I am always on the hunt for old regional cookbooks, and naturally, I keep my eyes extra peeled for books celebrating the hearty and molasses-laden foods of my beloved New England. When I find them, they usually aren’t in any shape to be used in the manner in which they were intended. Measurements are clunky […]

One of the many reasons I love working for Yankee Magazine is the ever-present excuse I have to browse antique shops throughout the region – all in the name of knowledge and research. I browse with equal enthusiasm for art, books, jewelry, knick-knacks…but I confess the first objects my eyes dart around the room for […]

New England food comes in many forms, and  Brooke Dojny has included them all in the newly revised edition of  “New England Home Cooking.”  The book is a true pleasure to peruse - not just for its wealth of over 350 recipes, but the back story and detail given to each dish.  I am always interested in the story behind […]

During my time in Edinburgh I learned about many new-to-me foods.  The cafe I worked at got in a fair amount of them, like Irn-Bru, florentines, flapjacks, the ploughman’s sandwich, and three bean salad. It was also where I saw my first carrot and raisin salad, but you will never see me revisiting that particular dish.  I truly […]

You may recall that last summer I spent a weekend in Vermont with my mom and sister, the highlight of which (for me) was a trip to the King Arthur Flour bakery and store.  The KAF Bakers’ Banter blog was one of the first food blogs I fell in love with, for both its superior […]

I love weddings, I love the holidays, and I love classic New England…so this past weekend in the White Mountains for Greg and Courtney’s wedding was a total home run. It started with the three plus hour drive up to Jackson, New Hampshire.  We knew we were getting close when the view outside started to look more like this: The Wildcat Inn and Tavern couldn’t have […]

Every year for the past 7 years I have put the Keene Pumpkin Festival in New Hampshire on my list of “Fall Things To Do” – but every year I missed it.  Pathetic. This year (the 20th anniversary of the KPF) I knew I needed to man up, so I marked the day on the calendar well in […]

In the past year I have become a voyeur of several baking blogs.  As a non-adventurous vegetarian, I find it easier to get interested and excited about baking, because the results can (usually) be enjoyed by both meat-eaters and veggies alike.  I also appreciate and respect the science of baking, and the artistry of the results.  Ingredients must […]

Marshmallow Fluff…the classic New England sweet staple that seems (comfortingly) resistant to the passage of time.  The logo, packaging, and ingredients have barely changed over the years, and its spreadable marshmallow-y goodness still tastes terrific on bread with peanut butter (aka the Fluffernutter) and as the main ingredient in many classic recipes for fudge, pies, cakes, […]