Month: May 2016

Grilled Baby Back Ribs, Quick Pickles and Potato Salad with Ramp Dressing
Memorial Day

Grilled Baby Back Ribs, Quick Pickles and Potato Salad with Ramp Dressing

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Memorial Day is one of those mixed-up American holidays that began as something solemn and metamorphosized into a celebration. While it honors the American men and women who gave their lives in the U.S. military, it has also become the de facto kickoff to summer and grilling season. Originally known as Decoration Day, after the practice of decorating fallen soldiers’… Continue reading Grilled Baby Back Ribs, Quick Pickles and Potato Salad with Ramp Dressing

Honey Madeleines and Honey-Lavender Ice Cream
Feast of Corpus Christi

Honey Madeleines and Honey-Lavender Ice Cream

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Corpus Christi, also known as Corpus Domini, is a Christian festival honoring the body and blood of Christ and its presence in the Holy Eucharist. We have Juliana of Liège, a 13th century Belgian canoness, to thank for its institution: Juliana was part of a group of women who dedicated themselves to Eucharist worship and… Continue reading Honey Madeleines and Honey-Lavender Ice Cream

Vietnamese Summer Rolls
Vesak

Vietnamese Summer Rolls

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Vesak or Vesākha is a Buddhist holiday commonly referred to as “Buddha’s Birthday,” although it actually celebrates not only the birth of Gautama Buddha but also his enlightenment and his death. Even if you know nothing about Buddhism, you’re probably familiar with the word “nirvana,” which is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice. When it’s… Continue reading Vietnamese Summer Rolls

Seafood Pot Au Feu, Aïoli and Massa Sovada
Pentecost

Seafood Pot Au Feu, Aïoli and Massa Sovada

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Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter, is considered the true “birthday” of the Christian Church. On this day, Christians believe that the Holy Ghost entered the bodies of Jesus’s apostles and caused them to “speak in tongues.” This event marked the first time (in Christian history) that man communicated directly with God, and to this day,… Continue reading Seafood Pot Au Feu, Aïoli and Massa Sovada

Carnitas Tacos, Cinco Salad, Mexican Chocolate Meringues and Spiced Pepitas
Cinco de Mayo

Carnitas Tacos, Cinco Salad, Mexican Chocolate Meringues and Spiced Pepitas

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Americans may think of Cinco de Mayo as the Mexican version of July 4th or St. Paddy’s Day–it has similar patriotic overtones and party-hearty connotations. In fact, it’s got a far more complicated history than most of us take in, especially after a couple of the margaritas or cervezas often poured liberally to mark the day. First… Continue reading Carnitas Tacos, Cinco Salad, Mexican Chocolate Meringues and Spiced Pepitas

Keftedakia, Tzatziki, Avgolemono Soup, Spanakopita and Walnut Cake
Easter · Greek Easter

Keftedakia, Tzatziki, Avgolemono Soup, Spanakopita and Walnut Cake

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For Orthodox Christians, the biggest holiday of the year, hands-down, is Easter. Orthodox Easter is a highly religious holiday, befitting the solemnity of the miracle it commemorates. No bunnies, no baskets of candy, no pastels: it’s an all-hands-on-deck, church-going, late-night affair. Luckily there’s delicious food to keep everyone going. The Saturday night of Easter weekend is… Continue reading Keftedakia, Tzatziki, Avgolemono Soup, Spanakopita and Walnut Cake