Shrimp and Grits

October 28, 2011 Clare Schapiro

I couldn't be more delighted that the chilly winds that are blowing around, sending the maple leaves swirling and opening up our view of the James more and more with each passing moment, are bringing a succession of my beloved friends from all over the world to visit in the coming weeks.

First up this week was my adored friend Sarah Hazlegrove who dropped in from her whirlwind "Tobacco People" project which is taking her to seemingly every corner of the globe. I caught a glimpse of her between Indonesia and Brazil, as well as her more usual France, and was even able to turn my camera on her. What a nice change as she she's always taking my picture, as you can see from her handiwork on my "about me" page. She's some photographer.

Sea Salt Encrusted Roast Chicken

September 23, 2011 Clare Schapiro

Perhaps it's that first autumnal nip in the air, perhaps it's just the usual busy week, but I was again reminded that possibly my all time favorite, easiest comfort food dinner of all just may be roast chicken.

Talk about easy--at least the way I habitually make it--and talk about delicious. As with all things, the results are going to be very dependent on the quality of ingredients, so, for the sake of argument, let's just assume you're going to come up with the very best, freshest and hopefully non-battery raised bird you can find.

Shrimp, Chicken, and Andouille Gumbo

September 9, 2011 Clare Schapiro

In the utter silence that cloaks my house this afternoon, it's hard to believe that two weeks ago today things were rockin' and rollin' around here. The College of William and Mary had just elected to close ahead of the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene. With that, Felix and five hall mates who had been together for all of six days followed their "personal evaluation plans" and came to roost here for the storm.

Orecchiette with Sweet Italian Sausage

June 27, 2011 Clare Schapiro

Having just spent a wonderful few days in New Orleans, I'm refreshed and full of lots of ideas. The food there was stupendous, of course: red fish, black drum, banana praline bread pudding--well, you get the idea. All that, plus hanging out with some of the best people the world has to offer: urban librarians. Talk about a happy break full of lots of interesting ideas.

Anyway, back at home I seem to have adopted my own attitude of the "Big Easy," in other words, with minimal effort, getting something on the table that satisfies the teenaged carnivore, and, well, everyone else too.