Monthly Archives: January 2013

Thick Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon, a quiet triumph

Thick hot chocolate, Maureen Abood

There are certain things we have eaten in their very finest forms that stay with us, that won’t leave us alone until we eat them again. My list of such finery does not include chicken wings, devotees of which seem … Continue reading

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Favorite Things: Little Cups

Little cups 2 POST

First off, hello and welcome to those of you who are new to Rose Water & Orange Blossoms. I welcome you, we all welcome you! If you were here in my kitchen on Main Street today, up north in Michigan, … Continue reading

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Postcard from Up North

Winter Bluff 2 POST

They were dancing around the fountain, arm in arm in an old Dutch dance, their cheeks touching, their hands entwined. They had no music; they hummed. And there was no reason for them to be dancing that Peter Lake could … Continue reading

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French Lentils with Dijon

Lentils in Apilco2 POST

The Lebanese, we love our lentils. There is mujadara. There is lentil soup. In some instances (never my own) there are pureed lentils and onions that call themselves mujadara. That about sums up our lentil repertoire, at least from my … Continue reading

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Technique: An easy way to sort lentils

Lentils sheet pan POST

Yes, we are talking about lentils. Chocolate will be on the docket again soon enough… It may seem like a step you can skip, sorting through the lentils before cooking them. But once you discover that not all that is … Continue reading

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Favorite Things: White Apilco French Porcelain

Apilco gratin dish window POST

When you run around with children of a certain age, favorite colors are a frequent topic of conversation. The girls are in the purple, pink, and rainbow camp (rainbow is its own a color, in case you didn’t know, just … Continue reading

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Postcard from Minnesota

Minnesota Ice Fishing POST

What day is it? It’s today, squeaked Piglet. My favorite day, said Pooh. ~A. A. Milne (Ice fishing on Lake Minnetonka, Orono, Minnesota. View from a new baby’s room, where today is always a favorite day.)

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Apricot-Walnut Granola with Orange Blossom, and a new life

Granola Weck POST

I haven’t heard my father’s name spoken so many times in the 12 years since he died as I have in the last week. For the first time I truly understand, and I feel, the power of a namesake. It … Continue reading

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Ingredient: Coconut Chips

Coconut chips POST

Its color is pure, white as the driven snow. Its flavor: delicate, fresh, natural…and hinting not of driven snow but of a tropical beach far, far from here. With sunshine, a big blue umbrella. Afternoon piña coladas. The sweets-lover in … Continue reading

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Postcard from Up North

Barn in winter POST

The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. ~ Dalai Lama (Favorite barn in winter, Fletcher Road; warm-hearted red door.)

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Crunchy Roast Chickpeas with Za’atar, good and good for you

Chickpeas with zatar POST2

I know I’m far from alone in starting off the New Year with ideals of eating well. That’s the kind of commitment that will contribute to making the year a happy one. I spent the better part of last year … Continue reading

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Favorite Things: Symon’s General Store

Symon's facade POST

This is not so much a favorite thing as it is a favorite place. One that holds a treasure trove of favorite things, as all good General Stores do. I know this means you can’t run out and check out … Continue reading

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Your favorite recipes of 2012, and a new way to find them

Mujadara with fork POST

It is striking to me to see how, in the year and a half since Rose Water & Orange Blossoms came on the scene, there are certain posts that pull new visitors from around the world again and again to … Continue reading

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