Good evening and Merry Christmas, fellow Kossacks!
I hope your holiday has been filled with magic and wonderful memories for you and yours. Mr. Lear and I are home in Michigan this evening. We've had a quiet day and are about to sit down to tossed salads, bacon wrapped filet mignons, twice baked potatoes, string beans, sauteed mushrooms, a baguette and a nice bottle of red wine.
What's for Dinner is doing something a little different tonight. Instead of our normal recipes centered around a theme, or ingredient, I've put together a handy, dandy round-up of the wonderful diaries we shared and discussed on Saturday nights this year. You've asked for links to previous diaries in the series numerous times. So, as the saying goes, "ask and ye shall receive." After DK4 goes live it'll be easy to link WFD with our own group, so stay tuned for that leap. Next week we'll return to the usual format.
But before we get to the round-up, I'd like to take a moment and thank all the people who graciously volunteered to write and host this past year: 25 different people wrote 51 diaries. You're an awesome crew. And many thanks to everyone who stops by, shares a recipe, gives a cooking tip, or just says hello. Consider yourselves --- one and all ---the recipient of a virtual hug. This group is what the word "community" is all about.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday. I wish you all good food, safe travels, and sweet dreams. See you next week. Same WFD time. Same WFD channel.
All best,
Cordelia Lear
Are you ready for some diaries? Good.
Without any further ado, and put together just for you on this special occasion, it is my pleasure to present the official 2010 What's for Dinner diary round-up. Drum roll please.
What's for Dinner 2010: From Soup to Nuts and Everything in Between
- January 2. Cordelia Lear kicks off the New Year making Risotto, a creamy rice dish that we don't see on American restaurant menus nearly enough these days.
- January 9. Ojibwa describes An American Indian Feast and gives us a fascinating account of Indian crops, farming techniques and recipes.
- January 16. Emergency rations, as well as tips for the uninspired, are the focus as esquimaux pens I have no f@ing idea what's for dinnner!
- Janaury 23. Pie! conjures up some memories for long time posters, and RLMiller gives us great tips for making an edible one on National Pie Day.
- January 30. ninkasi23's incredible recipe box wows us with multiple creations in Pork: The Other White Meat.
- February 6. Readers get a description of all 15 days in the Lunar New Year and even a lion dance video from thenekkidtruth that leaves us wanting to visit China.
- February 13. We're transported south of the border in Oaxacan Moles by ranger995. The recipes are meticulous and the descriptions of this regional Mexican culture and geography are vivid.
- February 20. thenekkidtruth makes another appearance in Cajun! where we learn to make a trifecta of gumbo, jambayla and etouffee with the holy trinity of Louisiana kitchens.
- February 27. BigOkie shares sage advice about equipment and ingredients in Pass the Bread, Please.
- March 6. The Braisin' Hussy, known to most of us as MaskedKat, explains how she transforms inexpensive, tough cuts of meat into culinary masterpieces.
- March 13. ninkasi23 details the trials and tribulations of Cooking Without a Real Kitchen. Pootie and equipment pictures are included.
- March 20. Fennel is one of those ingredients that you either love or hate. Cordelia Lear spends the evening trying to convince readers that there's plenty of love to go around.
- March 27. translator shares the wisdom of both dad and "youngest son," a culinary student on a recent trip home, in Oven Baked Pecan Catfish.
- April 3. From marinating to carving, ninkasi23 takes the mystery out of London Broil and serves it up.
- April 10. Ever wonder about the relationship between food and family? CayceP does too in this What's for Dinner?
- April 17. Everyone has a favorite Comfort Food, and Cordelia Lear polls WFD readers about theirs and shares a yummy macaroni and cheese recipe.
- April 24. translator shares tips and tricks for Intensive Gardening.
- May 1. Teh Intertoobz: Resources & Inspiration From the Web is a discussion led by ninkasi23 about useful Web sites, blogs and search sites for cooks.
- May 8. blueoregon shows us how to prepare Pesto Pasta with Seafood and few variations for your bag of culinary tricks.
- May 15. Get in a summer time mood with Grillin', Chillin' and Beverage Swillin'. A bit early for outside fare you say? Not for MaskedKat who lives in Florida.
- May 22. slinkerwink makes a WFD debut by sharing her first polenta adventure in Polenta, Pancetta, Potatoes!.
