 We were on the hunt for port as a birthday present for our boy and stopped off @parkerstable. We always love to look around the store and get inspiration not only for wine, but specialty foods. I am not sure who said it first, but Big Guy and I decided to pick up some French raclette cheese and a baguette and have a night of it. We may have gotten the germ of the idea after buying a lovely bottle of Chateau Rozier from @claytonwinehouse. Or perhaps it was the Debussy and Ravel program we were about to see at @stlsymphony the next day. We got home and pulled out the raclette grill, prepped potatoes, and red peppers, and got cooking. There is nothing that elevates a charcuterie board than using the grill. It was the perfect French themed weekend!
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 It is no secret my Big Guy loves his bread. In the Carondelet Kitchen, most evening meals include bread or crackers just to satisfy his need for carbs.
While we do our best to be healthier, we have tried to do other things to bread to bring down the temptation to slather on butter which then adds to our fat count. The secret weapon is always olive oil. Big Guy has it down to an art form. He will drizzle on the olive oil with a dusting of garlic salt. Pop it in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes and you have tasty bread at a reduced calorie rate. That is until I come along and put cheese on top. Life is too short to always be good! (Wink!)  I have been enjoying being back in the kitchen again. I know March Madness is on the horizon, so I have been loading up on daily fresh meals along with soups for future dates. I decided it was time to pull out my next fresh pasta, saffron campanelle, from @vicini_pastaria. I had roasted a chicken breast the day before, so I knew I had fresh chicken to add to the pasta along with some select vegetables. I opted to add asparagus, red pepper, onion, sun dried tomatoes and garlic to a fresh sweet basil oil from @di Olivas. Thanks again to @vickinorthop for reintroducing me to these wonderful oils! Once I sauteed the vegetables in olive oil and added the cooked pasta, I served it with shredded parmesan cheese on top. I was pleased at first with the protein choice in the meal, but Big Guy and I both agreed we could have made it without the chicken. The pasta and vegetables were truly the star of the meal that I will showcase the next time I make this recipe as a pasta primavera. 
I was so proud of making scones during the holiday season but was heartbroken at the thought of not being able to eat them all before they went stale. Big Guy suggested I freeze them. I agreed with him because it was a great experiment which could result in scones in the freezer on demand or a disaster that would result in us not finishing the batch anyway.
I am thrilled to tell you they were even better once we reheated them in the oven. They were still flakey, buttery, and delicious. Obviously, they would not be complete without adding @larder_cupboard jams to enhance the flavor. My only choice on this given day was whether to use the Very Berry Jam or the Blackberry Lemon Thyme Jam. Decisions, decisions!  I am sure I am like most people who benefit from a “shot” of caffeine in the morning to get my day off to the right start. Perhaps unlike some people, I like to vary my source of caffeine so I do not get tired of the same beverage day in and day out.
Big Guy and I love to eat breakfast @haveacowcattlecompany. I was in the mood for tea on our recent visit, so I ordered the Briar Patch Brew. It was a delicious blend of hibiscus, blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, currants, sage, and lemongrass. I noticed the teas were sourced from @piperandleaf, so I decided to check them out. I was instantly impressed that it is a family run business in Lacey’s Spring, Alabama, who make artisan teas blended with local ingredients. I placed an order for the Briar Patch Brew and the Front Porch Special based on a recommendation from my friends at Have a Cow. I was doubly impressed that the tea arrived within two days. I am beyond excited to add this tea to my morning rotation!  Big Guy and I enjoy going to all of the farmers market in St. Louis, but the Soulard Farmers Market has always been a favorite. Where else can you go and have a Bloody Mary at eight in the morning?
We have our usual pattern of walking through the market and looking at everything before deciding which produce we plan to buy that day. While I usually have a list, I often get inspired by the seasonal offerings. As a reward for our shopping, we would end our trip at the bakery. It seems too many years ago we first tried a mountain cookie, but I have been hooked every since that first bite. I have perfected my version of it by following the oatmeal raisin recipe on the Quaker Oat box and adding chocolate chips and pecans. When I want to change it up, I’ll use macadamia nuts and craisins as an alternative. You cannot lose either way!  You made me do it @vickinorthrop and @essentialzsazsa! You both mentioned making meatballs for Super Bowl Sunday so Big Guy and I had to go out and buy the ingredients.
We stopped by @vincents12thstreet to buy fresh ground chuck and pork sausage. We have always been impressed by their selections and the bonus is they were having a sale! Big Guy was in his element mixing the chuck and the sausage in with his panko, eggs and spices. He made batches of big and small meatballs so we could freeze some for later use in soups and pasta. I admit making meatballs fresh has spoiled me. Once you have the best, it is hard to go back to store bought frozen meatballs.  Beans or no beans? That is the question. If you ask some Texans, authentic chili does not have them.
As I was making another pot of chili, I became curious about the origins of this dish that can create questions of authenticity. I am sure none of you will be surprised chili has roots in Mexican culture and became prominent in Tex-Mex cooking. Some even argue we need to go further into looking at Moroccan cooking which is the origin of the spices. Regardless of how you make it, it seems we can thank the chili stands at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. According to the Texas Heritage for Living, this appearance inspired the packaging of chili powder in 1900 and allowed the inspiration of using chili on foods from hot dogs to pasta. I can certainly raise a “fork” to that history. I wonder if the “chili queens” of San Antonio would believe their hearty meal for laborers would be so popular today.
I went to my niece’s baby shower and the surprise of the day was a donut maker. I am not talking glazed or fritters, but a simple small donut created onsite by two artisans. The only other place I have seen this magic is at the Soulard Farmers Market.
It was a fun add to the event since you could watch your donut being made and then request special toppings to give it extra flare. The toppings were endless from marshmallow to caramel, but I tend to be a simple gal and asked for powered sugar on one and cinnamon sugar on the other one. It was the perfect sweet treat as I watched my beautiful niece enjoy her special day with family and friends. Blessings all around!  It is a day of love! I hope you all receive it ten times over whether you celebrate it the Hallmark holiday way or in the new tradition of Galentine’s day.
In the Carondelet Kitchen, Big Guy bristles at the idea of celebrating his love on only one day. He feels it is too much stress and how ridiculous since everyday should be Valentine’s Day. Hit the audience “ah” button. I am a lucky lady and I do not take it for granted as I am truly loved by my Big Guy. I am also lucky I can show my love through my cooking and sharing it with my main man and my family and friends. So, let’s spread some love around today as the world could certainly use it! |
AuthorJust a super cool old couple who love to cook and eat and drink in their Carondelet Kitchen in South Saint Louis, Missouri! Archives
January 2026
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