VittlesVamp

Fresh Figs Make Me Think Of "I, Claudius"

Anyone else remember that critical moment in "I, Claudius" when Emperor Augustus, recognizing his wife Livia's murderous treachery, decides to eat a diet of only ripe figs he picks himself from the palace garden? Nonetheless, Augustus mysteriously worsens and dies.

Only after his death do we learn that Livia coated each and every piece of fruit on the tree with poison.

Death by fig.

And yet, when I see them at the local produce market, I can't help but pick up a few of these pitch-black plump beauties. Livia be damned, they are the perfect breakfast. I slice them to reveal their bright pink centers and serve them over a cloud of fresh ricotta, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with rosemary and sea salt.

A meal fit for an Emperor -- and most definitely for a Vamp.

Book Giveaway - The Kitchen Daughter

Every once in a while I like to move my kitchen -- move it to my bedside nightstand. Happily, I was able to do just that, reading "The Kitchen Daughter," a debut novel from author Jael McHenry. The book opens the door to a world that includes family secrets, ghosts brought to life through recipes and a love of cooking that leads to one woman's journey of self-discovery.

All in all, it's a very satisfying read with recipes served in each chapter as a bonus side dish.

One giveaway copy is up for grabs! Just post the the name of your favorite hand-me-down recipe from family or friends in comments below or Tweet it out with the hashtag #KDgiveaway and you'll be entered to win. The winner will be selected at random via Random.org on Monday at 5:00pm Eastern.

Cookbook Giveaway - "Quick-Fix Southern"

Don't those biscuits look good? Learn how to make 'em, along with other Southern staples like Three Cheese Grits, Lime Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes and Benne Seed Sugar Cookies, from a new cookbook destined to make your mouth water - "Quick-Fix Southern". The cookbook's author Rebecca Lang (who also happens to be a contributing editor for Southern Living magazine) promises homemade hospitality—Southern style—in 30 minutes or less.

Just comment below on your favorite Southern dish or send a Tweet with the hashtag #southernfix before end of day Sunday and you'll be in the running for a giveaway of this Dixie quick-fixie. The winner will be selected at random on Monday morning.

You know you want to get your Southern on!

Italian Comforts

There are times that the healing power of food is undeniable. Sometimes it is when a bowl of homemade Chicken Soup helps get rid of a debilitating cold. Sometimes it is more. Sometimes food and the act of taking to the kitchen soothes and cures on several levels at once.

Such was the case for journalist Paula Butturini, as she went through years of trying to emerge from the aftermath of her husband's severe gun shot wound and the debilitating chronic depression that followed. Finding comfort in the daily Italian rituals of cookery, Paula helped them both regain a foothold in life to ultimately reclaim the joy that once defined their relationship. Her memoir "Keeping the Feast: One Couple's Story of Love, Food, and Healing in Italy" is inspiring. In fact, it inspired me to pluck open another book - Marcella Hazan's "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking."

Listening to Marcella's words of wisdom, I found deep satisfaction in a simple Tomato and Basil Salad. I found pleasure in stirring a creamy Asparagus Risotto, tossing in a pat of creamery butter and sprinkling grated Parmesan atop. And, I discovered contentment and grace in a bowl of farmer's market-fresh strawberries, bright red and juicy, topped with a fluffy mound of Sheep's Milk Ricotta and drizzled with golden honey.

My dining table has never been so restorative.

Ground Black Pepper - The Australian Incident

This story from the BBC must be read to be believed.

Confections On The Page

Can't seem to kick this reading habit of mine.

Most recently, the object of my literary affection has been a confection - "Confections of a Closet Master Baker" to be exact.

When I picked up [this memoir] by Gesine Bullock-Prado, I noted the irony of the timing. Bullock-Prado's superstar sister Sandra Bullock had just won her first Academy Award. By the time I had finished the memoir, the actress's marital woes were splashed all over the blogosphere and celebrity rags...

To read on, check out my review on The Book Studio.

Licking The Pages

My mouth waters at the image of an elegant eclair, its pate choux puffed up and golden brown, decadently glazed in shiny dark chocolate ganache. Do I dare turn the page? I do!

Tempted to read on? Click on this link to The Book Studio to check out my book review of "Paris Patisseries: History, Shops, Recipes."

Once The Leftovers Are Over

Once I've packed away all the leftover Thanksgiving fixings, from the stray drumstick to the Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes, it seems time for a fast. And, if not a fast, at least a slow down until the one-two-punch of my mid-December birthday and the onslaught of holiday parties.

So, it was refreshing to peruse a lighter, brighter food-related book, when the refined "Sushi: food for the eye, the body & soul" landed on my doorstep. A veritable bible exploring the world of sushi, the book evokes a calm precision and unfettered beauty that quiets the over-saturated mind and growling stomach after one too many helpings of Currant & Pinenut Stuffing and Pumpkin Gelato.

Making it all the more engaging, the book was written by a Danish professor of biophysics with a long-standing interest in gastronomy and its scientific basis.

Hmmm...From Denmark, eh?

Sushi followed by Ebelskivers! Might be just the ticket!

Oh my. Guess that whole "lighter, brighter" thing didn't last too long.

Reviewing Eating Animals

So, for my 1000th post on VittlesVamp, I point you to my review of Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals" on TheBookStudio.com.

Needless to say, I'm still a meat-eater.

Book Bites With Bittman

I once again take to the page for TheBookStudio.com, penning a review of Mark Bittman's latest cookbook Kitchen Express. This time around, I tried my hand at a couple recipes in the book, including the BLT Salad picture above, graced with a rich, citrusy Avocado Dressing. Put it in a tortilla and you've got a whole meal!