Food and Drink

  • Oh, Mexico

     Is it too late to go back?

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  • Happiness is

    The Schvitz The fact that I now have sriracha packets in my desk at my office This commercial:  

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  • Domesticity

    I've gotten into a habit of using a portion of my weekends to cook and prep meals for the week. This may mean cooking something like beef stew in large quantities and then portioning into smaller containers for the freezer and/or lunch during the week, roasting veggies to eat as a side or toss in a

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  • Makeover!

    With the new year approaching, I thought it was time for a (mobile-friendly) makeover. I'm not 100% done tweaking it yet, but let me know if you have any feedback. I'm also thinking I might focus more on posting about cooking, eating, drinking, and exercise (yes, even more than I already do) . . . stay

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  • Shock and Awwww

    My birthday is at the end of December, which is one of many reasons why, when I walked into the 8th Street Winecellar last Wednesday night, I was completely shocked that my friends were throwing me a surprise party. It took me several full minutes to begin to comprehend what was going on, even well

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  • Autumnal Musings

    I will never have an electric stove if I can help it. They are miserable to cook on. I love taking out e-books from the library, except that this time, I was 98% of the way through the book when it expired. Now I'm back on the waiting list to read the remaining 2%. Make

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  • Booze You Can Use: Purple Drank

    Last week's favorite invented cocktail at Chez Laren – Purple Drank: Concord grapes, simple, lemon, aged genever, Dolin blanc, lemon bitters.

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  • Comfort Food

    The other night, in need of some comfort (both physically and emotionally), I made myself one of my all-time favorite comfort food dishes — carbonara. I know, I know — I'm sure we could dive into why I seek comfort in food, but let's not go there right now. What is it that I love

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  • Grillin’ and Chillin’

    Had a wonderfully relaxing end of summer weekend on Fire Island, complete with a Saturday night dinner on the grill. If only I had a grill in NYC. . . The menu:  Sweet and spicy ribs Iceberg wedges with grilled bacon and croutons Cucumber and charred onion salad

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  • My Everything

    I, like many, have strong feelings about everything bagels.  I had one yesterday from Absolute Bagels that, in my opinion, was the perfect specimen. Given the many everything bagels I've had over the years, I've noticed a few things — first, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, and garlic seem to be non-negotiable. The two elements that

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