When I was a kid growing up on the shore of Lake Ontario, we spent our winters wading through waist-deep snow, sliding down the treacherous hill by the old cheese factory and building snow people by the dozens. Winter was long and cold and white with gray edges. But when we came in from outside […]
Cooking at the Cove
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Cooking at the Cove: An elegant welcome to the new year
Let’s welcome the new year with an elegant touch and hope for the best, shall we? It can’t hurt. Whether you’re entertaining a few friends, having a cozy dinner for two or just treating yourself, make it count. Both the wrapped asparagus and the scallop dish can be made early in the day then baked […]
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Cooking at the Cove: Happy Christmas from The Cove
A few years ago I made Coq au Vin, a delicious celebratory dish for Christmas Eve. I decided to prepare it again even though I remembered it was labor intensive. On this go-round, I took it step by step, completing all the dicing and slicing ahead of time. I incorporated a hefty package of chicken […]
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Cooking at the Cove: The holidays call for a trio of Christmas cookies
I’ve told the story more than once: I used to be the Queen of Christmas Cookies, making 20 kinds or more every year. Now I make a few batches and my grown children, teenager grandchildren, my sister and my niece bake their favorites, then we all get together and share. It’s a much more sensible […]
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Cooking at the Cove: Easy recipes to get through the December rush
Shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, an evening at Gardens Aglow, a concert at the Chocolate Church, a school play, a church fair … all the December doings can add up to a whole lot of rushing around and crankiness and sleep deprivation. I’m here to advise you to take it easy on yourselves. Plan for some […]
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Cooking at the Cove: Be ready for the hygge
If memory serves me correctly, I introduced you to hygge last winter. May this week’s column serve as a reminder. This is the time of year when we Mainers may as well embrace the Danish/Norwegian word that is pronounced “hyoo·guh” and means “the mood of coziness and feelings of comfortable conviviality, wellness and contentment.” We […]
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Cooking at the Cove: Thankful for family’s favorite pies
In a departure from my usual schtick, this column is all about pies, thanks to a suggestion from one of my readers. It wasn’t difficult to decide which pies to include, either. There are others in the repertoire that appear from time to time, but these are the three standards. Each of these pies has […]
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Cooking at the Cove: Let’s be elegant
For the first time in quite a while, I invited a few friends over for Sunday dinner. It was a fine fall day and I wanted to prepare a special meal, yet keep it simple. This time of year has so much abundance – I especially like to incorporate pears, cranberries and leeks into my […]
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Cooking at the Cove: Snuggle up – it’s November
These two recipes are lovely cooking projects for a chilly, late-fall day. Braising the short ribs for this hearty shepherd’s pie takes a few hours, but this main dish is also perfect for preparing in advance or taking it in steps. You can roast the ribs a day, shred the meat and place it in […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Cooking at the Cove: Make pasta night count with fabulous fall flavors
I do love pasta, although I don’t often indulge. But when I do, I want to make it count. The tasty components of this main dish go together quickly and have some flexibility. Winter squash can sub for the potatoes, and pancetta, prosciutto or even leftover ham instead of bacon can be added to the […]