Today is National Garlic Day. Boy do I love garlic. Two hints, one I learned in the last year, the other a long time ago. This year I learned to make garlic chips. Thinly slice (there is a great device for this, much like a mini mandolin) the garlic cloves. Heat a shallow layer (but … Continue reading National Garlic Day
Food
Having fun with a Raclette (the device, not the cheese)
As noted here, yesterday was National Fondue Day. As it happens I had been considering getting a fondue set and looked on Amazon.com. It slid in a recommendation for something called a Raclette. I was familiar with the cheese by that name, a perfect melting cheese good for sandwiches and other applications but had never … Continue reading Having fun with a Raclette (the device, not the cheese)
National Cheese Fondue Day
Today is National Cheese Fondue Day and I am supposing that pretty much everyone here knows what fondue is. But when I was growing up in the sixties and seventies it was exotic and very special. My parents had an electric fondue kit and when it was on the dinner table it was a special … Continue reading National Cheese Fondue Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day
Today is National Chocolate Mousse Day, a serious effort in the kitchen and a seriously delicious dessert. I learned how to do it in cooking school but have not made it for quite some time. Maybe I should try again. Strap in tight, not for beginners. In a medium saucepan bring 2 inches of water … Continue reading National Chocolate Mousse Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
Yesterday was not only April Fools Day and Easter Sunday but also National Sourdough Bread Day. I have kept a sourdough starter since I first visited San Francisco two decades ago. To be clear a sourdough starter takes on the flavor of the local yeast particles (which is less scary than Yeats particles and unlikely … Continue reading National Sourdough Bread Day
National Black Forest Cake Day
I have made no secret on this blog that I, as a class, prefer pie to cake. With one notable exception. Black Forest Cake. The combination of cherries, chocolate and delicious cream changes the equation. Happy National Black Forest Cake Day. I'll be back later. I have to gain 12 pounds at one sitting. Yum. … Continue reading National Black Forest Cake Day
National Ravioli Day!
Happy National Ravioli Day - one of my favorite foods. While these delicious dough pillows can be filled with exotic flavors they are just as fine with grated cheese and ground meet. I have only tried making ravioli from scratch a few times with notably mixed success, but then there are plenty of places to … Continue reading National Ravioli Day!
National Pi Day
Today is known as National Pi Day based on the first three digits of the apparently endless stream of numbers that define the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and also coincidentally echoes today's date 3.14 (March 14th). There are endless puns comparing the circular nature of pie and the mathematical constant that … Continue reading National Pi Day
National Meatball Day
The once lowly meatball is in the spotlight today. Once a method to extend limited meat resources by adding some breadcrumbs and egg as a binder with some herbs and other flavors thrown in, it is now a culinary category. In New York you can find multiple restaurants based around the meatball. In recipes everywhere … Continue reading National Meatball Day
The Sweet Shop
While I am consulting for Sotheby's I found a wonderful neighborhood establishment. A family run enterprise at 404 East 73rd Street, come and visit The Sweet Shop. In a tiny enclave you will find a wide variety of sweet goodies, classic candies, fresh cookies and small batch ice cream. They have nearly anything you want … Continue reading The Sweet Shop
National Banana Bread Day
Today is National Banana Bread, the best way to use up those over-ripe bananas you bought earlier this week. I have several recipes but this is one of the better ones. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour only the bottom of a 9 inch loaf pan. Combine the following in a large … Continue reading National Banana Bread Day
National Cherry Pie Day
I cannot tell a lie I like my cherry pie. With flaky crust It seems I'm just a cherry pie kind of guy. In the old cake versus pie debate I land solidly into the pie camp. While I like many kinds (including fresh rhubarb) the cherry pie is my go to diner desert if … Continue reading National Cherry Pie Day
National Bagel Day
Today is National Bagel Day, a food whose origins are often debated. But there is no question there is no better bagel than one made in New York City. Many reasons are given but it is likely because of our clean unfiltered water piped in from the Catskills. In any case they are delicious. There … Continue reading National Bagel Day
National Nutella Day
Today is National Nutella Day. This delicious spread was invented in Italy after World War II when cocoa was rationed but hazelnuts were plentiful. By extending the chocolate flavor with the nut butter an irresistible treat was created. I enjoy it but do not crave it, unlike SOMEBODY who shall go unnamed. When I introduced … Continue reading National Nutella Day
My Super Bowl plans
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
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…
Walter Thinnes 
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