Pam Anderson's Blog, page 71

Beer Bread for Saint Patrick's Day

Irish soda bread is traditionally made with baking soda and buttermilk but we think this beer bread–with beer and baking powder standing in for the buttermilk and baking soda–feels pretty appropriate, too. One thing's for sure. This bread is very easy to make. You can use whatever kind of beer you'd like. Since the bread...

A Taste of NYC (plus a sweet giveaway!) – WINNER POSTED

Two of my dearest friends are visiting this week. They've flown from quite a distance for us to be together: one from Oxford, England and another from Sydney, Australia. And as fate would have it, my husband happens to be out of town for the next two weeks, so the timing is perfect. We're having...

A Taste of NYC (plus a sweet giveaway!)

Two of my dearest friends are visiting this week. They've flown from quite a distance for us to be together: one from Oxford, England and another from Sydney, Australia. And as fate would have it, my husband happens to be out of town for the next two weeks, so the timing is perfect. We're having...

Potlucky

At almost exactly this time last year, I wrote a post called "Potluck-less" about my fear of, disdain for, and frustration with potluck suppers. I bemoaned the wiggly Jello salads, the endless casseroles, and the overly-full-yet-unsatisfied feeling left in my tummy by such a weird collage of foods consumed in one sitting. But recently, Maggy...

Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

Makes a 2 generous cups 1 1/4 pounds premium roasted nuts 1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Roast nuts on a rimmed baking sheet large enough for them...

Dessert? Cheese Please

Years ago, cheese was just one of the many courses I served up at long luxurious dinner parties. Now I seem to have less time for long evenings of fine food and drink, or maybe I'm trying to eat a little simpler these days. In any case, I'm not  likely to sandwich a rich cheese...

Flatbread "Plates" for Cheese

Serves 6 1 cup bread flour, plus extra for dusting 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup warm water, plus extra if necessary 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Mix flour and salt in a food processor. Mix water and oil and pour over flour mixture....

Doughnuts Made Easy

Doughnuts have something of a hallowed place in our family history. Mom and Dad would never let us eat something so decadent on a regular basis, but it was our tradition to stop for warm drinks and a few doughnut holes before every long car trip. Maggy and I would always gobble ours in 30...

Fig Cookie FAIL

Lately, things have been going pretty well for me in the kitchen. So, with culinary karma apparently on my side, I decided to try my hand at making cucidati—Italian fig cookies. Basically, they're Fig Newtons on steroids (and without the preservatives). These little guys are amazing: rich tender cookie on the outside, with soft, spiced...

Cucidati (Italian Fig Cookies)

Makes about 4 dozen cookies. This recipe is adapted from Nick Malgieri. I've taken some liberties with the filling; so if you'd like a more traditional recipe, see this. If your dried figs are hard, place them in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring them to a boil. Drain the figs and allow them...