hello jolly readers … there’s this scene in talladega nights where ricky bobby’s wife unceremoniously dumps him after he returns from the hospital. his kids react with a brutal joy, screaming ‘two christmases!!’ … well, kids, it’s true. divorced parents means lots of christmas. in my case, that can often translate to lots of cooking. this year, i’m rolling out: saturday fish coulibiac, sunday lavendar-herb rack of lamb, monday tamales and fish brochettes. i plan to throw some recipes up in here, but since i’m making it up as i go along, and soliciting help, it’ll have to be a post-christmas lowdown … happy eating to all and to all a good night!

PS: if anyone reads this, i’d love to hear what you are cooking this holiday season. share the recipe love!

well, i’m back on the pacific. adios mediterranean…but i wanted to compile a little list of my favorite tasty locations that i visited … in case any of yous ever decide to up and visit that great nation. you should! aside from excellent food tourism, barcelona is beautiful and friendly and special. (and if you do go and want to study some spanish, go here.) in no particular order, my favorite …

* chocolate croissant: the excellent patisseria serra (gran via de les corts catalanes & rocafort). also recommend their chocolates and cookies.
* cafe con leche: at nelson’s (at the west entrace of the glorious mercado de la abaceria, in gracia), you will get kindly service from a man with a bushy grey mustache who i came to think of as “nelson.” you can also buy good quality coffee beans from “nelson.” Read on… »