Author Archives: upstatedowntown

Southern Souvenir: Buttermilk Pie

Posted on July 2, 2011 by upstatedowntown

A West Tennessee family recipe for Buttermilk pie. Continue reading →

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Italian Cooking with a Southern (Memphis) Accent

Posted on June 20, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews My husband Christopher and I recently braved a 100-degree June heat wave in Memphis for two reasons: to visit Rhodes College, his alma mater (where, despite the heat, we were compelled to stroll the stunning campus).  And…to … Continue reading →

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Hillary Clinton Still Plugging NY Wines

Posted on June 18, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews As New York’s junior US Senator, Hillary Clinton was an effective advocate for New York State agriculture, including its growing wine industry. Every fall she would host a “New York Farm Day” reception in the Senate’s elegant Russell Caucus Room — … Continue reading →

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Losing My Mac Virginity…

Posted on June 14, 2011 by upstatedowntown

Buying a Mac for the very first time Continue reading →

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Serious Spanish Wine Value: Toro’s Bodegas Fariña

Posted on June 10, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews For wine lovers seeking value, Toro, a historical and up-and-coming wine region in north-central Spain — traditionally known for its brawny reds — is well worth getting to know. And among Toro’s wineries, Bodegas Fariña is a flagship producer, turning out exceptional wines at … Continue reading →

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Negroni: Manhattan Cocktail Classic’s Comeback Kid

Posted on May 16, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On Friday evening, May 13, the stately New York Public Library (NYPL) transformed into the City’s — if not the nation’s — largest cocktail party for the kick-off Gala of the five-day 2011 Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Massive … Continue reading →

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The James Beard Foundation Awards 2011

Posted on May 12, 2011 by upstatedowntown

Inside scoop…at the 2011 James Beard Award Awards Continue reading →

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Bake It Yourself: Yeasted Breads

Posted on May 5, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews I was surprised when I finally held a copy of Simply Great Breads by Hudson Valley baker Daniel Leader (with Lauren Chattman) in my hands.  I figured it would be a hefty coffee table-type paean to artisanal … Continue reading →

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Chinon and Ramps? Mais Oui

Posted on May 2, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Before the ramp season completely plays out for 2011, here’s one more ramp-related post, this one on a noteworthy food-wine pairing. As a pungent spring green, ramps are often labelled, like asparagus and artichokes, as tricky to pair with wines. The stock solution … Continue reading →

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Spring Tonic: Cooking Up Ramps

Posted on April 26, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews “Do you want to come ramping with me?” Christopher asked.  It was a big deal for him to ask me, I knew, because my husband typically enjoys communing with nature—and this particular stealth pursuit—alone. Still. I found … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Food, Health, Home Cooking, Hudson Valley | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments