kitchen

Food As Art

Did you know food can be a culinary art form? Think about it for a sec. The plate simply becomes the canvas. If you look closely you may discover cultural expressions, creative discipline, and stimulating sensory engagement. Today’s photo is a perfect example. I recently discovered a charming artisan boutique, called Hazel Coasts in SW Florida. The owner, Lindsay Ghord, showcases textiles handmade in Tunisia. The linen table runner with lime green and light aqua accents immediately caught my eye! Wouldn’t you agree? And the best part is you can get one yourself through her online shop @hazelcoasts.

Memories, recent or past, enhance the tasteful journey of art when they tell a story. Although food as a physical form is temporary once it’s consumed, the drama begins when the plate is placed before you. Every recipe appears unique and seems to hold its own value. Reality sets in when that first bite is taken. To be honest, food would taste the same whether it appears as art or not. In my blog, I choose to turn the ordinary into extraordinary by making it visually stimulating. 

After over 4220 days in a row, some of my posts continue to be favored by Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (@gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest @Gail Dorna. It’s very easy to search for recipes there on the board entitled “Gail’s Kitchen Recipes”. I’d love to connect with you there as well. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Food is Art.” This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and daily words of encouragement.

Grocery List Ideas

Whether you live on a food budget (don’t we all?) or simply wait for cravings to hit, home-cooked meals need some sort of advanced planning. Otherwise, when you head to the grocery store…..all bets are off. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been found perusing the aisles while my stomach is growling “Feed Me”. It’s not uncommon to see customers nowadays munching on open bags of chips, snacks, or cookies as they shuffle down row after row hoping something, anything, will jump into their grocery cart and end this mealtime torture. Unfortunately, cashing out at the register could present a sticker shock when you surrender your credit card for payment. We’ve all been there. And although I’m happily married, double the cost when loved ones are there beside you. I see you shaking your head in surrender. It does keep life interesting, that’s for sure. On a brighter note, you will share the blame of extravagance together. 

By the way, thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own gourmet kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often.  Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch.  I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment.  Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction.  The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others.  And I love to share.  To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily.  Feel free to contact me with questions.  Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “WHAT’S COOKING IN GAIL’S KITCHEN: GROCERY LIST IDEAS!”

Stir. Spread. Flip. Repeat.

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? No matter how many kitchen utensils I have, it seems I am still drawn to another pretty silicone tool, olive wood spoon, unique cutting board, artisan pottery, and so forth. Call me quirky. I can easily justify new kitchenware the same way another woman justifies adding another pair of shoes to her wardrobe. It’s not about need; it’s about want. So, crank up the music, dance in bare feet, and twirl that fancy spatula like it’s a karaoke microphone. Cooking is fun! Some of my posts have been favored by “Le Cordon Bleu” and the “Food Network” on Twitter-X (Snapshotsincursive @DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (gail _dorna). You can even follow me on Pinterest at Gail Dorna. I’d love to connect with you. I also met Chef Michelle Tribble of Hell’s Kitchen reality cooking show. Fun times. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen: Stir. Spread. Flip. Repeat.” This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and daily words of encouragement. I couldn’t have come this far without you. 

Appetizers to Desserts

Everything has a beginning and an ending. Food is no different. It sets the stage for informal gatherings, romantic interludes, festive celebrations, and grande finales. From the first bite of crudité to the last sip of coffee, the entire experience can be extraordinary. If you agree with me, pull up a chair for “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Appetizers to Desserts!”  In a short time of blogging, the response continues to amaze me on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen.   I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often.  Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch.  I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment.  Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction.  The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others.  And I love to share.  To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily.  Feel free to contact me with questions.  Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: APPETIZERS TO DESSERTS!”

Test Kitchen Favorites

It’s no secret restaurants have a way of drawing people in with seasonal offerings and unique dishes. I’m guilty of trying to copycat a certain dish afterwards when the craving hits me out of nowhere. Practice makes perfect, you know, just as tweaking a recipe to match the food preferences in the daily menus. It doesn’t get more satisfying than that. In Gail’s Kitchen I have no one to blame if something goes awry. Pull up a chair and read on. With over ten years of daily posts, the response continues to amaze me on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support and moving words of encouragement. I’m also on Instagram @gail_dorna and Pinterest @gaildorna. Please check it out. It’s an easy way to save recipes you favor. Ready? Set? Go! Take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: TEST KITCHEN FAVORITES!”

A Burst of Flavor!

Herbs and spices make all the difference in Gail’s Kitchen. Whether it’s fresh, dried, or a liquid extract, adding herbs enhances the flavor of any dish. And compliments it. Maybe it’s time to cut back on the salt a little bit in exchange for a little zing! Time flies on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. Follow me on Facebook at Gail Dorna, on Instagram @gail_dorna or Pinterest @gaildorna. What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own gourmet kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. Feel free to contact me with questions. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: A BURST OF FLAVOR!”

The Daily Special

Gail’s Kitchen seems to be open 24 hours a day. Pull up a chair for “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: The Daily Special!” With over 3000 posts, the response continues to amaze me on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support and moving words of encouragement. I’m also on Instagram @gail_dorna and Pinterest @gaildorna. Please check it out. 

What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own “gourmet” kitchen.   I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often.  Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch.  I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment.  Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction.  The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others.  And I love to share.  To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily.  Feel free to contact me with questions.  Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: THE DAILY SPECIAL!”

A Symphony of Flavors

Our taste buds can actually embody the most unusual combinations of food. By paying attention to our sense of taste we can embark on a daily adventure of the palate. Feeling energetic? Incorporate tangy foods with slightly sweet ingredients. Or perhaps you may be in the mood for an earthy partner with a rich, honeycomb nectar. Just as music triggers past experiences and emotions, food has the ability to transport us places we’ve been years ago. I often cook while listening to music, don’t you? It might be a lively song that matches the rhythm of stirring cake batter and icing. (After all, wooden spoons make great microphones!) Then again, sashaying from one end of the kitchen to another for various ingredients and utensils can feel like dancing. Who knew? Whatever your style, embrace each challenge like a symphony conductor. Some of my posts continue to be favored by Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (@gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest @Gail Dorna. It’s very easy to search for recipes there on the board entitled “Gail’s Kitchen Recipes”. I’d love to connect with you there as well. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: A Symphony of Flavors”. This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and daily words of encouragement.

Uplifting Aromas

Remember the early days of learning to cook? Was it 4-H or junior high Home Economics? It may have been in grandma’s kitchen using mid century utensils, chipped ironstone, and aluminum pots or mother’s enamelware , melmac, and plastic storage containers in harvest gold. Perhaps you even inherited a coveted cast iron skillet, the workhorse staple dating back to 1890. In any event, we all have those built-in memories of homemade favorites wafting through a lifetime of uplifting aromas. Sure, techniques have changed and improved, but that’s kinda the point. Everyone can be an expert. I’d like to think so.  Some of my posts have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter (Snapshotsincursive @DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest at Gail Dorna. I’d love to connect with you there as well. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Uplifting Aromas!” This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and daily words of encouragement.