THE ADVENTURES OF A WAYWARD CHEF

The signs that spring has sprung are everywhere out here in Southern Oregon. The warm sun melts the frosting-like snow glazing the Syskiyous. Knock kneed calves suckle from their momma’s teets and wobble around the pastures as though they’re on stilts, baby lambs and kids graze on the fresh green grass, pregnant buds are ready [...]

“This curry was like a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony that I’d once heard – especially the last movement, with everything screaming and banging ‘Joy.’ It stunned, it made one fear great art. My father could say nothing after the meal.” ~Anthony Burgess
Curry, it’s a simple word, yet varied and complex in meaning and richly [...]

“WRU?” (where are you)
The text popped up on my cell phone just as I de-boarded the plane at Medford airport in Southern Oregon, my dad and step-mom waiting for me inside with my winter coat and gloves. The text was from my friend, Jessie. We’d met at a bar in Turks and Caicos two years [...]

The sidewalk is a mosaic of pink and white cherry blossoms, bright colored tulips reach for the sky and the sun warms the earth after a long, long winter. Four weeks in anything below 85 degrees Fahrenheit constitutes a long, long winter, right? The sun is finally shining here in Seattle, and it couldn’t come [...]

La Petite Mort – The exact French translation means “the small death”. According to Wikipedea, the French term is a reference to sexual orgasm and has generally been interpreted to describe the post-orgasmic fainting spells or unconsciousness some lovers experience. The entry concludes that studies using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) give some support to the [...]

Indian Lemon RiceGinger Steamed Winter Greens (Mustard, Tuscan Kale and Swiss Chard)Garam Masala Rubbed Sockeye Salmon with Tomato ChutneyDouble Dark Chocolate Brownies
If ever there is a way to win over the hearts, minds and stomachs of new crewmembers, no matter what their nationality – it is through the cooking of Indian food. For some reason, [...]

Traveling so much over the past few months, I haven’t been in one place long enough to begin any interesting, long term cooking projects. But, anticipating the move to Seattle, my mind has been abuzz with cooking ideas. And so, here I am, finally, in Seattle. My kitchen is slowly being stocked with equipment and [...]

Pat’s Pad Thai(reprinted with her permission)
10 oz. narrow rice noodles5 shelled prawns3 eggs2 tablespoons **white radish pickle, minced3 bunches chinese leeks or scallions, cut into 1 inch sprigs1 teaspoon ground, dried chillies1 tablespoon chopped shallots1 tablespoon chopped garlic2 tablespoons sugar2 tablespoons **fish sauce1/2 tablespoon tamarind Juice (tamarind paste, thinned with water)
*White radish pickle is available [...]

The palms of her soft, warm hands cradling my face, our noses two inches apart, “you want some nana eggs?” she says in that soothing, caring voice as she pushes my tangled, matted hair out of my face. The faint, yet familiar scent of make-up and soap brings comfort to my soul. I shake my [...]

Beef Tenderloin Hamburgers with Blue D’Avergne CheeseOnion Marmalade and Homemade Ketchup
Local Corn on the Cob, Slathered in Butter
Potato Salad with Celery, Scallions, Parsley and Balsamic-Dijon Dressing

C.S.P – Culinary Sensory Perception. That is when my boss is craving something and it just happens to be what I am cooking… My cell phone rang as I was [...]