what a beautiful, delicious-looking mess.

KC&CO,

Bessie

via

. . . like this berry consomme with lemon champagne sorbet . . .

. . . . tagliatelle with young garlic, asparagus, and mushrooms. . [...]]]> loving how sunday suppers pairs photos of fresh and seasonal dishes with lovely flowers and place settings. . .

. . . like this berry consomme with lemon champagne sorbet . . .

. . . . tagliatelle with young garlic, asparagus, and mushrooms. . .

. . . roast chicken sandwich on a baguette with truffle fries . . .

. . . buttermilk biscuits with jam butters + a honeyed fig and lavender crostata . . .

(all images are copyright of karen mordechai via sunday suppers. visit the blog here for more beautiful photos and recipes.)

KC&CO,

Bessie

in pancake form, topped with candied ginger . . .

. . . upside-down pear-gingerbread cake . . .

. . . and everything nice, that’s what gingerbread is made of. this sweetly spiced treat can brighten up any chilly day . .  .

in pancake form, topped with candied ginger . . .

. . . upside-down pear-gingerbread cake . . .

. . . gingerbread waffles with tart sour cream and lingonberry preserves . . .

. . . pumpkin-gingerbread ice cream . . .

. . . chocolate gingerbread drizzled with a dark chocolate ganache icing . . .

. . .  or just gingerbread, served with a dollop of whipped cream and a hot cappucino.

(click on images for original sources and copyright information)

KC&CO,

Bessie

thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year- what’s not to love about a day that is centered around food? here are unique translations of a few classic dishes, like . .  .

turkey (here, roasted with black truffle butter and white-wine gravy)

stuffing (with chestnuts, celery, [...]]]>

thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year- what’s not to love about a day that is centered around food? here are unique translations of a few classic dishes, like . .  .

turkey (here, roasted with black truffle butter and white-wine gravy)

stuffing (with chestnuts, celery, apples, and leeks)

cranberry sauce (try this cranberry, quince, and pearl onion compote instead)

mashed potatoes (or a parsnip purée with sautéed brussels sprouts leaves)

sweet potatoes (roasted sweet potato rounds with garlic and fried sage)

pumpkin pie (spiced pumpkin souflé with bourbon molasses sauce)

(all images via gourmet magazine)

have a great thanksgiving, everyone! see you on monday . . .

KC&CO,

Bessie

As the temperatures continue to drop, I’ve found myself craving the flavors that I associate with fall. Here are a few sweet autumnal treats that I’d [...]]]>

As the temperatures continue to drop, I’ve found myself craving the flavors that I associate with fall. Here are a few sweet autumnal treats that I’d love to indulge in (click images for original sources and copyright information):

banana pumpkin pancakes topped with freshly sliced bananas, syrup, and candied pecans

spiced bread flavored with mild honey, molasses, walnuts, and fine candied fruit

layers of caramel, pecans, caramelized apples, cheesecake, and whipped cream in a graham cracker crust

warm upside-down pear gingerbread cake paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

glazed apple streusel muffins- the perfect companion for a latte

spiced chai cupcakes with a honey-cinnamon buttercream frosting

KC&CO,

Bessie

title image via

I had heard about GOOP, Gwenyth Paltrow’s lifestyle newsletter/website before, I but I’d never actually read it until yesterday. I like the elegant aesthetic of [...]]]>

I had heard about GOOP, Gwenyth Paltrow’s lifestyle newsletter/website before, I but I’d never actually read it until yesterday. I like the elegant aesthetic of the site, especially the “Make” and “Get” subcategories, which focus on food and fashion, respectively. Her approach to food is incredibly healthy- all of her recipes are organic; most are vegetarian or vegan. She even has a frightening post on her liquid detox diet. I mean, homegirl named her children “Apple” and “Moses,” clearly her judgement is a little off at times. Scary diets aside, there were a few recipes that looked delicious (like the vegan BLT pictured above.) Here are a few more of my favorites:

eggplant with fresh mozzarella, roughly torn basil leaves, and finely shredded parmesan

halved avocados filled with a crab salad- lump crabmeat, lemon, shallots, and a marie rose sauce

penne with fresh tomato sauce, red chili, fine olive oil, and grated pecorino cheese

chicken with spanish onions, preserved lemons, saffron threads, pomegranate pips, and green olives

dark chocolate chunk, dried cherry, and pecan cookies

blondie brownies- peanut butter, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows

KC&CO,

Bessie

As the weather gets chillier, I gravitate towards heavier foods like piping hot soups, creamy sauces, and cheesy pastas. Perhaps my favorite comfort food is grilled cheese sandwiches, which evoke great memories (my mom would [...]]]>

