Some mornings my grandma would show up on her bike at my childhood home with a basket of these, still warm, covered in cinnamon and sugar. For breakfast. When she would watch us, my sister and I would ask if she could make them. “Grandma, can you make apple raddles? Please? We have apples!” And occasionally she would when everything fell into place just so, and then life was complete. There was nothing better than one of these, straight out of the pan and into our mouths. So,... more

4 large apples 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup brandy 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1-1/2 cups flour pinch of salt 2 eggs, separated 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted oil or reconstituted clarified butter for frying 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon Peel and core apples. Slice into thin rounds. Mix together sugar, brandy and cinnamon. In a shallow pan, pour brandy mixture over apples. Let sit for 30 minutes, turning apples halfway through. In a large bowl sift flour and salt. Beat together milk and egg... more

We try to maintain active social lives, and even though the O6 are a busy family, we usually are able to cram all of our family commitments in and still have time for the occasional show at First Ave. , movie with the gang, or random gathering at a local dining establishment.  This was not the case last week.  We were invited to a happy hour at The Lyndale Tap House, a bar in Uptown Minneapolis which specializes in a classic Baltimore cuisine (yeah, I know, that sounds like an oxymoron) – pit... more

1 beef roast, 3-4 lbs, top round or tri tip 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tbsp fresh black pepper shaved white onions Sauce: combine the following 4 tbsp horseradish 1/4 cup sour cream 1 tsp dijon 1 tsp mayonnaise Trim the roast, coat well with salt and pepper.  Broil over a charcoal fire turning every 8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 135F.  Wrap in foil and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Slice the roast as thin as possible across the grain.  Place on a toasted Kaiser roll and top with onions... more

Kumquat’s face says it all. I managed to do it. We went to an apple orchard. We took pictures in the leaves later that day at the park. We painted pumpkins. Seasonal activities abound. I may not have cleaned my house this weekend, but I did get all of the grocery shopping done and found Kiwi a pair of basketball shoes for her first day tomorrow. I did manage to fulfill all of my social obligations, and I’m still in one piece. I have kind of an ambitious week planned in the food... more

My kids have been complaining lately and with good reason. I have been procrastinating something fierce with moving into the fall season. It hasn’t necessarily been intentional. No. It’s just that there has been so much to do and juggle that things like seasonal baking have gotten pushed aside to make room for coordinating the book fair, doctor’s appointments and work. The complaint has been the overall lack of seasonal decorations coming from the mouths of my children. They... more

1 whole roaster chicken 6 tablespoons butter at room temperature 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1-1/2 teaspoons cumin 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper 4 scallions chopped (whites and greens) 1/2 lime, juiced 8×10″ or larger brick heavy-duty aluminum foil Wrap brick in aluminum foil and place on grill. Light grill. Mix together 3 tablespoons of butter with the oregano, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of slat and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Rinse and dry the chicken. Using a... more