http://besottedgourmet.com Indulge your inner epicure Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:50:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I love to cook (in case it wasn't already obvious) – chopping and stirring, kneading and sauteing, it all gives me tremendous comfort and enjoyment. Buuuut... I'm also a big fan of kicking back with a glass of champagne, and let world-class hospitality experts stuff you full of lobster profiteroles, ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2010/03/09/high-tea-and-more-champagne/ So, I've never been much of a gambling fan (if I can't eat it, wear it, or visit it, I don't want to spend money on it), but, after my first fun (not work) trip last week, Vegas has grown considerably in my estimation for 3 reasons: The FOOD – when ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2010/02/24/oysters-pink-champagne-raspberry-beignets/ When I was little and learning to play the piano, there was one song that I loved more than any other, and I played it constantly. So much so, that just playing it became kind of pedestrian, and I had to do something to jazz it up…. So I timed ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2010/02/02/pan-seared-salmon-with-luscious-green-sauce/ Pancakes are so much fun because 1) there's virtually no screwing them up 2) you can customize them to taste and look like just about anything your little heart desires. One morning I woke up and felt like doing two things – eating some chocolate for breakfast (not something I recommend ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2010/01/21/racially-harmonious-pancakes/ Saturday and Sunday mornings have a certain routine Chez Besotted – wake up, snooze, wake up, snooze, wake up, make coffee, make bacon & eggs, eat. I would never want anything to disrupt the rhythm and tradition of the first 6 activities, but, every once in awhile, even my beloved ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2010/01/10/cherry-ginger-cream-scones/ I heart brownies in a big way. Nigella Lawson, the cookbook author from whom this recipe has been adapted (begged, borrowed, and slightly stolen), touts as one of their highest virtues the fact that they can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. I would add to that sterling ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2009/12/27/secret-ingredient-brownies/ I’m always curious to know what people shop for in a supermarket and why? What one person considers a staple, another considers a rare occasion treat. I remember being 13 years old, being at a friend’s house, and they had an enormous, family-sized bag of M&Ms in the pantry… 2 ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2009/12/24/sweet-potato-gnocchi-with-brown-butter-thyme-sauce/ In a thoroughly unsurprising development, the holiday season has left me with less time than I'd like to do the things I enjoy most – namely putter around the kitchen and cook. I eat out too much, go to too many parties, and order delivery too often in an effort ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2009/12/13/fettuccine-with-pecan-herb-sauce/ There are some things that are just WAY too good not to share. Now that I'm free to share some non-Gourmet recipes, I knew that this one had to be my first. A couple weeks ago I came home from work on a half day, positively ravenous, and in the deepest ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2009/12/09/sweet-grilled-cheese/ Ufff... Finally home and back to a regular schedule. Thanksgiving down on the Cape and a few relaxing days up in the New Hampshire White Mountains made for a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, which included my final recipe for the Gourmet-only month of November. I have to say that my intention for ... http://besottedgourmet.com/2009/12/02/baked-pear-pie/