Sauteing

Aloo Gobhi Masala

November 30, 2011 by Charles 4 Comments

The other day, when I was in the gym, I was flipping through the channels, searching for something to hold my attention while on the treadmill. After a few clicks, I stopped, landing on the familiar fedora of Indiana Jones.

As Indiana trekked through the jungles on his elephant, I immediately recognized this movie as the second installment in the series, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I wasn’t old enough to see the movie in the theaters — I was only four — but I can remember watching the movie as a young teen, perhaps catching the movie on television late one weekend night.

Owing to my young age, …

Tuscan White Beans

July 31, 2011 by Charles 7 Comments

These days there are legions of bloggers, forming a veritable army of individuals tapping dutifully on their keyboards from all around the world. And for those who aren’t blogging, there are still brigades of those tweeting and providing regular status updates on facebook. All of which can seem very much like overkill.

But maybe it isn’t.

I’ve been listening to …

Brown Rice Pudding

March 29, 2010 by Charles 4 Comments

In my legal world, I’m accustomed to starting things fresh. Every case requires its own study; every case presents its own facts and presentation of the law. It’s why the Circuit Courts can direct their District Courts in opposite directions. It’s why a simple car accident can take its litigants to the Supreme Court, and it’s why the Justices there can split their vote. Even the same case presents itself differently to different viewers.

Last week, I should have brought this understanding to my cooking world.

After making rice pudding with white rice, I copied the recipe …

Lentil and Penne Soup

March 1, 2010 by Charles 4 Comments

Some days you feel like a home-cooked meal. But most often, that time is after a long day at work, when you least feel like spending the remaining hours of the evening waiting in a checkout line.

That was me the other day.

Walking to my car, lips chapped and cheeks red, I just wanted to head home, where I could kick my feet up and turn on the television. I was in no mood to bundle up, break out a grocery list, and trudge through the aisles. After all, Jon Stewart and a warm apartment were waiting.

So when I got home, I flipped on the DVR, and checked…

Red Beans and Rice

February 4, 2010 by Charles 2 Comments

Memories are a funny thing. I look back at certain events or times, and wonder what it was that made a certain scene memorable, that gave it such staying power.

With childhood memories, the question evokes a stronger response – owing, perhaps, to the idea that a memory resonates with more emotion the more distant it seems. There’s something inspiring and captivating about looking back in your subconscious and finding a picture of yourself at a younger, more exciting age.

There I am, 20 years old, turning a corner outside of a Paris cafe, and bumping into the Prime Minister. There I am, 18 years old, sweating under the bright lights of my high-school…