Laura Rebecca's Kitchen

You know who I don’t like? Oprah. I mean, I like that she’s at the top of a field that normally rejects women, African-Americans, and people who have a BMI higher than 18. And I like that she’s made a zillion dollars doing what she loves and chooses to spend a lot of her cash […]

Chocolate + salt + bacon pieces = Mo’s Bacon bar. I really like the combination of sweet and salty. Chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate chip cookies with a slightly salty hit, and salted caramels are all up my alley. So I nearly dropped dead when I spotted Mo’s Bacon Bar at Parkleigh. Chocolate and Bacon? (“You […]

My friend Nancy made this FABULOUS pasta for the party. I can’t even describe how fan-freakin-tastic it is. I ate the leftovers for breakfast and dinner on Sunday, and we all ate it for dinner last night. There is one serving left. It is mine.— The following is written by Nancy, pictured below: Laura’s 30th […]

Normally, I am not an oyster fan. But God, throw a bunch of butter, fennel seeds, garlic and shallots on top — how can they not be loved? Shane and his Commie oysters. Grilled Oysters with Fennel Butter, adapted 1 tsp. fennel seed, ground1 c. butter, softened1 Tbsp. shallots, minced1 Tbsp. garlic, minced (or to […]

Click image for more party pics. This past weekend, Shane invited a few friends over to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was terrific! And delicious! You will not believe the food they made: Pomegranate Martinis Grilled Oysters with Fennel ButterThai Spiced BBQ ShrimpBBQ Halibut SteaksSpinach & Mushroom-dressed FettuciniRussian Tomato SaladBeer breadDeviled Eggs All so amazing. […]

I know it would have been better have a photo of the pie showing the double layers but I forgot. What are you going to do? The pumpkin shape on top was made gently pressing a cookie cutter into a graham cracker half. About a year ago, Mark Pescatore (whom I occasionally write for) send […]

This is a Wegmans’ recipe: it’s not bad but it’s nothing to write home about, either. It made a ton of sauce/gravy, far more than we could use and the whole thing was rather bland. (Sort of like hospital food.) All in all, not a winner. Slow-Cooked Chicken with 40 Cloves (adapted) 1 pkg (approx […]

It’s been about a month since the kids started school — and extra-curricular activities — again, I’m back to teaching, and Shane continues working at his new job. So life is suddenly busy. A little over a year ago, we moved from Geneva to Canandaigua because — damn, y’all* — I needed to GET OUT […]

Cinnamon rolls. Sticky buns. Click here for the recipe. I was so excited (and, um, nervous) about participating in my first Daring Bakers Challenge, I decided to cover it “live blogger” style. Of course, that doesn’t really work when you publish the coverage almost a month later … so, suspend disbelief people! Put yourself into […]

Click here for photos and a discussion of making this recipe. Cinnamon and Sticky Buns(from Peter Reinhart’s The Bread Baker’s Apprentice)Daring Bakers Challenge #10: September 2007Host: Marce (Pip in the City) Days to Make: One (1)Active/Resting/Baking Time: 15 minutes to mix, 3 1/2 hours fermentation/shaping/proofing, 20 – 40 minutes to bakeRecipe Quantity: Eight(1) – twelve […]