Archive for December 2012

Sundays with Sparky: Beets Confit

Sundays with Sparky: Beets Confit
I have a confession to make: once upon a time, I HATED beets.  The only beets I had encountered were the slimy canned variety, usually served as “salad” in my childhood – oog.  Then, with Sparky’s help, I discovered beet chips – and realized there was more to these vegetables than I’d previously thought.  We also... Read more »
By QuipsTravails,
December 30, 2012 at 9:00 am • 

Policy Point Wednesday - Healthier Celebrations at School

Policy Point Wednesday - Healthier Celebrations at School
Last May, I wrote about how classroom parties are a significant source of empty calories, and how simply setting out cut-up fruit can improve school-party culture. I haven’t had much opportunity to put this into practice because, fortunately, Sparky’s current school doesn’t have a culture of regular classroom parties. Last week, however, Sparky came home, and... Read more »
By QuipsTravails,
December 26, 2012 at 9:00 am • 

The Food Desert Project - Antipasto-filled Gougeres (Cheese Puffs)

The Food Desert Project - Antipasto-filled Gougeres (Cheese Puffs)
Now, I’ve made cream puffs before; the dough, also known as choux pastry, is actually pretty easy and delightful on its own. Gougeres are nothing more than savory cream puffs; they have cheese added to the batter. They are typically served unfilled, but in this case we are stuffing them with Antipasto. Gougeres are not... Read more »
By QuipsTravails,
December 19, 2012 at 9:00 am • 
Advertisement:

Sundays with Sparky - Holiday Green Beans

Sundays with Sparky - Holiday Green Beans
I have to admit, I get a bit over-excited about holiday cooking. I usually spend several months before Thanksgiving and Christmas planning my menu, trying to find new ways to express old traditions, and generally annoying my family with questions about vegetables, baking, and where we should go to buy the ingredients. This Thanksgiving, I’d planned to... Read more »
By QuipsTravails,
December 16, 2012 at 9:00 am • 

Introduction

Introduction
Hello, ChicagoNow readers! Welcome to Quips, Travails and Braised Oxtails – I’m very glad to make your acquaintance! I’m a food enthusiast…and an easily bored household engineer, or whatever the most professional-sounding euphemism for housewife is these days. People tell me I have too much free time, so I fill that with culinary experiments I... Read more »
By QuipsTravails,
December 13, 2012 at 8:20 pm •