J Reilly

Dad Beer

My dad was a Budweiser man (accompanied by a shot of Johnny Walker). He’d come home from work and grab a beer from the refrigerator in the garage that was always stocked with a case of cans. On the weekends, mowing the lawn and gardening activities were punctuated with ice cold Budweiser beer breaks.

It’s Tomato Season!

When we have an end-of-summer bounty of tomatoes, we remember our parents’ love of gardening and make our own delicious fresh tomato recipes.

Drinking and Thinking

This wining hour, a melancholy mood draws me to the Warren Zevon album The Wind and his version of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”. The song is accompanied by a 2016 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles.

Former Vegetarian’s First Attempt At Cooking Prime Rib

In case you are wondering why it’s taken me so long to make a standing rib roast for the first time, once upon a time I was a vegetarian. It didn’t make much sense considering how much I loved a juicy rare steak, but I sacrificed my meat-eating ways to be in synch with my boyfriend. Ah, the things we do for love!

Decoding Oven Racks: 101

I have some questions about my new Frigidaire Gallery Gas Range. I’m working the stovetop with panache (except that I can’t cook rice, even on the lowest setting, without the pot boiling over.) I’ve even been able to turn on the oven and roast some stuff. But the removable rack configuration has me baffled. TheContinueContinue reading “Decoding Oven Racks: 101”

Kale and Chickpea Soup with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

I have this bartender app where you enter ingredients you have on hand and it spits out a cocktail recipe for you. Let’s try the same method with food and see what we can come up with for tonight’s dinner.

Amaro and the Italian American

Two bottles of Italian liqueurs have been languishing in the liquor cabinet and threatened with drain pouring and bottle recycling by the Keeper of the Cabinet (aka spouse). “Oh, noooo…” say I in my best Mr. Bill impersonation. But what will we do with Amaro Montenegro and Amaro CioCiaro? First, we taste. Amaro is aContinueContinue reading “Amaro and the Italian American”

Songs in My Wine Glass

What’s playing in your wine glass?

Man vs. Deep-Fried Turkey

Somewhere along the line, my brother-in-law tasted deep-fried turkey and was hooked. The very next holiday involving turkey at his house presented him the opportunity to try to convert us to worshipers of deep-fried bird.

A “State” Of Mistaken Identity

In the spirit of drinking games that have you take a sip whenever a word or phrase is spoken, we’ve adapted our version to Philadelphia’s Action News and the code word is “Schuylkill” (pronounced SKOO-kul). Since we’re new to the area, the place name Schuylkill has a novel sound to our unfamiliar ears. And itContinueContinue reading “A “State” Of Mistaken Identity”