Site Title

recent posts

about

Happy Birthday, Little Blog!

This weekend marked this blog's 4-year birthday, which just tickles me to no end. Four years! Holy cats. Happy birthday, little blog. You complete me.

I, of course, didn't realize it until this morning, so there was no birthday cake or candles or anything of the sort. I had a visitor in from out of town this weekend and was too busy showing off this beautiful city to raise a cupcake to the blog. Besides, it was way too hot for cupcakes. (Though we did have an entirely unexpected, truly delicious and completely random buffet lunch at Indus Express on 48th Street for the grand total of $9.95 each – not including the celebratory Taj Mahal beer! So I guess that kind of counts.)

Instead of letting the blog blow out candles to itself this year, I'm going to list a few sites I've discovered over the past year which have made me rather hungry indeed:

Slow Like Honey

Bread Baby

Not Without Salt

The Catskill Kiwi

Rachel Eats

Bread & Honey

Here's to you guys!

And then I'm going to tell you something thrilling. I'm leaving for Italy in a few days, for my annual trip, and this year, for the first time ever, there will be a grill at the house. I don't know what exactly it will look like (though I'm gunning for something rather crude and rustic, like a steel grate over a pile of coals piled into a hole dug in the ground. Wouldn't that be scenic? My mother, I think, might currently be in the process of a dramatic eyeroll, as we speak!), but I'm getting awfully excited about cooking with it. You see, I've pretty much mastered the stovetop, and the oven, and even the broiler, too. Now, after too many meals at other people's houses where the tables sat groaning under the weight of grilled tomatoes, salsiccie, bruschetta and whole ears of corn, I've decided we don't have to live like this anymore: we, too, can grill! And grill we will.

I'm bringing two recipes with me from the New York Times (one for a whole fish grilled in and on fresh fennel, and a recipe from Paula Wolfert for something called Roman steak), but seeing as I am a neophyte and it's my blog birthday, won't you guys inspire me with some of your grilling recipes, tips, secrets? I – and my co-eaters in Italy – thank you in advance.

Posted in

55 responses to “Happy Birthday, Little Blog!”

  1. BF Avatar
    BF

    happy birthday to the blog! here’s to many more.
    and a favorite grilled pizza recipe with eggplant and zucchini is here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Zucchini-and-Eggplant-Pizza-with-Tapenade-and-Fontina-232562
    can’t wait to hear more about your adventures (and grilling) in italy…

    Like

    Reply
  2. Alejandra Avatar
    Alejandra

    Happy Blog Birthday! I wish I knew more about grilling, but Manhattan apartments don’t lend themselves well to this. I’ve used the grill at my parents house a grand total of 4 times, 3 of those were for grilling fruit.
    Oh well that’s one thing I can urge you to try. Please grill some fruit! Stonefruit is perfect on the grill, but I really can’t think of anything that wouldn’t be. Oranges? Sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon & sugar? Bananas grilled inside the skin? Perhaps with little slits cut into them and tucked with pieces of dark chocolate…
    Oh! And pizza. I’ve been seeing these gorgeous rustic grilled pizzas just about everywhere lately. And in Italy with that perfect produce and incredible cheese…it’ll just be fantastic, I’m sure!
    I’m looking forward to reading about your grilling adventures!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Mama JJ Avatar
    Mama JJ

    Congratulations!
    No grill recipes here seeing as I don’t HAVE a grill. Boo-hoo, poor me, sob.

    Like

    Reply
  4. maggie Avatar
    maggie

    Oh, congrats! Happy birthday to one of my favorite blogs.
    & It will be so lovely to be in Italy! And grilling! I must say, lately I’ve loved just throwing oddball vegetables in some garlicky olive oil/salt and grilling—fava beans, leeks, garlic scapes etc etc. The beauty is in the simplicity. Would be fun to do random seafood too—clams? Lobsters? Octopus?
    I’m actually headed to Italy shortly too (Rome) and getting very, very excited.

