I savor Mexican tortilla soup the way I imagine other people respond to chicken noodle soup or beef stew. That is to say it is comfort food in the purest sense for me, and I find I can eat it for days on end without boredom. Its beauty lies in the aromatic broth which is [...]

If you have not had the pleasure of introducing a Vouvray into your repertoire of white wines in house, this sprightly version from Jean Claude Bougrier is the perfect opportunity.  Off-dry, with a touch of residual sugar, this wine exhibits the same honeyed, floral notes characteristic of the Vouvray region along with the nice balance [...]

Part I: Vinaigrettes
It has been many years since I have counted a store bought salad dressing among my pantry staples. In my opinion, it is pointless to prepare a fresh homemade salad only to offer a selection of prefabricated bottled concoctions along side it. The veggies quickly become muted by an overbearing blend of artificial [...]

Built in 1778 , The Greenbrier is a resort steeped in history. Nestled in the mountains of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia is has long been a retreat for U.S. presidents and politicians who prefer its seclusion to closer options in neighboring Washington DC  Its imposing 721 room property, reminiscent of The White House in architecture [...]

I like to think of this dessert as a Persian sundae because of the combination of yogurt, citrus and rosewater. The only thing missing is a sprinkling of crushed, toasted pistachios, although in many ways I prefer the simplicity of the fresh strawberries and tangy yogurt all by themselves. Strawberries and cream are such a [...]

Richly braised meats, heady from hours spent stewing in red wine, aromatic vegetables and herbs, have their right place in the depths of winter. Even knobly root vegetables can be soothing that time of year, when aggressive roasting can charm their nutty sweetness into submission. Somehow the extended darkness and coldness outdoors makes the kitchen [...]