Accidental Hedonist

In talking about Lombardy, I’ve overlooked an important part of Milano culinary history: The aperitivo…or in more common language, the apéritif. Aperitifs are meal openers, whetting the appetite and opening one’s taste buds with bittersweet flavors. Campari is one such apertivo, introduced in Italy in the 1860′s by Gaspare Campari. Gaspare was a master drink [...]

The latest word on the street is that today is “Blog Day – 2005” The Purpose of BlogDay? From their website BlogDay was initiated with the belief that bloggers should have one day which will be dedicated to know other bloggers , from other countries or areas of interests. In that day Bloggers will recommend [...]

A flood wall broke and water from Lake Pontchartrain is flooding the city at an alarming rate. According to WWLTV.com, residents will probably be allowed back in town in a week, with identification only, but only to get essentials and clothing. You will then be asked to leave and not come back for one month. [...]

Some people salivate over music. Others get their passion behind literature. Me? I get all a twitter when it comes to the minutia of food facts. I realize this makes me a geek, but “geek” is a badge I will wear proudly. Here’s the key idea that you need to take away when you think [...]

I have this knack for sensing out stories that are put in the press simply to make other people look good. I’m not sure where this talent comes from, aside from my Gen X brand cynicism and a healthy disregard for authority. So when I read news stories that have the title “Lockyer Sues French [...]

Regular readers will have noticed that I’m intermittently narcissitic when it comes to writing about myself. Sometimes I have no problem in pimping myself, other times, I let what ends up being pretty important stuff, slide right on by with no mention at all. Today is one of those “It’s about me!” kinda days. A [...]

I have to admit to being a little intimidated by calamari. I’ve had too many squid dishes where the meat was rubbery and chewy. I did not want my dish to end up like that. The trick is to watch the coloring of the tentacles of the calamari. It’s pretty straight forward…as soon as the [...]

Hurricanes are horrible and devastating, regardless of where they hit. But several of the people in the links to the down and right make New Orleans their home. Be well all. While we’re waiting to see what occurs, now is as good of a time as any to help out the Red Cross. Throw some [...]

While many of the other creatures of the sea are being overharvested and in some cases are in danger on extinction, one species is actually thriving – the squid. So much so, that the number of squid on the planet are said to outnumber the amount of humans. I, for one, welcome our new squid [...]

Again, this was a comment, not a “letter”. In the comments of my post regarding the history of the Caesar Salad, Monica asks a question: Hey, what an interesting story about the Caesar salad..it reminds me of the episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” when Larry gets in a fight with someone who claims to be [...]

To those of you who are new to the site, Tasting Notes are my own reference notes. They are meant more for my future use and even my own edification than most of my other posts. Some people like these entries, others pass ‘em by. Feel free to do either. For those not hip to [...]

This dish was initially supposed to “loaf”, but the recipe I was working for gave the incorrect time n the oven, leaving me with a sort of cross between a loaf and a spoonful of Tortellini. *sigh* Oh well. It’s a decent dish, regardless. And yeah, yeah, the pic isn’t the best either. I’ve got [...]