    Like

    Reply
  5. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    Happy birthday…just lurve your blog…you write with such passion and joy and excitement…enjoy Italy!!

    Like

    Reply
  6. Victoria Avatar
    Victoria

    Happy Birthday Dear Blog.
    I don’t think that pork tenderloin teriyaki is a good recipe to bring to Italy, but I do think Marcella’s grilled shrimp might be in order. http://vicsrecipes.blogspot.com/2007/01/grilled-shrimp-skewers.html
    And lamb chops just salted and bathed in olive oil are lovely, lovely, lovely when grilled, especially since it sounds like you might actually be grilling over wood.
    Have a wonderful, wonderful trip. I must say, I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. I know your mother will be so happy to see you – and vice versa. Oh, grilled lamb chops, garlicky mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, and arugula salad – sounds pretty much like heaven to me.
    Get a copy of The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton so you have something interesting and imagination-capturing to read on the plane.
    Be happy; eat well.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Aw you are so sweet to put my blog on your reading list! I have followed your blog, all four years, and I’ve loved every post. I hope you have a great time in Italy!!

    Like

    Reply
  8. Rose-Anne Avatar
    Rose-Anne

    Happy blog birthday, Wednesday Chef! You continue to inspire me and nudge me into the kitchen with your outstanding recipes and prose. I just love it around here.
    I have no grill either, but I do have friends with grills, and this tabbouleh with grilled vegetables is one of their favorite summertime staples:
    http://lifeloveandfood24.blogspot.com/2008/06/grill-eat-repeat.html
    I love friends with grills 🙂 Their tabbouleh is phenomenally good!

    Like

    Reply
  9. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Happy Birthday! I hope you have a really great trip in Italy.
    I’ve been following your blog for awhile now and just started my own. I added you to my blogroll. Hope you stop by sometime!

    Like

    Reply
  10. Hillary Avatar
    Hillary

    Congratulations on 4 years! I like your way of celebrating by mentioning other blogs who have inspired you. Very nice!

    Like

    Reply
  11. Giff Avatar
    Giff

    Happy bloggabirthday and thanks for the new blogs to go check out. Have a great trip. As for grilling ideas, with pork I just keep on coming back to a simple dry rub of salt, brown sugar, coriander seed, smoked paprika, cumin, mustard seed and black pepper (with the seeds pounded up in a mortar). I mix up the ratios but usually have 2 units of salt and brown sugar for every 1 unit of the rest, and maybe 1/2 a unit for the black pepper. Whether on seared pork chops or slow-cooked ribs, it’s fabulous.

    Like

    Reply
  12. m Avatar
    m

    I have been told that a broiler and a grill are just upside down versions of each other. That advice doesn’t seem to help me with broiling but hopefully it helps you with grilling.

    Like

    Reply
  13. ciaochowlinda Avatar
    ciaochowlinda

    Happy Blogiversary. I celebrated my First over the weekend. You’re three years in the vanguard dearie. Have a ball in Italy and grill some ripe peaches while you’re at it. Serve over some ice cream with a splash of some liqueur and you’ve got a dreamy dessert.

    Like

    Reply
  14. MollyCookie Avatar
    MollyCookie

    Happy Birthday! Four years is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations!

    Like

    Reply
  15. The Food Hunter Avatar
    The Food Hunter

    Happy blog birthday and have a great trip.

    Like

    Reply
  16. rachel Avatar
    rachel

    When I was in sicily a few years ago we (after much searching and the wierdest meal ever in the oddest osteria ever) found this little place which served the most wonderful food. There was an outside grill over a food fire and they grilled sea bass and while it was cooking they basted it with a sprig of rosemary dipped in olive oil. They served the fish with grilled courgettes and caponata.
    It was a good meal.
    I hope you have a good holiday, I think you will, it’s hot here and very much summer but you can feel the gentle turm towards autumn which is welcome, balmy, lovely.
    The tomatoes are tasting mighty fine here and Your link made me mighty happy.

