Tortillas and Oranges » Cookbook

Organizing Recipes: Google Docs

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:00:17 +0000

In our house, we’ve given up hard drives. We store everything in the cloud. More specifically, google docs (or documents if you insist on being proper). I’ll be using google docs to organize and store more and more of my recipes. If you are a lucky friend of mine, I’ve already shared a document with you called “Most Used Recipes”. Email me if you want in on the action (tortillasandoranges@gmail.com). Fall being Fall, this morning I started a doc called “School Night Meals”. You may want a piece of that action as well. My first three entries are Beef and Lentil Soup, Black Bean Orzo, and Curried Chicken and Apple Soup. Wowzer. I’m jealous of myself. You now know what recipes are coming your way. Welcome back. Hope your summer was fun, relaxing, and sunny.

CookBook: Bittman Bids Adieu

admin — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 05:49:08 +0000

Mark Bittman is taking on a new role at the New York Times. But before he switches roles, he grants us one last look at his 25 favorite recipes. Print this out and keep it. You’ll come back to it again and again.

Eating Right: Good Calories, Bad Calories

admin — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 15:43:29 +0000

It is New Year’s Day, and I can’t help myself. I have to tell you about a book. I read about food. A lot. And I read (most of) one book that truly changed the way I see and think about food. Now don’t roll your eyes as I go on and on. It’s not going to be like that. But as I reviewed my goals for the year, I realized that today is the best day to tell you about it. If you are thinking about changing any habits this year, Read. This. Book.

Good Calories, Bad Calories was written by Gary Taubes (a science journalist). Taubes does something very brave–he gathers all of the recent studies on what we eat and why and looks at it through a different lens. He challenges what we think about food and forces us (at least he did me) to rethink what food is good, and what is bad.

Okay, here is where I get real. I did not read the whole thing. Because it reads more like a text book, I skipped around, highlighted certain parts, and reread some passages over and over again.

At the end of the day this is what I know: Refined sugar and white flour are not our best friends. Now don’t worry, I’m not going to go crazy and tell you that Chocolate Cake is evil. Never. But I will say that when I finally put this tome down, I drastically reduced my sugar and (white) flour intake. I feel like a different person. Instead of grabbing chocolate, I grab clementines. Instead of reaching for yet another chunk of bread, I drink more San Pellegrino. I feel healthier and happier (and yes… I did lose a few pounds… and yes, I’m happy about it). I’m absolutely convinced the changes came because of this book. Happy reading and Happy New Year!

(p.s A shout out to Big Daddy G who over a green chile chicken salad told me about Mr. Taubes in the first place. Thanks G.)

Cookbook: Keller Kills Me

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:57:00 +0000

Oh boy. It came in the mail last week. The truth is, it was on back order for several weeks. D tried to get it for me for Christmas. I tried to get it for myself for my birthday(that was in January). No matter. It is here now. The first recipe I will try are his Chocolate Chip Cookies. After that I’m going to throw all care to the wind and attempt the Fried Chicken. I’m inviting Lindy (my mentor) over for that one. I’ll let you know how it goes. Now I’m off to clean an incredibly dirty kitchen.