Monthly Archives: January 2012

MEATLESS MONDAY CHARRED CARROTS & COUSCOUS

Posted on January 30, 2012 by thesolitarycook

I was already thinking carrots when I came across a blog post by Sarah, of the beautiful Casa Yellow blog (casayellow.com).  She tells a very evocative story of charred carrots – think way beyond a gentle roast – that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrées, Meatless Monday, RECIPES, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

HOW I SPENT MY SATURDAY NIGHT

Posted on January 29, 2012 by thesolitarycook

A good, good friend was craving pizza.  She was in the right place at the right time.  I had a batch of dough waiting to be stretched and patted and topped and baked. We topped it with wonderful Italian tuna … Continue reading →

Posted in Breads & Pizzas, Entrées, RECIPES, STORIES | Tagged , | 6 Comments

WEEKEND PIZZA: THE DANCER THAT PIZZA BUILT

Posted on January 27, 2012 by thesolitarycook

THE DANCER THAT PIZZA BUILT The daughter had been in Florence for a month last summer before I joined her there. She was getting by on the 10,000 calorie a day dancer’s diet, a major component of which was pizza. … Continue reading →

Posted in Breads & Pizzas, Entrées, RECIPES, STORIES, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

INFORMATION FRIDAY

Posted on January 27, 2012 by thesolitarycook

As interesting and fulfilling it has been to have finally gotten around to starting the blog I’ve been threatening to write for well over a year, I am realizing that it needs some organization to it.  Something of a routine. … Continue reading →

Posted in INFORMATION FRIDAY | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

LEFTOVER SOUP

Posted on January 26, 2012 by thesolitarycook

It’s not the soup that is leftover, you understand, but rather some ingredients.  I couldn’t think of a way to say that in a title of reasonable length.  A title should give a hint, not give away the whole story. … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrées, Meats, RECIPES, Soups | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

SCALLION-CORN MUFFINS

Posted on January 26, 2012 by thesolitarycook

It isn’t that I don’t have a sweet tooth.  I do; just not all the time.  I had a tiny rant a while ago about ubiquitous banana-berry smoothies (January 13 post:  Luck Times 3).  I mean, enough already.  Give me … Continue reading →

Posted in Quick Breads, RECIPES, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

A WHOLE NEW KITCHEN: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW BURRITO

Posted on January 24, 2012 by thesolitarycook

A friend of mine is in the process of moving back into her kitchen post-remodel.  She did the design work herself, and what a job she did!  The colors, the textures, the surfaces, the hidey-holes – it’s beautiful and oh … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrées, RECIPES, STORIES, Vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

RUSTIC ITALIAN BREAD

Posted on January 22, 2012 by thesolitarycook

So you pulled your preferment ( also known as a biga, Jan 21 post: Let’s Bake!) out of the fridge this morning, right?  Before we jump into kneading, let me explain a few things. The first thing you’ll want to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Breads & Pizzas, RECIPES | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

Posted on January 22, 2012 by thesolitarycook

Let me say straight off that I am not a gadget person.  That said, there are a few tools I consider essential to getting anything done in a kitchen, not just baking.  They’re multi-purpose and simply make many tasks easier. … Continue reading →

Posted in DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

LET’S BAKE! RUSTIC ITALIAN BREAD

Posted on January 21, 2012 by thesolitarycook

Remember that David Bowie song, “Let’s Dance?”  His sultry, purring baritone issuing an invitation you wouldn’t dream of turning down?  Call me strange, but that’s the lure that baking has for me.  And aren’t weekends just made for baking?  Especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Breads & Pizzas, RECIPES | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments