The Mom 100

In this recipe Parmesan cheese is sort of a co-star to the roasted Brussels Sprouts. The dish is amazingly complex for being so simple—and that is the true beauty of Parmesan. When I am in possession of a large amount of Parmesan cheese I feel like all is right with the world. It is just one of the world’s best and most versatile cheeses. In large quantities it shines with its assertive flavor. In small quantities it elevates dishes, and because it’s salty I almost feel like it’s also a seasoning at times.   How Do I Use Parmesan Cheese? …

If you say the words Devil’s Food Cake in front of some people, their eyes will noticeably light up and their chins will lift as though they are ready to spring into action. It’s just one of those cakes with a true and devoted fan base, and if you’ve ever had good Devil’s Food Cake, you surely understand why.   What is Devil’s Food Cake? For starters yes, it’s a chocolate cake. But what makes Devil’s Food Cake Devil’s Food Cake? The most basic answer is that it’s made with cocoa powder, which is intensely chocolately, and always contains baking …

I know the title is braggy, and I’m sorry, but this Streusel Apple Pie deserves as much hyperbolic praise as it can get. The apples are blanketed and bound up with a custardy coating, and a thick layer of sweet, crumbly streusel topping makes this like an amazing apple crisp in a pie crust.  It’s the best apple pie topping ever (says me).   Also, streusel is a highly enjoyable word to say. The Ultimate Thanksgiving Apple Pie I make three of these every year for Thanksgiving, and have for many, many years.  Thanksgiving is always at my parents’ house, usually …

When the boys were little, during the summer there were a bunch of families from the kids’ school that all spent some weekend and vacation time in lower part of Litchfield country in Connecticut.  There were 5 families, all with kids about the same age (Charlie’s year connected all of the families, I had one older child, and there were a smattering of kids in the group trailing down in years to toddler-age).  It was a happy circumstance to be near one another, and the result was many, many an outdoor gathering.   We hosted often.  My memories of this time …