NO-KNEAD CHEESE BREAD

A freshly baked loaf of bread with a crusty top, sprinkled with seeds, resting on a metal cooling rack.

Whenever we go to visit my in-laws just north of Chicago, we always make a trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin, just to go to the Mars Cheese Castle. It’s this wonderfully tacky, fake castle just off the highway that sells everything from cheese curds to authentic Danish Kringles. My husband is addicted to their cheddar cheese…

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SALMON ROULADE

A plate of salmon and cream cheese appetizers topped with caviar and herbs, served on slices of cucumber.

My husband and I practically live at the sushi bar across the street. We’ve spent countless hours watching Osamu, the owner and chef, prepare hundreds of pieces of sushi and rolls. Although I’m reluctant to make raw fish rolls on my own, knowing full well they’ll never be as good as Osamu’s, watching him inspired…

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BURRATA IN THE GARDEN

Caprese salad with balsamic reduction on a white plate, featuring fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

Every summer we plant an urban vegetable garden on our roof deck. Depending upon the year, we’ve had some success, particularly if we beat the squirrels to our harvest. But by far, the most consistent and tastiest crops are our cherry tomatoes. We plant all different kinds and sizes. I like using small, sweet tomatoes…

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TWO INGREDIENT MARINADE

Packaged black and orange snack bars arranged on a wooden surface.

Admit it—you ordered Chinese food at least once a week during Covid lockdown. Okay, maybe you didn’t, but I did. My local take-out place always throws in soy sauce and duck sauce packets by the handful. Being someone who hates to waste, I put them to good use for this very simple marinade. Sometimes I…

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KK’s EXOTIC SPICE BLEND

The Katz Tales Basic KKS Magic Spices

Whenever I travel, I’m a sucker for those pre-packed spice blends used in the local cuisine. I’ve got Voodoo Spice from the Caribbean, Creole seasoning from New Orleans, Pacific Cioppino Spice blend from San Francisco, and Shichimi Tagarashi from Tokyo. They’re all taking up space in my pantry, having been forgotten about as soon as…

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TEN THINGS THAT DRIVE ME NUTS

A Cartoon Image of a Bird Pooping

TEN THINGS THAT DRIVE ME NUTS 1) When my mother calls saying she doesn’t mean to complain and then is still at it twenty minutes later. 2) When I’ve just put on my Sunday best only to get pooped on by a passing pigeon. 3) When I order a pizza and they put HIS olives…

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DON’T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN…

A Metallic Railing With Bags Hung on Railing

DON’T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN… As much as I love it here in Brooklyn, it does have its challenges. It seems that ripping up the streets to replace one-hundred year old water mains is a relatively good idea, but not when it means they close your street and force the entire block to use…

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PORTUGAL SNAPSHOTS

Porto boats

Almost everywhere you go in Portugal, there’s an image waiting to be captured. Whether you’ve brought your iPhone, your fancy SLR camera, or the moment itself seers deep inside your memory bank, Portugal is a land of breathtaking and memorable sites. Even on a dreary day as the sun naps behind the clouds, mother nature…

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THE TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED IN ASIA

A Wooden Raft With Two People Sailing on Water

10) A smile translates in any language. Silly translates too. 9) Eating local food from street vendors is like playing Russian roulette. It can be thrilling AND deadly. 8) You really don’t need a lot of stuff. The lighter the load, the easier the journey. 7) There are more western toilets around than you’d expect,…

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SINGAPORE First Impressions

A Boat Sailing in the Night on Water

And with the stroke of midnight, it is now my birthday. I’m celebrating alone in my very cozy business class seat, trying to keep down the three gin and tonics I foolishly chased with a Grand Marnier on ice, thinking it would put me to sleep. Instead, I have a pounding headache and my mouth…

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