Margaret Pilgrim

Or probably the real peasant muse was simply water added to well caramelized onions. Starting with some good duck fat can't hurt.

Reminds me of my aunt's church Annual Stew Night. 20 parish ladies volunteered to make a beef stew, each agreeing to stringently follow the recipe and instructions they were provided. Of course, the amusement of the evening was the variety of the 20 idiosyncratic stews that were brought to the tables.

Misread post.

They AREN'T????

Tangentially, it was a standing joke that any kid looking for fruit flies for a science project should contact a certain kid 'cause his mom was known for always having a supply in her kitchen.

A lovely ending for your birthday evening. Lovely plate. And wishing you as lovely a new year! Heartiest birthday greetings.

This is not funny.

Your dad's device works for many crops and is certainly more humane than traps or, god help us, poisons. Love it. Just a "gentle hint" to keep your distance.

FWIW, and I've been fortunate to have never been able to test it, our next neighbor in the country told us that a nest of rattlesnakes smells like rotten potatoes. I'll take the potatoes any day. And his word for it....

Nice socarrat.

But also to anoint baby potatoes nestled below with both juice and fat. While roast chicken is one of my faves, I lust over these potatoes.

Be prepared...we're moving in.

Indeed. If only a box of de Cecco fusilli,, jar of Rao's marinara and a chunk of Parmesan.

That was my first take also. Like "what is the purp;ose of THAT weirdo?" And then, yes, duh.

I would/should plant zucchini just for the blossoms. I used to buy large bags of morning-fresh blossoms at Laney Flea market in Oakland, which is of course now closed. I so miss my squash blossom, chili, bean and stone fruit men. Sweet people, super product and amazing prices.

Very appealingly plated.

You don't want me to start my rant on leaf-blowers. One neighbor has a weekly gardener crew that spends a full 2 hours mowing (several small lawn patches), trimming hedges and BLOWING CONSTANTLY. I feel for the poor guy both listening to that roar at close range AND breathing the exhaust. WRONG!

I have little problem with MSG. I think it has received a worse rap than it deserves.

Lawns should be illegal in California. We don't have the water to support them. We have a horse watering trough in our front entrance where we grow herbs. Looked kind of funny at first but I think it's just fine!

And as important, probably half their salt1 If that...

Our search has been for a decent baguette or levain 25 miles inland from the Coast. There should be signs, "Bread stops here."

Mango, sheep milk yogurt, Blenheim apricot vinegar "Mississippi roast", mashed potato, buttered green beans

I'm in!

Creamed pattipan (or any summer squash) is a decent side dish. Grate and drain squashes. Mix some flour into sour cream. Saute grated squash until cooked through, then add sour cream and a hefty amount of dry or fresh dill. Cook until all is slightly thickened.

My favorite summer squash Tempura Or stuffed with cheese and breaded