Make half-sour pickles with a refrigerator ferment
If you know deli lingo, you know that half-sour pickles are crunchy, bright-green pickles, not the duller green of more familiar long-soured pickles. Half sours have a distinct snap and much gentler flavor. This recipe from our cookbook "Cold Canning" is our first refrigerator ferment: ...
Michael Mina shares the recipe for an Alexandria-inspired steak sandwich recipe
Not far from the Corniche along the Eastern Harbor in Alexandria, Egypt, there's El Fallah, a tiny place that only makes one thing: liver sandwiches. You say liver sandwich in Alexandria and people know you're talking about this spot — it's so famous that the owner has dozens of pictures of ...
Cleaning up after a frightening storm
It is already 1 p.m. and I need to stay seated long enough to write this column. My list for today isn't getting done like I wanted to. Daughter Loretta and her children just left for home. She came over this morning and we ate breakfast, or rather brunch, together. First of all, I want to thank everyone for their birthday cards and gifts. It was greatly appreciated! How interesting to receive cards from over 20 states, Canada and Australia. Your words were all a great encouragement. Sometimes I feel like it's time-consuming to write every week but then when I hear your words of ...
DEAR ANNIE: Daughter-in-law distances herself after baby
DEAR ANNIE: I am heartbroken over my daughter-in-law’s sudden and painful change in behavior since the birth of our grandson a year ago. Before the baby was born, we had a warm relationship. For four years, she was sweet, kind and very much a part of our large extended family. She joined family trips, holidays and even our “happy birthday” text chains. We truly believed she felt invested in us. Since giving birth, however, she has almost completely cut off communication. She rarely answers texts or phone calls. We have offered to drop off meals, babysit so she can get her hair ...
HINTS FROM HELOISE:Touch base with loved ones daily
DEAR HELOISE: I read a letter about keeping track of elderly people who live alone and their pets. A friend of my mother’s was left three days after having a stroke before someone found her. After this, I began calling my mother daily at 8 a.m. She’d answer and say, “I don’t know anything,” and I’d say, “I don’t know anything.” Then, an hour later, we’d hang up after chatting. I miss these calls. Now I’m the one living alone, and I text my son daily that I’m OK. I also keep a bowl full of dry cat food for my Katie, just in case something happens. —Linda H., ...