Here we go, folks. I decided that in honor of the final episode, I would try something I have never done before: live blogging . . . Warning, if you haven’t seen the episode, this will be a spoiler. Read the rest of this entry…

The longer I cook, the more I find that I have certain go-to recipes that are as ingrained in my repertoire as number 2 pencils in a school child’s pencil bag. They are my tried and trues, my favorites, my without-thinking creations. My tried and trues can be made without fuss or muss, because they’ve become my happy cooking habits.

Among those tried and trues is my recipe for raspberry white chocolate muffins. I first had this combination in delicious, but short-lived, raspberry white chocolate scones from Dunkin Donuts about four years ago. I loved the combination and shortly after found the muffin form at Big Y. A few years back, unable to find either the scone or the muffin, I set out to develop my own version . . . this is the result of that. Read the rest of this entry…

It’s almost that time. Father’s Day is less than a week away. Scrambling for a gift yet?

Well, stop-scrambling and get buying! There are a lot of great options out there for the eco-friendly dad. Over the next three days, I will tell you about some of the coolest, Earth-conscious gifts you can find.

Today, I’m highlighting a few TLC items for the hardworking pops in your life.

1. Goatboy soaps – These all-natural soaps are made from goat’s milk in Connecticut. The small batch process all started in an attempt to help the owner’s son have a soap that didn’t irritate his ultra-sensitive skin. And they come in a variety of manly scents too. The soap is supposed to be great for dry or irritable skin (it’s working for me, so far). Available online and at some farmer’s markets in Connecticut including the Sandy Hook Village Farmer’s Market on Sunday.
2. Every Man Jack Beginner’s Luck Kit – It’s surprising how much comes in the Every Man Jack Beginner’s Luck Kit. Shave gel, face wash, face lotion, body wash, and three body bars — plus a small bag to hold it all. The scent? A fierce mint. The products are made from vegetable extracts, not chemicals and things you cannot pronounce. Each container has it’s own wacky question like “Will this make me look like a model?” and tongue in check answer “Sure — if you are one.” They also each say “Please recycle.” Take it as a good sign . . . men’s face care with a conscience. Available at Target and through the link above. See above for a photo
3. 100% Recycled Envirope Hammock – After a hard day of yard work, there is nothing more relaxing than laying in a nice hammock and reading a good book. This white hammock is 100% recycled and comes mostly from old soda bottles. Get the family size so the kids can climb on with dad too . . . You know . . . Hop on Pop. Available online.

Check back tomorrow for more gift ideas . . .

Well, I caught both episodes — or most of them — on Sunday.

I’m going to keep this one very brief, only because I am short on time . . .

It was no surprise that Cory went home during week 1. I think she had a great opportunity to blend her comedy and cooking but missed the boat. If you read the interview she did for The Well Fed Network, it’s really not that surprising. I would think someone with her media experience, she could come up with a few more words. Or did she respond like that because she was the first to go?

Likewise, it’s wasn’t a big surprise when Kevin went during week two. He has good intentions, but wasn’t honing his hook well. Sorry, buddy, there is nothing sexy about a smear of melted mozz on a crostini with figs . . . chocolate, strawberries, champagne, oysters . . . those are sexy. A well-dressed salad can be sexy too.

I love that Shane is so young. He needs to work a bit on his presentation though.

Kelsey has a lot of energy . . . not sure yet whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Cooking in heels? I just don’t find that interesting. But Lisa does have good stage presence . . . she should lose the doo-rag though.

And Nipa’s “I can’t do this anymore.” Um, drama? She has a great idea for a show . . . but the drama was a little bit of a turnoff. I would hate for Food Network to keep her in the game just because of her idea . . . A show about Indian cuisine would be awesome. She doesn’t have to be the one to deliver it though.

Thoughts?

It’s Friday . . . an ugly Friday, but Friday nonetheless. It sounds like it will be a wickedly bad weekend weather-wise, so that may further delay the finishing touches of my very cool raised bed garden . . . Sigh.

Here’s a few things I wanted to share:
First, I am not a chef, I am a cook. But for Mother’s Day last month, my husband did something that made me feel like one . . . if only for a moment: He gave me two chefs coats and two absolutely fantastic Global knives. Now I am all ready for my stint on Top Chef . . . or maybe Hell’s Kitchen. Actually, given the choice, I would just love my own Food Network show. Food Network, are you listening? I’ll even promise to drop that pesky baby weight!

