In Memoriam: Carlos Dominguez, Friend, pack member, and apprentice. Mornings in the Mid-Hudson valley are getting crisp. I see hints of frost on the grass; all this tells me that  …

  American, Autumn, Cheap, InstaPot, Slow Cook, Stew, Winter

Every party needs its signature dish, and at Bad Wolf birthday celebrations, nothing draws a crowd quite like our trio of mini smoked sausages. These bite-sized powerhouses have become legendary  …

  American, Autumn, Barbecue, InstaPot, Pub Food, Slow Cook, Snack

There I was, prowling through the not-so-mega mart when those bright green Granny Smith apples caught my eye. “What have we here?” I growled with delight. “These tart little beauties  …

  American, Autumn, Bread, Breakfast, Cast Iron, Fried, Fruit, Quick, Snack, Vegetarian, Winter

Madam BadWolf and I have lived in the Mid-Hudson Valley for close to 40 years. We’ve seen ice storms, heavy snow, high winds, and the occasional fool doing 70 on  …

  Autumn, General, Global, Preservation, Winter

Why do people in upstate New York lock their car doors in September? To keep people from putting zucchini in the car. If you’ve ever grown zucchini — or had  …

  Asian, Autumn, Cast Iron, Cheap, Stir-Fry, Summer, Vegetarian

For over a century, the U.S. Senate restaurant has served navy bean soup daily. This tradition reportedly began in the early 1900s when Senator Fred Dubois of Idaho requested it  …

  American, Autumn, Basics, Bean, Cheap, Pantry, Winter

It is late summer, Madam BadWolf and I stopped at the farm stand for one last grasp of summer goodness. Standing alone was a display of peaches. Walking up to  …

  American, Autumn, Dessert, Fruit, Southern

Person, or persons unknown, have let it be known they suffer with packaged birria. This is a CRIME, SIN, and an ABOMINATION before the universe. Fortunately, there is a cure.  …

  Autumn, Cultural-Misappropriation, InstaPot, Mex-Tex, Slow Cook, Stew, Winter

MEH!!! Winter is here, with inches of snow and ice in the last week, and now, a forecast for 8-10 inches of snow and up to .75 inches of ice.  …

  American, Asian, Autumn, Cheap, Cultural-Misappropriation, Soup, Winter

Given the state of flux the universe is in, Madam Badwolf and I have started trimming expenses. One big thing in our house is the cost of food, and one  …

  Autumn, Basics, Cheap, Italian, Pasta, Quick, Winter

On one of my last trips for the year, I stopped by the home of my #7 Son and #3 Daughter. We had a wonderful evening remembering past days and  …

  Autumn, Cultural-Misappropriation, Gravy, Indian, Indo-Chinese, InstaPot, Pub Food, Quick, Vegan, Winter

Winter has made a serious appearance today. “Like a Nor-Easter, but no snow..”, they said. And I just got back from a week in a much warmer climate. It’s too  …

  American, Autumn, Braise, French, Ingredient, InstaPot, Soup, Winter

I just returned from AWS re:Invent and am ready for some solid food. AWS feeds a great breakie and lunch but leaves you to the tender mercies of Las Vegas  …

  Autumn, Italian, Pasta, Sauce, Winter

Another side dish for my non-cooking associates is a simple or not-so-simple fruit salad. It is perfect as a light and fresh counterpoint to starch and protein-laden plates. As with  …

  Autumn, Cold, Fruit, Global, Salad, Vegan, Vegetarian, Winter

At the urging of an associate (who claims she can’t cook but won’t stop trying), I’ll post a few side dish recipes. Ignoring the obvious—turkey, gravy, and dressing—I’ll jump right  …

  Autumn, Global, Side Dish, Vegetarian, Winter