I like figuring out how things work, but I habitually find myself asking, what’s the reason why they work the way they do?
So I look under the hood. I take things apart. I experiment. Sometimes I get it wrong.
Eventually, I get pretty good at putting things back together. Once it makes sense, I test, adjust, and see if I can make it better.
Make it make sense.
Recent Work
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Lacto-Fermented Pickles, Batch #2: Problem Solved. Problem Relocated.
Batch #1 was insipid. Naturally, I made Batch #2. New jars, a new process, some improvised fermentation engineering—and one fuzzy little problem. Apparently making better pickles means figuring out new ways to fuck them up first.
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Papa’s Knife
After making passata with an old cook and his cheap paring knife, I came home and realized something: despite owning a roll of expensive professional knives, the one I actually use cost me nothing.
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Batch #1: Lacto Pickles — 5/10. Did I Screw Them Up, or Do I Just Not Like Lacto-Fermented Pickles?
My first batch of lacto-fermented pickles worked. Probably. The bigger question is whether I actually like lacto-fermented pickles.
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Basil Guild
Last year I had a hot pepper guild — two jalapeños, two habaneros in an enormous pot, and they crushed it. I tried to overwinter the pepper plants — and I killed them. Classic. This year I went on vacation in late June and never got around to replanting the pot. When I got back,…
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Garlic Bulbils
Yeah, I decided to leave some garlic scapes go to flower. (That was totally on purpose!) Now I’ve got a lot of bulbils, and a two-year plan. Yes, Mrs Sandemano is rolling her eyes.