Recipes

This part of the Website is about food, and how to enjoy preparing and serving it.  There are recipes that range from a very simple mixing of a few ingredients to those that are more complex requiring the application of more advanced techniques.

Because so much of cooking involves the application of time honored techniques, we have, where appropriate, included a description of such techniques.

Many of the recipes we have prepared for our children since they were very young. Others we have found later.  There is nothing new, in the sense that the recipe or technique was developed exclusively by us.  Rather, this is a collection of our cooking experiences.  It is not meant to be exhaustive, and certainly is not.

We have compiled this collection for two reasons.  First, to pass along what we have learned over many years of cooking.  And secondly, in the hope of inspiring an interest in cooking in those who might believe themselves to be “gastronomically challenged.”

The preparation of good meals at home is appealing for several reasons.  First and foremost, a good home cooked meal is a celebration around which the family can gather and have conversation.  Parents can take the time to talk with their children in a way that isn’t possible eating take out in front of the television.

Second, it is possible to prepare a gourmet meal at home using only the best ingredients at a fraction the cost of eating at a mediocre chain restaurant.  And when you are the cook, you control what goes into your dishes and can limit the amount of processed food you consume.  

During our travels in France, we are always amazed that few people appear over weight and yet the French are passionate about food and don’t eat sparingly.  We are convinced that part of their secret is that they consume very little calorie laden processed food.  Rather than eating snacks that come out of boxes, cans or bottles, French children eat fresh fruits.  French meals revolve around fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and fresh seafood and meats from the market.  By skipping potato chips and super sized soft drinks, they can even enjoy sumptuous deserts without gaining weight.  Preparation of your own meals allows you to do as the French; avoid processed foods and control what you eat.

Finally, cooking is a creative process, much like painting or writing. As you develop the fundamental techniques you can apply them to new recipes and make them your own.  Cooking should be fun.  Hopefully, this website will make it so for you.