Several months ago, I stumbled across an article discussing the use of carmine as a coloring in cosmetics. I had never heard of carmine before, but it turns out that carmine is a substance derived from bugs. More specifically, a variety of beetle. The bugs are typically farmed, and then they are dried up, ground up, and boiled up until they produce a rich, red coloring. The coloring is used in all kinds of things- food, clothes, makeup. Blech. I … Continue reading
You know that I make a lot of pizzas, so when I say that I’ve made my most delicious pizza yet, I’m telling you something big. And this most delicious pizza is a humble margarita! But it’s really the dough that makes it so special. For me, the crust is the most essential part of any pizza, and this one is wonderful. It is a beautiful crust: easy to stretch thinly, a nice flavor, and the perfect combination of chewy, … Continue reading
My office had a gigantic, blank wall that I needed to spruce up. But decorating an office is tricky business because the people who visit it will look around and draw conclusions about you based on what they see. I was once on an interview in an office that had a large painting of a sunken ship- not exactly the essence of optimism. I needed a piece of art that was big enough to cover the wall, peaceful for me … Continue reading