Dino-chow | theclothesmakethegirl

May 16, 2013 Posted by Mel

Czech Garlic Soup

Just as we were preparing to leave on our trip a few weeks ago, Dave started to get the sniffles. By the time we landed in the Czech Republic, he had a full-blown head cold, and a few days later, I was taken out by germs, too. The weather in Prague was rainy and cool — perfect for my black leather jacket and a bowl of fortifying Czech Garlic Soup (in Czech: česnečka) at the pub around the corner from... read more

Apr 25, 2013 Posted by Mel

The “Best Chicken” Throw Down

Dig this cover from Men’s Health: Harumph, I say. I’ve got The Best Chicken You Will Ever Eat right... read more

Apr 7, 2013 Posted by Mel

Spice World

Not this one: This one: If you’ve cooked recipes from my blog or my cookbook Well Fed, you know I’m quite smitten with spices. Where would we be without Ras el Hanout, Turkish Baharat, Kebab Spice Mix, and Rogan Josh?! I’ve written extensively about my spice collection, weighed in on herbs vs. spices, shared my pilgrimages to Penzeys and the Savory Spice Shop, and declare proudly... read more

Mar 30, 2013 Posted by Mel

Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

I’m doing a cooking demo at the PaleoFX conference today, sautéeing up a batch of the sweetly-spiced Cauliflower Rice Pilaf from Well Fed, while wearing a microphone headset like Madonna. I may or may not vogue while on stage; the jury is still out. Since you all can’t be there with us, I thought I’d share the recipe, just in case you want to stir up a batch yourself. Vogue-ing... read more

Mar 14, 2013 Posted by Mel

Happy (Paleo) Pi Day!

It’s 3/14, a.k.a., Pi Day, a.k.a, an excuse to eat pie. But we’re not eating any pie. Oh, no! We’re eating paleo-approved, protein-packed pie. Or should I say π? Here are three recipes that will cure your craving for pie and won’t leave you feeling remorseful tomorrow, in a pie-induced hangover, filled with gluten regret. Instead, you’ll feel powerful, positive, proficient,... read more

Mar 1, 2013 Posted by Mel

Old School Italian Meat Sauce

In college, I had a 100% Italian-American boyfriend, and I was partially adopted by his very traditional family. His mom was about 4’10″ and a spitfire, and every week, she had a cooking schedule. A certain day of the week meant soup, another day was always a roast, and Sunday was spaghetti and meatballs. She’d make the sauce on Saturday afternoon so it could simmer until after mass on... read more

Feb 20, 2013 Posted by Mel

Balls! (Meatballs, That Is)

Meatballs are the most playful food you can pile on a plate. (And it’s pretty fun to say “balls,” too. Am I right?! Of course I’m right. Try it: Balls!) Meatballs can be so cute and round and friendly — and despite their humble appearance, they’re often packed with flavor explosions like spices and seeds, or doused in a luscious sauce that inspires licking the plate. Today,... read more

Feb 14, 2013 Posted by Mel

Heart-Stirring Stir-Fry

Sure, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with something chocolatey (like dairy-free mousse or grain-free fudge bombs) — and I 100% approve. But you can also show the truest form of love with some badass beef and vegetables. Nothing, and I mean nothing, says I adore you more definitively than a meal that’s delicious and healthy. (These adorbs valentine cards from Nom Nom Paleo are a close... read more

Jan 27, 2013 Posted by Mel

Moroccan Sirloin w/ Fig-Pistachio Butter

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I was invited to compete in the Sous Video Paleo Recipe Showdown, sponsored by SousVide Supreme and TX Bar Organics. The deadline for submitting our recipes has arrived, so I can finally share what I cooked up in my kitchen — and then you guys get to weigh in by voting in a Fan Favorites contest. Voting starts tomorrow (!), so I’ll be sharing details on that as soon... read more

Jan 9, 2013 Posted by Mel

The Enchanted Broccoli Forest

Lest you think I’m some kind of kitchen wizard, I thought I’d share a tale of a colossal failure that took place in my oven today… Once upon a time… … there was a college student who fell in love with the cookbook The Enchanted Broccoli Forest. This girl wasn’t a vegetarian, but she didn’t discriminate: she adored almost all food, imaginative recipes, and charming... read more

Jan 6, 2013 Posted by Mel

What’s Cooking Today

I’m on Day 6 of my Whole30, and it’s Weekly Cookup Day! I’m not sharing my food log this time for two reasons: 1. Breakfast and lunch are remarkably similar to what I ate in October. I shared every morsel that passed my lips during my last Whole30, and I’m eating just about the same things this time around: warm, comforting veggie soup (cauliflower or zucchini or sweet potato) for... read more

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Reading right now...

The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
Recently finished...

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.