http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/index A blog from Alison and Shannon about making the most of cooking with your friends en ajbermack@msn.com Copyright 2010 2010-08-30T12:33:01-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/just-peachy/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/just-peachy/#When:12:33:01Z Jackie had just returned from nearly three weeks away when she texted me --“Want to hang out and cook something today?” It was a muggy Monday, and I was dragging a bit, still hoping to come up with something to do with the kids. “Sure,” I said, “but there’s a catch—we have to use peaches since I have pounds and pounds of them from my CSA.” 2010-08-30T12:33:01-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/summer-stories/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/summer-stories/#When:13:18:01Z Summer is a funny time in the kitchen, always crowded and crazy. As friends come and go on vacation, the kitchen becomes a place to catch up while cooking something quick. It’s Grand Central terminal, where friends connect, often briefly, before moving on to someplace else. 2010-08-23T13:18:01-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/pesto-and-more-for-friends-in-need/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/pesto-and-more-for-friends-in-need/#When:13:39:02Z Early on this summer one of our friends was in a major accident. We’re thrilled he’s doing great now, the neck brace is off and the whole family is on the mend. While Alison and I have been advocating helping friends in need for years, I have to say I learned more this time than ever, as three of us coordinated food and help for the family from about 50 dedicated friends. 2010-08-19T13:39:02-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/it-sauce-making-time/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/it-sauce-making-time/#When:13:20:00Z The tomatoes here in New Jersey are better than they’ve been in years. I’m getting 5 pounds of firm and beautiful organic beefsteaks this year with my CSA share instead of the measly ½ pound like last year. 2010-08-16T13:20:00-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/what-looks-good-in-the-garden/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/what-looks-good-in-the-garden/#When:13:08:01Z Over the past few weeks we’ve been lucky to have a steady stream of friends and relatives visiting from New Jersey, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix. When dinnertime rolls around, as some of us are cooking in the kitchen, we send others out back to the garden with the question: “What looks good in the garden?” 2010-08-12T13:08:01-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/muffin-monday/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/muffin-monday/#When:14:09:01Z I look forward to those overcast summer days, when the sun isn’t shining or it’s supposed to rain. It’s an excuse to stay indoors, cooking and spending time with a friend.  2010-08-09T14:09:01-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/green-chiles-and-green-bay-chili/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/green-chiles-and-green-bay-chili/#When:13:38:00Z After living in eight states from Colorado to Wisconsin to Massachusetts throughout my life, I’ve always found that each place has its own surprising and particular foods and ways of eating. I’d never had the super-hot Hatch Chiles before living in Denver, or Fish Fry Friday with Walleye before coming to Madison. 2010-08-05T13:38:00-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/food-conversations/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/food-conversations/#When:12:15:01Z Whether I’m catching up curbside with a neighbor or fielding text messages from friends, one of the pleasures of being a known food nut is hearing the day-to-day cooking stories and anxieties of those around me.  2010-08-02T12:15:01-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/summertime-drinks/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/summertime-drinks/#When:13:19:00Z In so many of our gatherings with friends lately, summertime drinks have set the stage, offering a cool, colorful beginning to an event or dinner. 2010-07-29T13:19:00-06:00 http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/the-tables-were-turned/ http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/blog/detail/the-tables-were-turned/#When:11:11:00Z Six courses, each one farm fresh, carefully prepared and creatively plated. 2010-07-26T11:11:00-06:00