    Like

    Reply
  17. TheKitchenWitch Avatar
    TheKitchenWitch

    Happy Birthday, Blog! I just discovered you this year, but I’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment/inspiration from you.
    Have a wonderful time in Italy!
    I have just started grilling myself, albeit on a gas grill. A few ideas you might want to tinker with:
    Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes: http://thekitchwitch.blogspot.com/2009/06/family-dinner-4-stuffed-grilled.html
    Grilled Portobello Parmesan:
    http://thekitchwitch.blogspot.com/2009/07/for-veg-heads-grilled-portobello.html
    Grilled Pizza:
    http://thekitchwitch.blogspot.com/2009/07/cooking-together-grilled-pizza.html
    Happy grilling! I’ll be following you along, hoping to hear what you learn!

    Like

    Reply
  18. Lisa (dinner party) Avatar
    Lisa (dinner party)

    Stone fruit? Corn? Pizza? Whatever you make, have a wonderful trip and happy blog-iversary!

    Like

    Reply
  19. bethh Avatar
    bethh

    I had the most amazing grilled corn recently.
    1. peel back the husk so you can remove the corn silk
    2. put the husk back in place
    3. soak in ice water for a while – you want the husks nice and wet
    4. grill, turning often, for about 20 minutes.
    enjoy! and happy blog-birthday! I love your posts.

    Like

    Reply
  20. chez danisse Avatar
    chez danisse

    I’d never visited Not Without Salt and, wow…I was just blown away. Amazingly beautiful and oh so enticing! Thanks for the introduction.

    Like

    Reply
  21. thecatskillkiwi Avatar
    thecatskillkiwi

    just tickled pink at the mention!
    have a great time in Italy…

    Like

    Reply
  22. sonya Avatar
    sonya

    Happy Birthday to the Wednesday Chef! E buona appetita en italia, Luisa. I join the chorus of inexperienced grillers, so can’t add any tidbits… BUT (and I don’t know if you will be there when funghi season starts) I imagine grilling mushrooms would be divine. Have a lovely trip, I look forward to seeing/reading your grilling adventures.

    Like

    Reply
  23. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    Happy birthday to the blog! I don’t remember how I found you, but I think I must have been following along for most of that time. Thanks for keeping it up!
    Thanks for the new blog recommendations, too. Lovely.
    I’m vegetarian, so no carne asada or the like, but I got a little grill this spring and have been enjoying: asparagus (not since June, though); tofu marinated in a maple-dijon sauce; scallions like crazy from the farmers market to mix into rice; zucchini and New Mexico peppers from my garden (mixed into rice or pasta of over polenta); foil packets of potatoes and onions; corn ( I prepare it like bethh, above) with butter, salt, cayenne and a squeeze of lime; and I’m dying to try grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream, but every peach I have has been going into jam lately.
    But what tends to impress is grilled pizza. Margherita is my favorite. Just make the crust thin and have everything ready (toppings pre-cooked) to toss on after you’ve grilled the first side. It’s very quick.
    Thanks again for the blog, and bon voyage (or buon viaggio…)!

    Like

    Reply
  24. Kim (Edible/Usable) Avatar
    Kim (Edible/Usable)

    Happy anniversary! Thanks for the links to the other blogs. There are SO many food blogs out there that it’s really nice to see other bloggers calling out exceptional ones in actual blog posts rather than just listing them in a blog roll.
    Thanks for the recipes and have a great trip!

    Like

    Reply
  25. fried blue Avatar
    fried blue

    Happy Birthday 🙂
    I discovered your blog only recently and have been enjoying perusing through your recipes. I esecially enjoy your writing. Have fun in Italy.

    Like

    Reply
  26. johanna Avatar
    johanna

    happy birthday! grilled peaches are nice in the summer – just halve them and brush with olive oil and grill cut side down (leave the skin on – you can remove while eating). they are great with ice cream obiovusly or with like grilled chicken and salad. hope you have a nice holiday!

