pastry

My French Rolling Pin

My French Rolling Pin

May 11, 2012

This is my French rolling pin. It doesn’t have easy-grip handles. It doesn’t have ball bearings. It isn’t made from cold, heavy marble. It’s just a smooth, tapered piece of hardwood. For years I wondered why anyone would choose this style over the comfy-handled version with ball bearings I grew up with. Then last December, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Marcy Goldman’s Apple-Raspberry Patchwork Crostata

Marcy Goldman’s Apple-Raspberry Patchwork Crostata

January 6, 2010

We have a tradition in our house. One of us usually kicks off the new year with a kitchen disaster. Last year, I discovered dried beans can, in fact, go stale. This year? I botched the pastry. What else? I learned the hard way parchment paper isn’t always my friend. On the upside, I didn’t [...]

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Thumbnail image for Concord Grape Galette

Concord Grape Galette

October 13, 2009

Pastry is fickle. One day you’re rolling dough like it’s a bolt of white velvet and pulling a golden bubbling dessert from the oven. The results are so fine you briefly consider embroidering “Pie Guru” on your apron. Only you don’t know how to sew, so you put that idea away for when people ask [...]

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Thumbnail image for Curried Chicken Pot Pie

Curried Chicken Pot Pie

February 6, 2009

Last week, Alisa Bowman asked what impressive but no-fuss meal she could serve her book club. Hungry bookworms answered with a wide range of culinary solutions: Diva Lisa jumped straight to dessert and suggested cheesecake. Lisa, you can join my book club any day. Cheri Sicard recommended pulling out the slow cooker. Shunning the chicken-and-condensed-cream-of-mushroom-soup [...]

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