I am often inspired to create a menu based on what’s fresh and seasonal at the local market.  Alternatively, I may come across a recipe in a cookbook, on David Lebovitz’ blog, or via Cook’s Illustrated that is just too tantalizing to pass up.  It has happened in the past that I have been inspired to serve or make a particular beverage by the aquisition of new and interesting glassware. Case in point the four glass jugs of different batches of limoncello currently distilling in my library.  My thumb still hurts just thinking about peeling all the lemons that went into those, but who can resist adorable little vodka shooters peeking innocently out from the freezer beckoning “fill me, Linda, fill me with ginger-kumquat infused limoncello!”

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As some of you may have suspected by now, I have a wee obsession with salt.  I have a slightly larger obsession with Italian leather high heels, but my husband prefers me to cultivate the salt fixation, so here we are. It really is a fairly practical passion- much easier (both from a luggage and a pocketbook perspective) to bring back five varietals of artisanal salts in every shade of the rainbow from last January’s visit to Eataly in Torino than the same number in heels from 10 Corso Como in Milano- it was during the sales, however, so I had to push my luck and try both!

Stores like The Meadowin Portland make it easy to access the salts of the world under one roof, which is great in a pinch (pun intended), especially with some of the interesting products they have unearthed, like Himalayan Salt Slabs you can heat directly in your oven and fry eggs upon, among other uses.  With online ordering enabled, the Meadow can satisfy even the most rarefied salt craving in a matter of days, however my true pleasure lies in the hunt.  Read more

The Power of a Savory Tart in Seattle’s Waning Summer.