Wahoo, it’s Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake. Or is it the serpent? Are they the same year? Are they the same species? WTF. No matter, it’s the Lunar New Year, which means plenty of excuses for cramming my mouth with things of the delicately fried, steamed and, most importantly, porky variety. In other words, it’s pretty much Christmas come early. Like, a really awesome piggy Christmas with chives and cilantro and hot chili oil. Ho, my friends. In honor of what is inarguably one of the foodiest celebrations of the year, I thought now might be the perfect … Read More
Sticky Toffee Popcorn with Peanuts & Potato Chips
Ohhhhhh lovelies, if there is one recipe you take away from the Pig & Quill this year, let it be this one. Is that putting the popcorn on too high a pedestal? Perhaps. I’ll correct myself. Ohhhhh lovelies, if you like things that are salty. That are sweet. That are nutty and crisp and ever-so-slightly caramelized, junky and comforting and just completely, justifiably snack-worthy, have I got a recipe for you. A few weeks back, on the eve of my cousin Lauren’s bridal shower, I found myself staring down a dozen kraft paper favor bags adorned with bridal-worthy decals and bows … Read More
Thai Beef Broccoli with Basil & Rice Noodles
Oh, the wok puns I could use here, but I won’t. Consider it an exercise in self-control. Make that great self control. It’s just so tempting. Let’s start over. How much do you love Asian food? I’m seriously all about it, like in a totally high school “no you hang up” kind of way. Maybe it has something to do with my upbringing, where Four Season Crab and Hamburger Helper both held their own on the dining room table. (I still love boxed ground meat kits.) Maybe it has to do with the fact that, more often than not, Asian … Read More
Sunday Supper: Lamb Loin Chops & Minted Quinoa
You guys. I know you know I watch a lot of TV, but you guyssssssss, Vampire Diaries is getting off the heezy fo sheezy. That show is like a leather-clad stew of attractiveness. And I want seconds. Same goes for these classy chops. Yes, believe it or not, every now and then I make something that doesn’t come together in a Dutch oven in less than 30 minutes. Sometimes there’s even a sauce, oh my. A rich, buttery, boozy pan sauce. Or a tapenade with chewy sundried tomatoes, salty olives and verdant herbs. Or both. This, my friends, is Sunday … Read More
Chickenless Udon Noodle Soup (with Butternut Squash)
I was really ready to headline this post with something as rad Leave the chicken in the coop and the noodles in the soup! but I have a confession to make. This soup isn’t entirely chickenless. There’s, gulp, stock. I know, I’m a sham. I’m so sorry. If you veggie folk leave and never come back, I’ll understand. ‘Cept for I would so not understand. Please don’t leave. Just take a peeksie at the note below for a quickie vegetarian/vegan variation. All better? Good. Because I have another confession to make. I ah-door noodles. Maybe you recall my ramen rant? … Read More