    Like

    Reply
  27. marie Avatar
    marie

    Grilled butterfly leg of lamb is so easy and wonderful..marinade with balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary..whatever you like for up to 24 hrs…grill about 10 minutes per side until 125 degrees…can also grill fennel alongside…enjoy you trip….

    Like

    Reply
  28. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Congrats & happy anniversary (birthday?) !!!
    Alas, our grill is used as a plant trellis. It was swallowed up by our garden for this purpose a few years back. Oh well. Have fun!

    Like

    Reply
  29. Esther Avatar
    Esther

    happy birthday!!

    Like

    Reply
  30. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    My favorite way to cook zucchini is to grill it — sounds so plain and simple, but still my favorite. Brush with a little olive oil, S&P and grill — even a little charred it ok and maybe even better.

    Like

    Reply
  31. Jean Avatar
    Jean

    Corn – husked, rolled in olive oil and salt and pepper grilled for about ten minutes – cut off the cob and served as a salad with tomatoes with endless variations of additional ingredients and dressings (see also the salad from the minimalist last week only adapt for the grill). Always delicious and very summery as a side dish for grilled meat or fish.
    Lamb backstrap or fillet, or even a whole deboned shoulder or leg (increase marinade) marinated in a marinade of the zest of one lemon, one tablespoon of cumin seeds, one tablespoon of fresh rosemary leaves pounded in mortar and pestle, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika and of chilli, moistened with olive oil. Grill to pink, slice and serve with watermelon, feta, olive, mint and parsley salad and flat bread.

    Like

    Reply
  32. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Congratulations! I am raising my glass to you, and to the deliciousness I always find here..
    About grilling: I often, in our camping days, especially in drizzly Brittany, missed some starch with the grilled meat and fish, something other than baguette or baked potatoes. On those occasions, I layered thinly sliced spuds on half a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminium foil (leaving the edges free), with thinly sliced onions and garlic and salt and pepper, and sometimes some fresc chopped herbs. I then folded the empty foil over the full foil, and folded all the edges closes except for a small corner, and poured whipping cream through the gap, tilting the package slightly to get the cream all around before folding the last bit shut. The package went onto the grill – giving it lots of time – and when it was done (I can’t remember how long it took! It’s been ages since we camped!)we had gorgeous scalloped potatoes to accompany our saucisses. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  33. Shawna Avatar
    Shawna

    Congratulations on four years a’bloggin! You are very entertaining and I have enjoyed the ride along your travels, cried with you during tribulations and eaten lots of delicious food from the recipes. Have a safe and relaxing time in Italy! Any room in your suitcase for a short, scrawny girl? 🙂
    On grilling, we do lots of pineapple and in many ways. Slice off the skin and cut in rounds (no need to core!) and after turning once, a nice bit of prosciutto plunked on top, omg I’m getting HONGRY! We grow a type of Rosemary called “Barbecue” that has very straight upright stems, perfect for skewers. I coulda sent you some to stash away with me in that suitcase! Can’t wait to see your pics, did you get your camera back yet?

    Like

    Reply
  34. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    Thanks so much for the shout out! I’m a big fan of your blog myself. Have a fantastic trip!

    Like

    Reply
  35. Gemma Avatar
    Gemma

    Happy birthday! Have a great trip to Italy and enjoy the grill.

    Like

    Reply
  36. Bobbie Avatar
    Bobbie

    I second the grilled asparagus, which we discovered this spring. We also do a lot of sliced onions, whole or sliced peppers, zucchini, summer squash, and any other veggies, really, brushed with olive oil and salt & pepper, fresh herbs if I think of it. A grill topper with smaller holes, brushed with oil, is helpful for keeping smaller foods from falling through the grate.
    In the meat dept., I also second butterflied leg of lamb, our marinated in olive oil, red wine, garlic & herbs. A favorite celebration meal. Other meats that work well for us include pork tenderloin, country-style ribs, and, of course chicken, all with dry rubs. Italian sausages, too! Finally, any fish that will hold together is great, as long as you manage not to overcook/dry it out. Swordfish is my favorite. Just a little oil is all that’s needed.
    Enjoy!

