Hi. I’m Isabel, I cook and scribble. I make a lot of food and do a lot of writing, and Bread & Courage is what I have to show for it. It started as a simple food blog called TASTE but evolved into something more—a place where I express my love of food, community and the environment. Thanks for spending some time here—and be in touch!
All of my original TASTE blog entries with the new look.
When I’m sad, I bake. There’s something comfortable and steady about following a recipe from start to finish, not to mention that pilfering licks of raw batter brings me almost overwhelming, girlish delight. As the kitchen warms up and dough takes its form, remote memories are drawn out and I often experience a timeless fluidity, […]
This is a real vegetable beauty and is just the type of recipe I like: simple, improvisational and savory. Though it sounds exotic, you’ll be surprised by how prepared your pantry already is to whip up this dish. You’ll have to buy fresh spinach, cauliflower and maybe mozzarella, but the other ingredients are likely lying […]
Originally published on the Huffington Post. For decades, Alice Waters has commanded attention for her love of the freshest, most local food. Last week, her crusade was the focal point of national attention, as Michelle Obama finally agreed to plant an extensive vegetable garden at the White House. If Ms. Waters is serious about changing […]
Clearly, these little nutty, sugar-covered, buttery dough-balls have serious global appeal.
recipe for delicious tapenade with figs, olives, goat cheese, candied walnuts and herbs
As I mentioned after Thanksgiving, there are some dishes that should be made all the time–not just for the holidays to which they are relegated. In particular, I don’t think Thanksgiving should be imprisoned on the last Thursday of November. In honor of my firm stance against such foolishness, I proposed that, on the day […]
Eat this and you will be as fortified as a pipe smoking sailor man. This gratin is just about the most energy-packed vegetable dish you could dream up. Oh, forget the euphemism. This is the richest, most decadent veggie you’ll ever put to your greedy little lips. But for all the butter and cream in […]
I am conflicted about Holiday foods. As I sit in the midst of two of my favorites, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I realize that some of the very best recipes I eat all year get made at just one, fleeting moment. That is a tragedy. Thanksgiving dinner should be had by all AT LEAST once a […]
It' s hard to write when you' re stuffing yourself—or a turkey for that matter. I' ve been something of a blogging delinquent over Thanksgiving. I’m likely the only person with a food blog who didn' t post a slew of turkey-day recipes. Well anyway, they' ll serve me fine next year in the archive. […]
I love a good confit, though I' m not always a fan of the wait. I was delighted when I came across a recipe for an eggplant confit that would take considerably less time to prepare than a bird and might be equally delicious—at least in my estimation. After trying this roast a few times, […]
