why, but they remind me more of teeth than corn, … Continue reading National Candy Corn Day
National Pumpkin Day
Today is National Pumpkin Day. Obviously this is tied to nearby Halloween and the whole harvest autumn thing. Two notes. Celebrating a holiday in which we carve up the guest of honor into funny or scary forms is kind of weird. And now-a-days you only use pumpkin flavor from a can. When was the last … Continue reading National Pumpkin Day
Walter Thinnes 
You must be logged in to post a comment.