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Category Archives: FOOD
Red, White and Grape: From Jumping Genes to Wrapping Leaves for Dolma
Red or White? Even King Tutankhamun (1332-1322 B.C.) prudently stashed away amphorae of both red and white wines to enjoy in the afterlife. Biochemically, a single class of pigments found in grape skin, the anthocyanins, separates the red from white. White … Continue reading
Posted in FOOD, Garden, Middle Eastern, science, Spices, Vegetarian
Tagged anthocyanins, dolma, grape leaves, Greek, jumping gene, rice stuffing
2 Comments
Falafel Faves and Favism
Start with dry chickpeas. Fresh bought works best (save those fossilized pellets from the back of your pantry for ammunition in case of squirrel invasion). Soak the chickpeas overnight in generous excess of water and they will reward you by becoming pleasingly plump and doubling in quantity. One cup dry chickpeas should be plenty, two will feed a crowd. Continue reading
Posted in FOOD, Humor, Middle Eastern, science, Travel, Vegetarian
Tagged baba ganouj, Chickpeas, Falafel, Fava beans, Favism
10 Comments
Of Sweet Onion Jam and Patriarchal Hegemony
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
Diwali: Then and Now
⌘ Picture a little girl, shaken awake in the pre-dawn darkness by her mother, shivering before a “head bath” with a pail of steaming hot water from the big copper water heater in the kitchen. Squeaky clean, her hair dried … Continue reading
Posted in Diwali, FOOD, Indian food, Vegetarian
Tagged beaten rice, breakfast, Diwali, indian food, poha
4 Comments
Springing into Green: Collards and Chard
There is a brief window in spring when my Maryland garden is lushly verdant. When the so-called lawn springs joyously forth, requiring Benny and his boys to mow maniacally over it every five days. When the bunnies boldly brave the … Continue reading
Posted in FOOD, Garden, Indian food, Spices, Vegetarian
Tagged collard greens, dal and greens, David Austen roses, Maryland garden, spring garden, Swiss chard
10 Comments
Test Driving a Tagine
Tagine. The very word conjured up a magical mirage of Marrakesh and Casablanca, dashing Berbers and belly dancers, hookahs and saffron-laced spicy stews. I gazed at the overpriced albeit charming hand painted glazed clay artifact in the Williams Sonoma store, … Continue reading
Posted in FOOD, Garden, Moroccan cooking, Spices, Vegetarian
Tagged spices, spring, tagine
2 Comments
Fun With Furans: Making Flat Bread with Fenugreek
The first reports of a strangely seductive aroma wafting over Manhattan, Queens and nearby New Jersey began in 2005. People smelled maple syrup, which got them fantasizing over pancakes and waffles. No doubt, the local Denny’s did brisk business. But … Continue reading
Posted in FOOD, Herbs, Indian food, science, Uncategorized, Vegetarian
Tagged aroma compounds, Fenugreek leaves, flat bread, methi paratha, sotolan
10 Comments
Strawberry Scones and Civili-Tea: A Pragmatist’s Valentine
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 masala chai, spice tea, strawberry scones, Valentine's Day
18 Comments
The Venial Vegetarian: With Apologies to Asians
It was back in the eighties and the young Chinese waiter must have stepped off the boat just as I had, with a hope for material or mental advancement in the promised land of America. I chose my favorite noodle … Continue reading
Posted in Asian food, FOOD, Humor, Travel, Vegetarian
Tagged Bok choy, noodle salad, stir fry, sushi ginger, tofu
6 Comments
From Protein Folding to Punjabi Pea Paneer
Making fresh Indian cheese, or paneer, used to be a bit of a production in my home. My mother would start with not-so-fresh milk (why “waste” good milk, was her reasoning), bring it to a boil and then add lemon … Continue reading
Posted in FOOD, Humor, Indian food, Matar Paneer, science, Spices
Tagged Mattar paneer, paneer, protein, vegan curry, vegan gravy
11 Comments
madame scientist's not-so-mad musings 