What we’re growing, eating, and doing.

Recipes from the American South by Michael W. Twitty (and fried apples)

By Eliot, on March 28th, 2026%

I reviewed another Twitty book many years ago for Cook the Books. As Recipes from The American South was on many “best of 2025” lists, I added it to my long library wait list. It finally arrived.

About the book:

A home cook’s guide to one of America’s most diverse – and delicious . . . → Read More: Recipes from the American South by Michael W. Twitty (and fried apples)

The Coffee Purist: A Book Review

By Eliot, on March 15th, 2026%

Humor me. There’s a couple of PSAs in this post. It’s long. But, if you’re a coffee drinker, please seek out this book (from your independent bookstore) . . . → Read More: The Coffee Purist: A Book Review

Prompt 3

By Eliot, on February 24th, 2026%

Here is my third foray with the writing exercise prompts from Bite by Bite and Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

Spice is nice: What is your favorite spice? Coriander? Cardamom? Cumin? Look up the healing properties and/or folklore of that spice and create a scene where a character uses that spice to heal someone.

Well, this is . . . → Read More: Prompt 3

Prompt 2

By Eliot, on February 15th, 2026%

I’m continuing with a writing exercise prompted by Bite by Bite and Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

Prompt 2:

Taste the rainbow: write a poem or lyric essay in seven segments, with each segment of the piece representing a food color of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

What is the food rainbow . . . → Read More: Prompt 2

Bite by Bite for Cook the Books

By Eliot, on January 29th, 2026%

Snowmageddon hit so I wasn’t able to make it to the store for my preferred recipe to highlight this book. But, I did have everything to make chicken curry. . . . → Read More: Bite by Bite for Cook the Books

Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride, a review

By Eliot, on September 17th, 2025%

I’m continuing on with my Best of 2025 cookbooks. For my most recent reviews, I’ve pulled from Epicurious’ list, “The Best Cookbooks of Summer 2025.” Potluck Desserts is the first book on the summer list. Today’s review is all about the sweet. If you need a book that yields large quantities of retro (yet modern) desserts, this is the book for you. . . . → Read More: Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride, a review

Super Hot Pepper Vinegar

By Eliot, on September 13th, 2025%

What is this? It’s not another cookbook review.

Today I am posting about more free produce. (Read about my surplus of free strawberries here.) One of The Hubs friend’s prides himself on growing the hottest of hot peppers. He will usually send some our way and has been supplying us with jalapenos all summer. . . . → Read More: Super Hot Pepper Vinegar

Family Style by Peter Som

By Eliot, on July 12th, 2025%

Peter Som’s Family Style is an inventive and genius cookbook full of family stories (and delicious recipes). . . . → Read More: Family Style by Peter Som

A Review: by Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear by Hailee Catalano

By Eliot, on June 14th, 2025%

I’m not even sure where I heard or read about this cookbook. It had to be on a “best of 2025” list. Regardless, I want to share about this book today. It deserves to be on a “best of” list for certain.

About the book:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERLearn to make elevated, professional-quality meals in . . . → Read More: A Review: by Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear by Hailee Catalano

What I’m reading….

By Eliot, on February 4th, 2025%

If you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of all over the place with my posts recently. There was the retro rant about days gone by and a book slamming review. I’ve also been revisiting old drafts and trying to rework them to see the light of day.

I’m reading more and more in the evenings . . . → Read More: What I’m reading….

Eliot's Eats