    Like

    Reply
  37. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    happy birthday! i love grilled shrimp. with brown sugar and cumin. mmmm…
    also, i do bethh’s recipe for grilling corn, but instead of cold water i use cold gerwertztraminer! yum.

    Like

    Reply
  38. Basil on my mind Avatar
    Basil on my mind

    Happy Birthday!!! New to your blog and looking forward to seeing/reading your grilling adventures.

    Like

    Reply
  39. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Happy blog birthday! I wish you many more years of happy eating and scrumptious writing. Cheers!

    Like

    Reply
  40. Tamara Cail Avatar
    Tamara Cail

    Luisa, I am de-lurking to offer my congratulations on 4 successful blogging years. I do so enjoy your observations and taste in food. As a resident of Alberta, Canada, renowned for our beef, our BBQ of choice is steak. Our simple, sweet secret is to marinate 24 hrs in worcestershire sauce, liberally sprinkle with Montreal steak spice and get a good initial sear. The savoury-sweet smokiness is a hit every time. BTW, we tried the Paula Wolfert Florentine recipe and found it quite disappointing, at least for our palate. I will be interested to hear your feedback. Looking forward to further great blogging years!

    Like

    Reply
  41. Meg Avatar
    Meg

    Happy blog bday! It was the Hungry Roach bday yesterday – great weekend for blog births!

    Like

    Reply
  42. Kelsey/TheNaptimeChef Avatar
    Kelsey/TheNaptimeChef

    Happy blog birthday! And, more importantly, have a great time in Italy!

    Like

    Reply
  43. alilcia Avatar
    alilcia

    Here’s another blog to check out if you get a chance: http://giverslog.com/?aboutme
    It and your blog are my two all-time favorites.

    Like

    Reply
  44. Luisa Avatar
    Luisa

    Maggie – have a lovely trip!
    Victoria – thanks for the book rec. I need something good to read. Also, those shrimp, holy wow. Thanks.
    M – that’s such an interesting thought. I’ll try to keep it in mind this weekend. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  45. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    When we went to Italy and rented a villa, we bought quail at the co-op. We wrapped them with pancetta, seasoned with rosemary, salt and pepper and grilled them over coals. Wonderful!

    Like

    Reply
  46. kim Avatar
    kim

    Happy Bday! Great efforts all the way! May you have more blogging years to come!

    Like

    Reply
  47. this humble abode Avatar
    this humble abode

    Oh, so jealous of your trip. I lived in Italy for almost a year but haven’t been back. I don’t remember ever seeing bok choy there, but it is amazing grilled.
    I ate grilled peaches with feta cheese recently and would recommend that.
    Cin cin!

    Like

    Reply
  48. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    No grilling advice from here but happy birthday to one of the very first food blogs I discovered and the once I’ve read most regularly over the years. You’re a wonderful writer and I love the things you cook! Here’s hoping you feel inspired to blog for many, many more years to come.

    Like

    Reply
  49. ecentipede Avatar
    ecentipede

    i’ve just been reading your blog for a short while, and am glad to hear there are so many years of posts for me to read later…
    two things about grilling–don’t know what the produce seasons are like in italy, but if at all possible, grill leeks. must grill leeks.
    also, when making marinades (which will stay on for two whole days, if in our house) reserve a cup or so that doesn’t contact raw proteins. while meat is resting reduce the marinade by half, strain if necessary, and you have instant complimentary sauce for spooning. can also play at this point with adding any variety of delicious dairy that suits your fancy.
    have so much fun with the grill!

    Like

    Reply
  50. Brettne Avatar
    Brettne

    Happy Happy Birthday to the most delicious blog on the web! Have a great trip, can’t wait to read all about it.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to bethh Cancel reply