Popovers are some kind of miracle. They’re what you might get if you crossed a pancake with a crescent roll, as strange as that sounds, but a better version of either, with crispy edges and a chewier texture. They’re an unfair version of “bread” with your meal because you won’t want to eat anything else on the table. And because of their otherworldly hybrid characteristics, they work just as well savory as they do sweet. I’ve made a gruyere version and I’ve made them with Parmesan and herbs, but I couldn’t help thinking how delicious these would be at brunch (Easter?!) with strawberry butter for sweeter vibes.

FoodThe PasticheMarch 9, 2016bread, rolls, popovers, butter, strawberry butter, brunch, holidays, sides, spring, summer, fall, winter Comments

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheMarch 8, 2016worthy reads, links, articles, life, psychology, relationships, politics, history, beautyComment

Quick Moroccan tomatoes and chickpeas

This is a simple, easy lunch that comes together very quickly with only a few ingredients. It's nothing fancy or complex, but with the right spice blend, it becomes a great lunch standby. I almost always have everything on hand, which is probably how this dish (and a few variations on it) came into being. All it takes is canned tomatoes and chickpeas as a base, with add-ins such as garlic, spices, spinach, kale, sharp cheese, parsley or other herbs, or topped with a fried or poached egg. It's always delicious, but also healthy and filling.

FoodThe PasticheMarch 7, 2016Moroccan, chickpeas, tomatoes, curry, lunch, make-ahead, healthy, easy, light, vegetarianComment

Mulligatawny soup

Please don't be scared away by the strange name that immediately goes to the same vault in my brain as "split pea soup" and "shepherd's pie" for some reason (even though none are anything alike—there's just so much in a name that has held a certain connotation for everyone since childhood). This soup is rich, decadent, and just delightful—you might never want regular old chicken soup ever again...

FoodThe PasticheMarch 4, 2016mulligatawny soup, soup, curry, lunch, dinner, spring, winter, chicken, chicken thighs, make-aheadComment

Spring Bucket List

Maybe it's having lived in Central and Western New York my entire life, but the changing of seasons is always a very exciting time. Sometimes the anticipation is even the best part; looking forward to feeling differently when you walk outside in the morning is a really refreshing feeling. Right?? Unsurprisingly, it's particularly true after the long cold winter months of which I will spare you the details (because you either live through it yourself or you hear those who do complain about it to no end). And even though this winter has been uncharacteristically easy peasy, 40 degrees as opposed to 4 degrees doesn’t make me crave spring any less...

Chicken, tomato, and mozz melt with basil-arugula pesto

Sometimes, you have to just let a picture speak its thousand words without adding your own thousand words below it. I think that's how I feel here. This sandwich is so, so right. Just look at it.

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 29, 2016pesto, ciabatta, sandwiches, tomatoes, mozzarella, lunch, dinner, spring, summer, chickenComment

The best Bloody Mary bar

In my tiny corner of the world, there’s not much better than a great Bloody Mary. And don’t get me wrong, I love the taste of one, but even more so, I love the Bloody Mary environment and culture, if you will (does that statement make me sound uncultured?).

The hours-long brunch with nothing else to do and nowhere else to be. The long pause and “hmmmmm” and “sure, why not” to the waitress when she sees that your glass is getting low. There’s just nothing else like it—a boozy brunch with friends or lovers or, hell, strangers even.

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheFebruary 25, 2016worthy reads, articles, links Comments

Italian stuffed mini peppers with Gorgonzola and caramelized onions

Do you have anxiety about your appetizer being chosen last from a table of options? I feel you. I really do...

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 24, 2016appetizers, peppers, sweet peppers, mini peppers, gorgonzola, cheese, stuffed peppers, Italian sausage, sausage, basil, caramelized onionsComment

Loaded broccoli salad

I’ve been back at it with make-ahead lunches after a few weeks (months?) of buying lunch on the go most days...

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 22, 2016broccoli, salad, lunch, sides, spring, summer, sesame, make-ahead Comments

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s beautiful, but slightly rough around the edges. It’s lived in. It’s equal parts ebb and flow. It’s buzzing with life, and quiet with leisure...

TravelThe PasticheFebruary 19, 2016travel, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, vacation guide Comments

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheFebruary 18, 2016articles, links, worthy reads, psychology, quizComment

Sunny side papas bravas

When you love food and you love to travel, you get all kinds of inspired when the two are combined; and if you're doing it right, the two come hand in hand. You can't possibly visit a new place or new culture without indulging in the food there, especially if the place is known for something. Enter Mexico: land of the best tacos, pico de gallo, limes, fresh fish, and ceviche, just to name the first few things that come to mind.

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 17, 2016brunch, eggs, potatoes, fingerling potatoes, papas bravas, Mexican, fried egg, breakfast, lime, sidesComment

A new mantra

During our recent trip to Mexico, 90% of our awake time was spent outdoors: laying poolside, playing on the beach, hiking, exploring the town, eating at local street meat and taco stands, dining al fresco. Even our hotel room had an entire wall of sliding doors that were open to an outside balcony. Everything about this scenario day in and day out was divine. Needless to say, the transition back into real life has been difficult (understatement of the century)...

Spicy lentil soup with Italian sausage

Things I always (weirdly) have in my cupboard: chickpeas, 14 different kinds of rice, sweetened condensed milk, and lentils. This is a result of those grocery shopping trips in which I wander down each and every aisle and robotically throw things in my cart. My thought process is something like, "Think about those times you've wanted to bake something without leaving your house and the one thing you need is sweetened condensed milk." (Has that ever even happened??) And then there are all the recipes I've made that have called for various kinds of rice—jasmine, long-grain, arborio, the list goes on. And since it seems like 1 grain of rice uncooked magically turns into 35 grains when it's cooked….my supplies are never ever depleted. My digression is leading me to a discussion of lentils.

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 15, 2016lentils, lentil soup, soup, one-pot, make-ahead, comfort food, lunch, spicy, healthy, fall, winter, dinner2015, lunch2015 Comment

Worthy Reads

PeriodicalsThe PasticheFebruary 12, 2016worthy reads, articles, links, politics, self improvement, psychology, restaurantsComment

'Galentine’s Day' Wine Party

...or a couples party.

Combining wine, cheese, and game night for the win on February 14th.

Pappardelle with wild mushroom cream

Mushrooms are a somewhat nostalgic flavor and memory-inducing thing for me...

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 10, 2016mushrooms, wild mushrooms, dinner, winter, spring, summer, fall, pasta, pappardelle, cream, parmesan Comments

Greek pitas with lamb and dill tzatziki

This is one of those weekday lunches for which noon cannot come fast enough.

*Checks clock.* *Checks clock again.* *Checks clock and IT'S STILL ONLY 10:30.*

The worst.

FoodThe PasticheFebruary 1, 2016lamb, dill, tzatziki, Greek, lunch, sandwiches, pita, healthy, make-ahead, winter, summer, fall, spring, feta, hummus, dinner2016 Comment

My teeny tiny office space

It's been a long time since I've been able to call even the smallest nook my "office" space. And to be honest, I still do most of my blogging from my couch or my bed. But I've been spending some time slowly cultivating a unique little workspace of my own—thanks to this cutest desk that Jon gave me for Christmas to be the centerpiece of it all.

I think it's bright, comfortable, tidy, and eclectic—the best combination for me.

HomeThe PasticheJanuary 29, 2016office, desk, my office space, home decor, Anthropologie, Minted, artwork, gallery wall, West Elm, cookbooks, inspiration, styleComment

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