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!
One of my favorite things about visiting home is my mother’s zest for cocktail hour. When she’s not working, she’s waiting for five o’clock. Until recently, my father, sister and I joined her, dutiful but sometimes disinterested, sipping wine and waiting for the sun to set over the water. Don’t get me wrong…I love to [...]
Cake is a favorite food, though sadly it can come with some baggage. Having cake for breakfast, day after day, is a loaded decision, for example…unless you’re someone who really has no qualms about those kinds of social conventions. I’ll have some cake or pastry from time to time, but reaching for it for a [...]
Christmas! And I’m staring at a half a plate of Russian Tea Cakes, lips white with powdered sugar. Like ginger snaps, these were not my first choice as a child, although they have moved high up the list of foods to appreciate. First of all, they are not super sweet—don’t be fooled by their coat [...]
All you last minute bakers, fret not: there is a way to produce something elegant and mouthwateringly delicious this Thanksgiving. It can happen in less than an hour, and probably with ingredients you’ve already got… provided you keep nuts in your freezer or pantry.
I have eaten lots of pecan pies in my day, but none [...]
If I were a 19th century poet, I would spend my summer afternoons on the outskirts of an orchard, watching the clouds pass, nibbling fruit, and limning the virtues of their juices. Alas, I am a modern eater, relegated to her blog—but at least there’s someplace to extol the sweetness of summer. After all, I [...]
