3 seasons in 3 months

ok it's more like 4 months, but it's still amazing to me to see so much variation in the short amount of time that I've been here in Columbus. Of course, it's probably not going to change much from the last picture for the next few months... oh well.

Thunderstorm -- end of August.

Autumn leaves -- mid-October

First snow -- end of November

Lobster of the forest

I found this little bugger in my friend's garage last night. I think it's called a camel cricket. Is it just me or does it look like it would be delicious fried in some butter and garlic?

Not just a food blog

I know this is ostensibly a food blog, but I have been rather obsessed with the Midwest weather lately, and I wanted to share a couple of the weather-related pictures that I've taken. I hope you like them.

Armageddon

Purple Lightning

Triptych of Cereal and Berries

Garlic, Pepper, and Onion

"For it is every cook's opinion -
No savory dish without an onion,
But lest your kissing should be spoiled
Your onions must be fully boiled."
- Jonathan Swift

Mango tortoises?

Pear and parsley salad

Last night, I cut up ripe Anjou pear on a cutting board that had previously held some chopped Italian parsley. When I tasted a hint of parsley on one of the pear slices, I was struck with a bolt of inspiration. The flavors complemented each other very well and demanded to be featured in a salad. Seeking a texture to contrast with the soft pear, I added some chopped pecans. I would have finished it off with some gorgonzola cheese but I didn't have any on hand. Instead, continuing the 'p' alliteration, I added some black pepper. This really accentuated the herby flavor of the parsley, but it swung the sweet/savory balance a little too far toward the savory end of the spectrum, so I drizzled some honey on top and finished it off with a pinch of fleur de sel. Voila!

This experience got me to thinking about alliterations in recipes. I have always been amused by the unusual harmony the "c" spices: cumin, coriander, clove, cardamom, cayenne pepper, curry powder, etc. But this was my first experience with the combination of pear, parsley, pecan, and peppercorns. I urge you to try it, and to share your own favorite alliteration recipe.