Before going to New York the other day, I looked for new and upcoming eateries in the Columbia-Barnard area. One that caught my eye was Panino Sportivo, which is located beneath Barnard College’s Plimpton Residence Hall in an area that once held rundown and rarely frequented ethnic eateries.

For starters, just seeing people at this restaurant was a good sign to me. There were people coming and going, and a number of tables filled in the small space. That’s a huge improvement from the restaurants that filled those spots when I was a Plimpton resident five years ago.

Looking at the menu, it was difficult to choose just one sandwich. There are so many varied and unique combinations. The Arzu, for instance, combines smoked ham, goat cheese and pesto. The Andrea on the other hand has sliced Bartlett pears, brie cheese, arugula, toasted pine nuts and honey. I chose to try to the Ronaldo, which features Parma proscuitto, mozzerella di Bufala, tomato and extra virgin olive oil.

It was delightful. The flavors blended and melded together in such a glorious fusion that I couldn’t believe my mouth. It was creamy and savory all at once…Oh I am salivating just remembering it. I wholeheartedly recommend this place.

This originally appeared on Cucina Bella Reviews.

Everyone who cooks has a book that they consider their go-to, their trusted tome, their bible of cooking . . . for me, that is Betty Crocker’s Cookbook (note: the link goes to the latest edition, not the one I have since it’s several years old).

My copy of this cookbook is dog-eared from usage and some of the pages stick together . . . okay, there is a whole section of the index that is completely and permanently bound together. Regardless, it has helped me learn how to cook a variety of dishes from a delicious low-fat alfredo to confections. The how-to guides throughout teach about different cuts of meat, identifying herbs and vegetables and how to cook them all. Want to see some recipes I’ve made from this book? Check out my vanilla frosting and my chocolate ganache. You can see the pictures here and here.

What’s your trusted tome?

On a sidenote, if you are looking for a gift for a mom in your life, check out Motherhood is Not for Wimps: No Answers, Just Stories. I’ve been reading this woman’s blog for a year now and she is hilarious. I totally recommend buying the book.

I got a little nostalgic yesterday while driving home from Christmas shopping with my son and ended up driving by the house I lived in for much of my life. I also passed by, on the way, some of the many places I used to go to with my family and schools I attended. It’s funny. I haven’t lived there in 10 years, but my old house – despite the cars I didn’t recognize – still felt like home. And the whole area was like it had stood still in time. Someday I would love to live there again . . . to truly go home.

This whole reminiscing session brought me back to thinking of one of my favorite cookbooks: COOKING WITH FRIENDS. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I love this gimmicky book very much.

Meshed in with the dialogue excerpts and photos, there are some great recipes. I bought this when I was in high school (after I had moved away from the home that I mentioned earlier, though my grandfather still lived there) and vividly remember making Rachael’s Peanut Butter Cookies with my best friend in the middle of the night once . . . I still love those cookies (check back later this week, as I will be making a batch and sharing the recipe then).

But what I remember the most is all the laughs I’ve shared over the years while cooking or eating some of the dishes in the book. For instance, while my female friends and I love . Geller’s Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes, I made it for a male friend of mine once and still hear about “that awful sundried tomato pasta.” No matter how many other wonderful things I have made that he’s eaten, it’s that pasta that still gets talked about.

So while the show may have come and gone, the cookbook continues to delight like reruns late at night . . .

Check out what I wrote about it in a review earlier this year.

I love books. All kinds of books. Teen angst dramas, crime thrillers, classics, travel books, parenting books . . . but especially, especially cookbooks. And while I typically don’t cook often from cookbooks, I love to read them for tips, trends and ideas.

The photo above is my cookbook library . . . there actually are more, but those are the ones that A) fit into my bookcase and B) aren’t hidden in kitchen or bathroom or dining room closets. Or on top of the bookcase for that matter.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to be highlighting some of my favorite cookbooks of all time. Follow along . . . you might just see something you’d like to read too.

I’ve read all about Penzeys at my fellow bloggers’ sites. And everyone RAVES about them for their great spices and whatnot. I checked them out online and was impressed with the prices so I intended on ordering, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

You can imagine my pleasure and surprise recently when I was driving in Norwalk, Conn., on my way to the bank and I saw – in the brick and mortar – a Penzeys staring me down. It was before they were open so I couldn’t stop right then, but I made a mental note to drop in on my way home that night just to check it out.

Did I go back? You bet your sweet kettle I did!

I didn’t plan on buying much. Really. But there I was, surrounded by seasonings and spices that met my every need. I couldn’t resist the temptation and began filling my basket with little jars. Yes, I was seduced by the spices . . .

One of the best things about the store though was the staff, who were so friendly and helpful. Having worked in the retail industry for more years than I care to remember, I really appreciate a store associate who takes the time to ask NICELY if you need her and one who smiles. A smile goes a very long way.

In any case, here’s the swag:

So far, we’ve used the mulling spices in hot cider (mmmmmm!), the crystallized ginger in cranberry chutney (mmmmmmm!) and the Chicago Steak Seasoning on steak (triple mmmmmm!). I can definitely see what all the fuss is about.

The moral of the story? Penzeys has storefronts! And if there isn’t one in your area, you can still order online.