Epicurus Blog Posts

Laurie’s Library

September is a great month for books. The little ones are back to school, and home cooks are able to test and taste new recipes. Mangia!
AS THE ROMANS DO: Authentic and Reinvented Recipes from the Eternal City by Eleonora Galasso reflects the history and tradition of Rome with its vibrancy and variety of food.  Instagram star and Roman native Eleonora Galasso will take you on a journey among the houses, the sanpietrini, the tiny side streets, the palazzos, the traditions, the community and the hidden gems of this never-ending eternal city. From quick and earthy breakfasts and vivacious al fresco meals to brilliant off-the-cuff dinner parties, you will find a recipe to suit every occasion including rice stuffed tomatoes with potatoes; salmon fillet with fava bean & pecorino mousse; grandma’s meatballs with glazed shallots & prunes; and chestnut flour cake.

 

À LA MODE: 120 Recipes in 60 Pairings: Pies, Tarts, Cakes, Crisps, and More Topped with Ice Cream, Gelato, Frozen Custard, and More by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough offers some fabulous dessert ideas paired with some delightful ice cream toppings that elevate the recipes.  The IACP winning authors and prolific cookbook writers offer up some innovative recipes including: apple-cranberry streusel pie with honey camembert ice cream; blackberry pandowdy with buttermilk frozen custard; coffee-poached pears with hazelnut gelato; and chocolate whiskey bundt with a ginger glaze and gingersnap ice cream.

 

BREAD ILLUSTRATED: A Step-By-Step Guide to Achieving Bakery-Quality Results at Homeq by the Editors at America’s Test Kitchens appeals to bakers of all levels and teaches them how to make totally foolproof breads, rolls, flatbreads, and many more delicious items.  Each of the master recipe is presented as a hands-on tutorial, with illustrations and step-by-step photos.  I appreciate that the book is organized by degree of difficulty to make bread baking less overwhelming.  The book covers a wide range of breads from the basic classic Italian bread and sandwich no-knead brioche through rustic dinner rolls and English muffins, pita breads, and deep dish pizza, and even the perfect challah, stolen, or pumpernickel bread.

THE RAGLAN ROAD COOKBOOK: Inside America’s Favorite Irish Pub by Kevin Dundon & Neil Cubley is a charming cookbook which celebrates the special dishes of the traditional Irish pub. Chef Dundon imparts his warm, hearty, family recipes with a bit of Irish history and some delightful anecdotes.  The Chef runs Dunbrody House in Wexford, Ireland, and Raglan Road, and Irish pub in Disneyland Florida.  This large volume includes recipes such as coconut & curry crock of mussels;  baby back pork ribs with Guinness reduction & potato salad; beef curry pie; and of course sticky toffee pudding.

Laurie’s Kitchen

HOUSELY 12-PIECE STAINLESS STEEL MEASURING CUP AND MEASURING SPOON SET: consists of 5 measuring cups and 5 measuring spoons all made of high quality stainless steel with detachable rings.  Measurements are in US and metrics and the sets have wonderful easy-grip long silicone handles.  I like that the cups are flat-bottomed to avoid spills and both sets are dishwasher safe.  The best perk is that the packaging avoids any messy stickers or labels to remove!

JK ADAMS PACKABLE PICNIC BOARDS: These small cutting boards made out of fine maple are great for picnics, hors d’oeuvres, and cutting lemons at the bar.  I love that you can personalize them for gift giving, which is so very clever.  Think holiday time!

I am lucky enough to find the LEIA & NORA’S FOOD CO GRAIN FREE GRANOLA at my local Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market but I discovered that this high protein paleo snack is also available on line!  The granola, and other products, are handcrafted by two California women in downtown Los Angeles.  The granola is free of preservatives, additives, GMO’s, dairy, grains, and soy.  I use the granola to top my yogurt in the morning or as a boost me up snack in the afternoon.  It’s delicious and addictive!

Our work at the Center for Complicated Grief is defined by clinical research aimed at helping people with complicated grief reclaim their lives. Our mission is to improve the lives of CG sufferers through fostering continued innovative research and through public outreach that includes raising awareness of CG, reducing stigma and other misconceptions, and training professionals.

Dr. Katherine Shear is the Marion E. Kenworthy Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Complicated Grief at Columbia School of Social Work. Dr. Shear has spent decades conducting clinical research in anxiety, depression and related disorders. She developed complicated grief treatment and confirmed its efficacy in three large NIMH-funded studies. This treatment is strength-based and incorporates methods from other proven efficacious psychotherapies to provide a short-term, focused approach to fostering adaptation to loss.

Laurie’s Suggested Grief Reading List

Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman

Grief One Day at a Time: 365 Meditations to Help You Heal After Loss by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.

Healing a Spouse’s Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas After Your Husband or Wife Dies by Alan D. Wolfelt

A Time to Grieve: Meditations for Healing After the Death of a Loved One by Carol Staudacher

Widow to Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Rebuilding Your Life by Genevieve Davis Ginsburg

Life After Loss: A Practical Guide to Renewing Your Life After Experiencing Major Loss by Bob Deits, M. Th.

Grief Healing Techniques: Step-by-Step Support for Working Through Grief and Loss printed by Calistoga Press

Grieving: A Beginner’s Guide by Jessica Hull McCormack

The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse by Richard L. Mabry

Saying Goodbye to Someone You Love: Your Emotional Journey Through End of Life and Grief by Norine Dresser and Fredda Wasserman for Our House Grief Support Center

A Widow’s Guide to Healing: Gentle Support and Advice for the First 5 Years by Kristin Meekhof, LMSW & James Windell, MA