As the weather gets chillier, I gravitate towards heavier foods like piping hot soups, creamy sauces, and cheesy pastas. Perhaps my favorite comfort food is grilled cheese sandwiches, which evoke great memories (my mom would always make them on snowdays when I was younger.) It’s also a textural thing- I love the contrast between the buttery, toasted bread and the gooey, melted cheese. When dunked in a creamy tomato basil soup..mmm, no words. Although my snowdays are long gone, I’ve found a few grown-up versions of my childhood favorite. Take a look, below (click on photos for recipes and copyright information):

grilled tallegio, escarole, and onion jam on sourdough bread

grilled aged cheddar, onions, leeks, shallots, and garlic on country bread

goat cheese and havarti, red and yellow tomato, prosciutto, and arugula on cracked wheat sourdough bread

cheddar, provolone, and pepperjack, fresh salsa, pepperoncini, and button mushrooms on crusty french bread

grilled gouda, ripe tomatoes, and basil and fresh basil on good sourdough bread

grilled gruyere with carmelized sweet yellow onions and fresh oregano on rye bread

grilled cheddar, havarti, and jarlsberg on crusty jalapeno bread

Ah, heaven. By the way, here’s a nifty idea from Mark Bittman’s “101 Simple Salads” article: make a crisp grilled cheese sandwich without too much cheese, let it cool, cut it into croutons, and serve it over a salad of tomatoes and fresh basil. Yum!

KC&CO,

Bessie

Autumn is my favorite season of the year, perhaps because it evokes so many wonderful things in my mind. I think of blustery breezes and chilly evenings, tartan blankets and cashmere scarves, fallen leaves cracking under buttery-soft leather boots and…well, you [...]]]>

Autumn is my favorite season of the year, perhaps because it evokes so many wonderful things in my mind. I think of blustery breezes and chilly evenings, tartan blankets and cashmere scarves, fallen leaves cracking under buttery-soft leather boots and…well, you get the idea.

I also have particularly strong food associations with this time of year: crisp apples, warm spices, and, of course, pumpkins. Aside from the quintessential pie, there are plenty of uses for pumpkins, which add a rich sweetness to anything from baked goods to soups. Here are a few of the most delectable-looking recipes that I’ve found (click images for copyright information):

mini pumpkin cheesecakes with a buttery graham-cracker crust, topped with a dollop of chilled heavy cream and dusted with nutmeg

pumpkin soup with sweet onion, garlic, cumin and paprika. garnished with cream and fresh chives.

melt-in-your-mouth butterscotch chips nestled in a pumpkin, cinnamon, and vanilla cookie.

whoopie pies: two mini pumpkin cakes stuffed with a cream cheese and chocolate chip filling

(ps. i am a child, and the term “whoopie pies” will always make me giggle)

pumpkin parfaits: layers of dreamy pumpkin pie mousse, fresh whipped cream, and spicy gingersnap cookies

Yum…hope you all have a lovely middle-of-the-week!

KC&CO,

Bessie

Hello, hello! Here are some scrumptious images for you to devour on this rainy (for me, at least) Tuesday:

Hello, hello! Here are some scrumptious images for you to devour on this rainy (for me, at least) Tuesday:

savory scones with extra-sharp cheddar and freshly minced dill

bucatani with pancetta, garlic, roasted and hot red peppers. sprinkled with romano

sirloin with a shitake pan sauce and a lemon-truffle vinaigrette

super moist chocolate cake with hazelnuts, chocolate buttercream and apricot curry glaze

nutella croissants… how perfect would these be with fresh coffee, eggs, and orange juice?

Click on the images for original links and copyright information. Hope everyone’s week is off to a lovely start!

KC&CO,

Bessie

Hello, hello! As an outlet for my excitement about my upcoming trip to Italy, I’ve compiled a little pasta post for today. The following recipes are not exclusively Italian, but they all look delicious nonetheless. Click on the images for full recipes, original links, and [...]]]>

Hello, hello! As an outlet for my excitement about my upcoming trip to Italy, I’ve compiled a little pasta post for today. The following recipes are not exclusively Italian, but they all look delicious nonetheless. Click on the images for full recipes, original links, and copyright information:

fusilli. extra virgin olive oil. ripe and sundried tomatoes. olives. fresh mozzarella.

spaghetti. pancetta. eggs. finely chopped garlic. minced parsley. romano and parmesan cheese. freshly ground pepper.

vermicelli. extra virgin olive oil. garlic, parsley, onion. green olives. capers.

ricotta gnocchi. italian sausage. roasted red pepper pesto. garnish with basil and parmesan.

baked rigatoni. havarti. bolognese sauce. zucchini.

risotto. sweet onion. crimini mushrooms. white wine. parmesan.

Mmmm. Hope everyone’s having a happy middle-of-the-week!

KC&CO,

Bessie