Kevin Lee Jacobs

A Guide to Creative Living

A Gratin of Leeks

I think you'll love this French gratin. After all, who can resist a sexy side dish (or vegetarian main course) of tender leeks, gloriously suspended in Sauce Mornay (white sauce with cheese), and topped off with crisp, buttery bread crumbs? You can assemble the entire dish several hours ahead of...
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A Gratin of Leeks

Chicken in White Wine (Poulet au Vin Blanc)

Happy January! This month, I'm returning to my ancestral roots, and cooking French food for you! First up is Poulet au Vin Blanc -- chicken and veggies poached in an aromatic brew of Sauvignon blanc and tarragon leaves. Here's the video and printable recipe for this one-pot wonder: Thanks for...
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Chicken in White Wine (Poulet au Vin Blanc)

Buckwheat Pancakes with Blueberry-Lemon Compote

Rich in fiber, protein, and B vitamins, buckwheat flour  is a gluten-free "super food." Use the flour for pancakes, and you won't be sorry. Top the pancakes with my uniquely delicious blueberry-lemon compote, and you just might be the happiest eater in the world. Here's the video how-to (click the...
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Buckwheat Pancakes with Blueberry-Lemon Compote

Polenta and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Tip some creamy-dreamy polenta into a baking dish, dress it up with whole eggs, leafy greens, and thin slices of meat, bake the works until the eggs are set, and what will you have? Why, Sarah Copeland's simple and simply delicious "Cheesy Breakfast Egg and Polenta Casserole." I discovered Sarah's...
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Polenta and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Orange Cognac Cookies

Wowzers! That's not a real word, but it seems the best description for these holiday treats. They're light, buttery, and perfectly perfumed with Grand Marnier. Santa loves 'em, as do his overworked-and-underpaid elves. I think you'll love 'em, too. They are incredibly easy to make.
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Orange Cognac Cookies

Easy Homemade Crumpets

Tea and Crumpets, anyone? These particular crumpets are particularly delicious. They're easy, too. The yeast batter requires just one rise! I hope you'll give these British breads a try. They're delicious hot out of the pan, generously topped with good butter and jam. Alternatively, you can let the crumpets cool...
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Easy Homemade Crumpets

Turkey-Broccoli Casserole (Keto!)

The cold-weather casserole I'm sharing with you today is one of my all-time favorites. It's healthy with broccoli, and oh, so comforting with turkey, bacon, and a generous splash of cream. Need a make-ahead dish that you refrigerate or freeze, and then bake at your leisure? This video and printable...
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Turkey-Broccoli Casserole (Keto!)

A Birthday and a Cake

I had a fun birthday weekend! On Friday, Mr. Fox and I dined at Cafe La Perche in Hudson, NY. And last night, he threw a big party in my honor! Thirty-five friends arrived at the house for cocktails, appetizers, and a lavish dinner buffet prepared by Chef Danyal of … [Read more...]

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Easy Homemade Crumpets

Tea and Crumpets, anyone? These particular crumpets are particularly delicious. They're easy, too. The yeast batter requires just one rise! I hope you'll give these British breads a try. They're delicious hot out of the pan, generously topped with good butter and … [Read more...]

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Gift Ideas for Cooks

Need some gift-ideas for the cook in your life? Maybe I can help. Here are the culinary workhorses in my own kitchen, all saddled up for you: Note: Most of these items can be purchased at quality kitchen-supply stores. I've included Amazon links for those of you who … [Read more...]

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Panna Cotta

I love Panna Cotta. I love it for Christmas dessert, Valentine's Day dessert, and any-old-day dessert. I say "any-old-day" because Panna Cotta is incredibly easy to make! Shall we make this silky-smooth deliciousness together, just the two of us? Thanks for … [Read more...]

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Make Your Own Wreath!

My favorite part of the holiday season? Decorating the house! Last weekend, I grabbed some evergreen boughs from the (bitterly-cold) garden, and turned them into wreaths for my double front doors. You can tackle this fun project, too. All you need is a frame, some wire, … [Read more...]

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My Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

Happy day-after-Thanksgiving Day! I hope your holiday was filled with friends, family, and delicious food. To celebrate, Mr. Fox and I hosted a very small dinner party that included some of our favorite things: (Hint: click "play" arrow on pictures for additional … [Read more...]

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How I Dry-Brine a Turkey

Ever calculated the number of turkeys you've roasted in your lifetime? I've done one for Thanksgiving and another for Christmas every year since 1981. That's 72 turkeys! Thus I decided  Thanksgiving 2018 would include no turkey at all. For our annual dinner party, I … [Read more...]

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Garden Greens and Supermarket Flowers

Wanna make a luxurious flower arrangement without breaking the bank? Then do what I did yesterday, and clip some evergreen branches from your garden, and combine them with inexpensive flowers from the supermarket. Here's the how-to: Well. That was a ghastly video. So … [Read more...]

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Soul Bread (Keto)

This recipe from Gloria Koch is a winner. The bread has a mild taste, a moist crumb, a crisp crust, and -- are you ready for this? -- only one gram of carbohydrate per slice! Here's the video and printable recipe: I hope you enjoyed the barking dog in the … [Read more...]

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Keto for Company: Parmesan Crusted Salmon

Last weekend, friends Sarah Kilbourne, Charlotte Sheedy, and Miranda Barry joined the Fox and me for dinner. The occasion? Sarah's XXth birthday! I'd originally planned to serve Beef Wellington as the main course. Then I remembered the beef in said Wellington is encased … [Read more...]

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