Anyway, back to my very cool coats . . . They even have Sarah’s Cucina Bella embroidered on them . . . how awesome is that? Of course I am afraid to get either dirty (one is black, one is white). Thoughts? How do you keep these coats crisp and clean? Should I wear my apron with it?

As for the knives, I have only cut myself a few times with the ridiculously sharp blades . . . knock on wood.

Second, Top Chef is almost over. I have really, really loved the discussions that have popped up in the comments and would love to keep that going. I was thinking of blogging the Next Food Network Star — which started last week (I missed the first episode, sadly . . . but hope to catch it this weekend.). Thoughts? Would you all tune in for that? Or is there another show? Any other ideas?

Have a great weekend . . . I am taking this one off.

I am so disappointed.

This elimination was a nail biter. Antonia undercooked those beans (couldn’t you just read the subtext of “how long did you soak these beans for?”). Lisa has been a bottom two dweller since . . . well for the whole run. Could Lisa actually make it through another week?

Yes. Yes, she could. I am aghast. I am shocked. Lisa is going to the finale. Antonia is not.

Seriously. How could Lisa make it through? Why don’t the judges notice — or acknowledge — that she’s at the judge’s table week after week. Problem? Definitely. Something is just not right here. And her little gripe-session about Richard and Stephanie not congratulating her? Pathetic. Why hadn’t she just gone home?

Meanwhile, one of my favs, Antonia, packs her knives. The injustice.

Regarding the episode: I loved how Stephanie thought on her feet after the pork belly problem. She really pulled out three good looking plates. And Richard (who’s a new dad!) brought his best game too.

Lisa’s reaction when Padma announced that Stephanie would be choosing the sous chefs (prize for winning the Quickfire) was absolutely priceless. We were laughing out loud . . .

Butchering the pig . . . ehh. That would be the breaking point for me. Not sure I could hack it (no pun intended) in the competition with that challenge.

Onto the finale.

EDITED TO ADD: Check out pics of Richard’s adorable baby girl here. No wonder he’s been waxing poetic about “little Blais” babies this season . . . Her name is Riley.

We should be outraged.

Gas has risen from the mid-$2 range one year ago to the mid-$4 range now. Ten years ago, gas hovered at the $1 mark. My, how things change. When I bought my car, $10 got me almost a full tank. Now, it gets me barely two gallons.

Blame it on whomever you want: oil refineries, gas companies, foreign companies, lawmakers . . . who’s to blame is of little matter.

What matters is that we’ve been bamboozled into feeling comfortable living a little farther from the office for better schools and accepting that strawberries can be purchased in December. We’ve been tricked into embracing larger vehicles to accommodate our children and pets and whatever else we need for a day trip or weekend away. Meanwhile, we’ve been complacent about developing alternative technologies that could power our lifestyles without raping Mother Earth.

So now, we’re stuck. Unlike 75 or 100 years ago, when people still knew how to grow their own food and could handle long walks to town, we’ve been birthed and raised into a society powered by fossil fuels. How can we change, and change fast, to protect ourselves, our families, our lives?

You are affected whether you drive or not. Something has to power the machine that makes those solar panels. Something has to fuel that truck that carts the produce to market. Something has to heat that plant that makes and packages that pasta. And the more that something costs, the more people will hurt.

Are you hurting yet?

We should be outraged that legislation to help deliver some relief from the high-costs has failed in Connecticut. We should be outraged that there are large parts of the United States that lack adequate public transportation. We should be outraged that the price of gas here is impacted heavily by futures trading — a fantasy game with our wallets that makes players rich and pawns like the rest of us poor. We should be outraged that the best lawmakers can come up with is saying there is no quick fix.

While we spend billions on an unpopular war — another country’s civil war, at that — and let thousands of our sons and daughters die, we are hurting on the homefront. How much longer can our country afford to hurt like this?

Perhaps the biggest question of all is: What are we going to do about it?

We love fish — well, Will and I do at least. Shawn? Not so much. But that’s okay. We tend to eat it when he has to work late, since fish is such a great source of nutrition.

Mahi mahi is one of my favorites, but it can be quite pricey, so pick some up when it’s on sale (it was last week!) and try this. The crunchy and moist coconut topping is fabulous with the firm, but light, white fish. Serve with a fruited salsa — Mango Salsa, perhaps. Read the rest of this entry…