Category Archives: Family Life

Of Sweet Onion Jam and Patriarchal Hegemony

Posted on March 9, 2014 by madamescientist

What, you may justifiably wonder, does onion jam have to do with the patriarchal hegemony? Nothing, of course. Unless, you count yourself as a member of my mad menagerie. Still, if you’re looking for some delicious comfort food that’s out … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Family Life, FOOD, Humor, Vegetarian | Tagged | 5 Comments

Strawberry Scones and Civili-Tea: A Pragmatist’s Valentine

Posted on February 13, 2013 by madamescientist

Ours is a pragmatic partnership. A marriage made by matchmakers. Social, economic and educational equity? Check. Common Genetic Pool? Yes, his grandmother and mine are cousins once removed. Horoscopes matched? Expeditiously ignored, unless the meeting does not go well in … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Family Life, FOOD, Humor, Spices, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Guilty Baker: Orange-Cranberry Mini Muffins

Posted on December 1, 2012 by madamescientist

Just as procrastination inspires industrious bouts of housecleaning, guilt brings out the baker in me. I had been flying solo all week, while my husband basked in Florida on some pretext of simulating NASA satellite software (why couldn’t the tests … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Family Life, FOOD, Humor | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Practically Perfect Pilaf

Posted on June 1, 2012 by madamescientist

When my children were little, of an age that believed that mothers had eyes in the back of their heads, I was (like Mary Poppins) “practically perfect in every way”. While those days have passed forever, there are still some … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, FOOD, Humor, Indian food, Spices | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Chickpeas for Comfort: Spicy Channa Masala

Posted on April 13, 2012 by madamescientist

Have you ever been transported back in space and time, to a place now lost to you forever, by a jog to the senses: word, a sight or taste? For me, a simple Channa Masala brings back memories of chilly … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, FOOD, Indian food, Spices | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Bitter is Better: Fabulous Fenugreek Leaves

Posted on February 5, 2012 by madamescientist

Triumphantly, I produced my find of the day, Trigonella foenum-graecum, much like a conjurer hopes to elicit oohs and ahhs for pulling the proverbial rabbit out of a hat. It was a perfect specimen, clover –like leaves of pale green, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, FOOD, Herbs, Humor, Indian food, science, Spices | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Let the Turkey Trot: Stuffed, Spiced Whole Cauliflower

Posted on December 31, 2011 by madamescientist

“I can’t run in the Turkey Trot”, my 7 year old daughter looked up at me, anxiety writ all over her chubby face. She was referring to the annual Thanksgiving race, when hundreds of children were released from elementary school … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, FOOD, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Blueberries, lemons and a mother’s kiss in spring…

Posted on November 27, 2011 by madamescientist

My muffins are really made from all these things (with apologies to Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood). When my daughter announced excitedly that she found her favorite Maryland Utz potato chips in a specialty store in Northampton, Massachusetts, my heart … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, FOOD, Humor | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A momentary lapse of reason

Posted on August 7, 2011 by madamescientist

Sometimes you have to channel your inner meanness. Yes, you heard right. Sometimes, it is tactically effective being sharply sarcastic and overtly grumpy so that people around you prudently retreat (to the movies, in this specific instance), thus giving you … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, FOOD, Humor | Tagged , , | 6 Comments