Homer Laughlin china in the National pattern.

After my 2011 divorce, my dining experience consisted of royal food – Burger King, Dairy Queen, that kind of stuff. And as for dinnerware – I was living off paper plates and plastic flatware. Today, my dinner plates and bowls are a mixmash of various styles and compositions. Some plates from Walmart, some bowls from…

Read More

Bachelor Cooking: the simplest way to make mashed potatoes from scratch

Last Sunday, while running errands, I stopped at the Honest Weight Co-Op for some supplies. While my car charged in their free car-charging station (yay for Lightning’s Girl!), I purchased some fruits, some vegetables, a nice New York strip steak filet, and some various potatoes – Yukon Golds, common reds, and Adirondack blues. And last…

Read More

There’s nothing wrong with hash browns in a milk carton.

The other day, I visited the new South End Grocery (the former McDonald’s on North Pearl Street and Madison Avenue). It’s a small little shopping center, but it has lots of tasty items and staples, including fresh vegetables and meats. It also has something I’ve been meaning to try for a while. Hash Browns in…

Read More

Bachelor Cooking: Stort’s Frito Pie

Sometimes you can create tasty meals on the fly, especially when your dinner prep time is virtually non-existent. Case in point. On days when I’m driving home from the day job, I’ll stop at one of the four Stewart’s along my route home. (No, I didn’t misspell anything in the headline, the proper pronunciation of…

Read More

Bachelor Cooking: Steak and Cheese Pie Muffins

You know you want to try this. You just need all the ingredients. And the time. It takes about two hours to make, but boy is it delicious. This is apparently a major comfort food delicacy in New Zealand, and the recipe I have will incorporate an American twist to the meal. First off ……

Read More

Bachelor Cooking: A loaf of bread from a can

If you grew up in the New England area, you saw this specialty item in your grocery store. You probably bought a few cans of it. It is shelf-stable brown bread. In a can. I am not kidding. This is the same company that makes the tasty brick oven baked beans. B&M manufactures a shelf-stable…

Read More

Bachelor Cooking: Blueberry Muffins

Let’s say that you want to celebrate some nice life event with someone special. You could go to the store and buy some delicious muffins … or hit the drive-thru at Dunkin’ Donuts for a box of muffins .. Or you can be a self-sufficient bachelor and make your own. Let me explain. It’s so…

Read More

Bachelor Cooking: Beef Stew Shepherd’s Pie

Can I let you in on a culinary secret? Most off-the-shelf grocery products will have a recipe or two on the package label. Such was the case when I purchased a can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew. And since the recipe was – I’m going to say edible – I’m sharing it with you. Ingredients:…

Read More

So that’s what a ricer does?

So of late, I’ve tried to make scratch-built mashed potatoes. Well, at least “bachelor cooking” mashed potatoes. And I think I found out what I’ve been doing wrong all this time. I’ve nuked potatoes in the microwave and then tried to mash them with a fork. Doesn’t work. I’ve tried roasting tinfoil-wrapped potatoes in the…

Read More