June 2010
2 posts
Jun 28th
18 notes
Jun 14th
20 notes
May 2010
3 posts
Such a Glamorous Life!
                                    So many exciting moments have surrounded the publishing of the I Love Trader Joe’s Cookbook.                                       Receiving that first book in my hands, a moment some of you shared with me, as it arrived during a class at Chez Cherie. My first-ever book signing, at Mayfield Junior School, with an overwhelming response for...
May 15th
3 notes
May 5th
Here’s a Cinco de Mayo treat for you—a quick, tasty, and gorgeous meaty salad from the I Love Trader Joe’s Cookbook! Tr-Tip Asada with Heirloom Tomatoes 1 Trader Joe’s Carne Asada Autentica tri-tip steak (about 1 1/2 lbs) 4 large or 8 small heirloom tomatoes 1 ripe avocado 1/2 red onion 1/4 to 1/…2 cup Trader Ming’s Sesame Soy Vinaigrette...
May 5th
April 2010
6 posts
Apr 9th
Guest Blogger...does that mean I blog?
Well-intentioned, and beloved folks—friends, family and students—have been encouraging me to blog for a few years now. Maybe I’m just lazy. Maybe I don’t want to commit to one more thing that has to be nurtured. Maybe I have this notion that I’ll be the last (wo)man standing in the universe without a blog. Whatever the reason, I have stubbornly resisted until...
Apr 9th
Apr 2nd
My Easter plans this year include absolutely no dyed eggs, and an extended writing session on book #2, The I Love Entertaining with Trader Joe’s Cookbook! We have no kids in residence this weekend—they already had their Spring Breaks, and Easter is not a big holiday around here, so we’ll be taking advantage of the long weekend to get stuff done! New schedule of classes ,...
Apr 2nd
Apr 1st
In the process of writing book #2 (somebody pinch me!!), I’m working on my food styling and photography skills. Middle son Kevin and I had a terrific time working on the photos for the first book (http://bit.ly/d0yvW), and we are looking forward to even better shots for The I Love Entertaining with Trader Joe’s book (Ulysses Press, available for purchase in time for holidays 2010)....
Apr 1st
1 note
November 2009
2 posts
Nov 10th
2 notes
Eat Your Hearts Out
That’s what we did on our Sicilian adventure! Steve (who is not in the photo, because he was taking it!) and I accompanied fifteen culinary travelers on an absolutely delectable, glorious and astounding food-venture in bella sicilia. We ate, and ate, and ate until we could literally not take another bite. Just one of our lunches, steps from the sparkling Mediterranean sea, included no less...
Nov 10th
2 notes
October 2009
2 posts
Oct 21st
Dear Vroman's:
Hello Jennifer— I’m so sorry I missed you when I was in the store this afternoon. I wanted to share a story with you about my visit, which I will never forget. I’ve been shopping at Vroman’s since I was about 4 years old…that’s a half century of books, glorious books from your wonderful store. My grandmother brought me there on special occasions — I...
Oct 21st
August 2009
1 post
Aug 1st
November 2008
5 posts
Nov 16th
Nov 16th
I don’t do cakes. No buttercream roses, no fancy frosting flourishes for me. I can bake, but I am not a baker. And I am absolutely not a cake decorator. But when your daughter has the lead in the school play—Barefoot in the Park—what are ya gonna do? Today was one of the days where, by picking up a piping bag, I was the best-mommy-ever. Break a leg, B…or bare a foot,...
Nov 16th
Nov 2nd
Olive Curing Season
About this time of year, my favorite produce market features fresh green olives for about a buck fifty per pound.  I can’t resist them, because I’d never seen them for sale anywhere before I started shopping at this place. This year I’m determined to nail the curing and brining process, and this is the first step. We’ve got about 4 lb. of gorgeous green olives, stems...
Nov 2nd
October 2008
2 posts
Oct 30th
One of my favorite cookbooks of the year a few years ago was a quirky tome titled “Bones”. The subject matter was interesting, and often overlooked, the photos were compelling (very “Donna Hay” lighting) and the writing was tasty. Now that author, Jennifer McLagan,  has a new book—“Fat”. I could not be expected to resist that, could I? Who knew all this...
Oct 30th