- May 29. ninkasi23 is back to share great side dishes in Summertime...and the Salads Are Easy!
- June 5. "Caught this morning" is the only way to go according to HarpboyAK as he shares his secrets in Wild Alaska Seafood during prime fishin' time in his neck of the woods.
- June 12. BigOkie writes about her 30-year relationship with a cast iron skillet in Irons on the Fire and shares her grandmothers recipe for cornbread.
- June 20. commonmass, a native New Englander talks about Lobster, Maine's Treasure. Learn all you need to know in order to enjoy these scrumptious crustaceans.
- June 26. WFD readers are treated to Crab Stuffed Shrimp as prepared by SJerseyIndy.
- July 3. First time WDF diarist Fe Bongolan calls for "Friends, Kossacks and Foodies" to rally round and honor Chicken Thighs Oh My!.
- July 10. Ever heard of Pasotto? Well then, hurry on over as ninkasi23 describes her favorite pasta which is prepared like risotto.
- July 17. MaskedKat recreates a favorite meal, skirt steak a la plancha from a local restaurant in Dining Out at Home.
- July 24. Alice Olson and her husband spend part of the year living in a small Costa Rican community where having neighbors over for bocas, or finger foods, is an ex-pat tradition. Learn how to make her favorite ones in Well, for starters?.
- July 31. WFD begins its fifth year as a popular Saturday evening community series with a walk down memory lane courtesy of Cordelia Lear in Anniversary Edition - Our Daily Bread. Cordelia also shares some info and pictures about her recent adventures replicating Sullivan Street Bakery's No-Knead Bread.
- August 7. In a foodies' delight, commonmass fesses up to living half his life in the South and pulls out all the stops discussing Texas-Style Barbecue which he prefers to wash down with a Geary's Ale, or Moxie and Rye, Maine style.
- August 14. Garrett talks about August Tomatoes fresh from the garden and gives us plenty of recipe (& picture) inspiration.
- August 21. It's a garden season here at WFD and Zucchini is plentiful this time of year, so ninkasi23 gives us a few pointers and recipes.
- August 28. mayim gives readers several great Marinated Salads that are easy to make, versatile and travel well.
- September 4. slinkerwink discovers an Unusual Pesto recipe that uses corn and she pairs it with fettuccine.
- September 11. Fe Bongolan is another fan of Cast Iron Alchemy and shares some of her favorite recipes that you too can make at your house.
- September 18. Vermont Chicken Pie Suppers are a tradition and noweasels explains why everyone loves them and gives readers a recipe for the famous Groton Chicken Pie.
- September 25. We learn about another New England institution, baked beans, along with some other tasty treats, from commonmass as he pens Fall in New England.
- October 2. JayinPortland goes Diggin' in the Crates after he misses a trip to the farmers market. What does he find? You're gonna have to click.
- October 9. Every part of the country has its own barbecue style and sauce is an important accompaniment. azazallo takes us on a tour of BBQ Sauces that starts in North Carolina.
- October 16. Ezekial 23 20 explains how to create Oktoberfest in your own home by sharing Bavarian recipes that will put smiles on your face and good food in your tummy.
- October 23. ninkasi23 creates updated versions of the traditional Casseroles we remember from our mother and more. After all, did your mom ever serve an Impossible Taco Pie?
- October 30. Life is Uncertain Eat desserts first. mayim opens the recipe box and shares her families' tried and true favorites.
- November 6. Need a nice hearty dish to serve when friends, or family, come over? Garrett has a few suggestions for you in Pork With Apples that begins with an Alsatian Onion Tart.
- November 13. TX Scotia kicks off the holiday season with Aw, Nuts! Holiday Snacks by giving us some great suggestions on how to make spicy little treats.
- November 20. Need a "go to" recipe for a pot luck? Cordelia Lear is happy to oblige with her favorite Vegetarian Peanut Noodle Salad.
- November 27. BigOkie talks about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day: The Winter Holidays, and shares a few memories and recipes.
- December 11. Once again, commonmass opens his family recipe box for WFD readers who are treated to Nan's Steamed Christmas Pudding. Contrary to popular belief about this dessert, it does not contain plums.
- December 18. Willigia, a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner, still serves up warm family memories to Cordelia Lear. In this diary she shares cultural traditions and a recipe for pierogi.