Hilton Kean Jones

The Starboard Sea (review)

April 12, 2012

If I were able to write a novel, the kind of novel I’d hope to be able to write is the one I just finished reading, The Starboard Sea, by Amber Dermont. Usually, I read for entertainment–not quite trash, but definitely escapist stuff. The Starboard Sea is none of that. All of us in our [...]

Patak’s Biryani Paste with Cauliflower and Yogurt

March 22, 2012

I stumbled upon this years ago. I don’t remember if I read about the basic concept (mashed cauliflower) or discovered it myself, independently. Doesn’t matter. It’s appeared now in tons of blog posts in one form or another. So, here’s my own little personal version. Clean leaves from head of cauliflower and break cauliflower into [...]

My First Steak

March 12, 2012

I made my first steak, ever! It turned out pretty good. I learned a few things (use less butter to sear the steak; use less wine to deglaze the skillet; my topping of melted butter, minced garlic, and horseradish was perfect; don’t bother with the oven–just sear a little longer on each side; I’m not [...]

Iconic memory

January 16, 2012

Countless childhood trips from Illinois down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Florida, and New Orleans and always, even more than the water, this was the image that I identified with the deep South. Yes, I know, moss is bad for the tree and it’s full of chiggers! Nevertheless… Most images link to larger images. click [...]

Year ’round Holiday decorations

December 30, 2011

I think I will leave up my holiday decorations year ’round. Why not? They make me feel good. Long, long ago, there used to be a small, downtown cafe in St. Pete that was decorated with year ’round Christmas tree lights strung around the ceiling. I could almost swear it was where the Central Coffee [...]

Homegrown lettuce from a neighborhood garden

December 20, 2011

A friend brought me a great gift today: fresh lettuce she picked herself from a plot she maintains in a community garden at the end of her street. Although I, personally, lack the drive for such industry, I’m certainly glad she doesn’t! Isn’t it great to know where your food comes from? The word, “community,” [...]

Happy Holidays!

December 13, 2011

Most images link to larger images. click on larger image for closeup

Variation on a Butternut Squash Soup Zack Shack recipe

December 5, 2011

A fellow blogger (he publishes Zack Shack) and friend has posted several recipes that have made my mouth water. Recently, Zack had a recipe for Brined Turkey Butternut Squash Soup that I simply had to try since I only recently learned how to cook winter squash. To me, it seemed that the heart of Zack’s [...]

Microwaved Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup

December 1, 2011

It’s winter in Florida (60s…!) so it’s time for winter food and the winter squashes are in. I’m simply too lazy and impatient to cook them properly in the oven and I’m very afraid of cutting off my fingers–my main source of income–because cutting them is so difficult when they’re uncooked. (The squash I mean, [...]

Cheese and Brussels Sprouts Casserole

November 12, 2011

No matter how “mature” one becomes, a trip to the dentist demands a post-appointment-self-reward of some sort. It just so happens that Mazzaro’s (inkwatu.com/2008/03/12/mazzaros-italian-market) is between my dentist’s office and my home! Soft food (in this case spinach & sundried tomato lasagna and a cheese & brussels sprouts casserole side dish) was in order following [...]

Biloxi, Mississippi

August 27, 2011

My big sister, Lucy, in 1949 at Biloxi lighthouse The Mississippi Gulf Coast figures prominently in my family’s history since my father’s relatives are in southern Mississippi and Alabama. Also, as a poor Methodist preacher’s family in Illinois, about the only vacation we could afford when I was a kid was to head south in [...]

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