Gramma Hoole’s Slumgullion

This is the ultimate comfort food and relatively easy to make. This is a bit different from the other Slumgullion recipes online. Implements Large frying pan or dutch oven Sharp knife Can opener Measuring cups (For noodles) a pot to cook a standard size package of noodles (For rice) a rice cooker or a pot […]

Notes from a SEMI-NEW Painter

I started painting with acrylics, mostly abstract textures and colors, in 2020. I’m finally signed up to take art classes in January. But I’ve spent a couple years watching art videos on YouTube–everything from the history of the various art movements, deep-dives into specific artists, and videos simply watching people paint and observing their process. […]

Femmes de la créme

When people ask me what my favorite subject is to photograph, they usually expect me to say “weddings” or “food” (the two things I’m most known for). But honestly, it is “women.” I’m not sure why, but I think that being a person who is not comfortable in front of the camera (which is why […]

The Ugly Pumpkin Pie

On Thanksgiving, I did most of the cooking and my sis-in-law brought desserts. It’s her turn to cook the main meal on Christmas Eve, and so I will bring the desserts. (We trade off.) Anyway, she brought two pies from our favorite pie place in Seattle: A la Mode Pies. There was a Holiday Pumpkin […]

Stoofvlees Met Frieten

(Les Carbonades Flamandes or Flemish Beef and Beer Stew with Fries) This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. Implements Knife Large pan Dutch oven Bottle opener Ingredients 4 pounds boneless beef, such as chuck, cut into 1″ or 2″ cubes Salt and pepper 2 or 3 TB all-purpose flour 4 TB (half stick) butter […]

Gourmet Mac & Cheese

Implements Large (3 or 4-quart) baking dish Whisk Pot for boiling pasta Strainer Deep sauce pan or Dutch oven Ingredients 16 oz. elbow macaroni, cooked (or other tubular pasta) 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 6 tbsp unsalted butter 1/3 cup all purpose flour 3 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy whipping cream 4 cups […]

Thanksgiving Pot Pie

This is my new favorite way to serve Thanksgiving leftovers. Step 1: Make a pie crust. (I make my grandfather’s Never Fail Pie Crust which is similar to this recipe, except that I use butter or leaf lard instead of shortening.)Step 2: Preheat your oven to 400F.Step 3: Butter and flour a spring-form pan or […]

Ode to Red, White and Blue

This was written by my Granny a few years before she died. She was an excellent writer and that is no doubt where I learned my love of writing, penmanship, calligraphy, and reading. All things she cherished and taught me about at a young age. Proud to Be an American I’m a fanatical, loyal, flag […]

Ken’s Carrot Cake

This is my grandfather’s recipe and has absolutely ruined me for any other carrot cake. The things that are unique are that the cake itself is very chunky–loaded with ingredients like carrots, pineapple, coconut, walnuts, etc.–and that the frosting is chunky too as it has walnuts in it. It’s extremely rich, so small portions are […]

Sourdough Baguettes

This has several dough-resting times and 9 steps to this recipe. Don’t try and fast-track this process; it won’t be the same if you don’t allow your dough to do its thing and mature throughout the day. The whole process takes around 7 hours–most of it passive–so plan ahead. Implements Kitchen scale Two medium bowls […]