Pan-Braised Meatballs with Spring Onions + Parm (Toddler Friendly!)

First, a tremendous thank you for the comments, messages, virtual hugs and social media shares in light of my last entry. Shortly after pressing publish, I asked Chris how he felt about the post, and he pushed back with “how do you feel after writing it?” To which I offered, “Better.” So. Thank you for listening, for allowing this spot to be about more than just side hustle and SPAM. For indulging me. If I could hug and squeeze every one of you, I would. But as I cannot, I’ll offer up this — the coziest, most comforting gift I … Read More

vietnamese meatball bún with honey-aleppo nuoc cham

Vietnamese Meatball Bún with Honey-Aleppo Nuoc Cham recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #dairyfree #glutenfree #dinner

We’re in it, you guys. The home stretch. The last couple of months before this artsy little nugget completes her first trip around the sun and all the excuses I’ve made for myself as a “new mom” come up on their expiration date. Am I supposed to have my shit together by now? My squad of mommy friends firmly established? Is it time to reintroduce my hair to the flat iron and the blow dryer? (Hell, even the hair brush is kind of estranged at this point…) If you feel like these questions are rhetorical, I ensure you: they are … Read More

Moroccan Braised Bison Meatball Stew and a plea for votes

 — Thanks to all who voted for The Pig & Quill! This contest is now closed. —  I made the second round in Cook Taste Eat’s 365 Everyday Value Coconut Milk recipe contest! Remember the other day when I posted that pretty little recipe for Chiles en Nogada con Coco and mentioned it was part of a contest hosted by Whole Foods and Cook Taste Eat? Well I’ve got some good news, reader friends — I made the first cut! And now we reach the hard part. In order to realize the grand prize of cooking/filming with Michael Mina, my … Read More

Recipe: Braised meatballs with bacon & chard

I. Freaking. Love. Meatballs. In fact, I’m pretty certain 50 Cent knew nothing of fat kids’ loves when he was rapping about cake. Any fat kid that knows what’s up would take a saucy little meatball over a crumbly slice of Duncan Hines hands down. And that’s the truth. In this version, juicy spheres of herb-studded, organic, grass fed beef are roasted to develop a crisp crust and then bathed in a super fast tomato sauce chock full of bacon and thick ribbons of chard.  Serve over whole wheat or brown rice pasta for a meal that’s as balanced as … Read More