My cookbook collection is pathetic simply because my bank account doesn’t allow me to buy more than two a year. Nonetheless, last year when Christmas rolled around, I knew which cookbook was on my list. . Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi has gorgeous pictures, recipes and poetic descriptions for each dish.

Correct us if we're wrong, but there may be nothing worse than showing up at a holiday party to find out the host has only mulled wine on hand. While we have nothing against a spiced and handcrafted concoction, we're more fans of the cockta...

I'll be honest: my kitchen is a mess. There are whisks, spatulas, and random pieces of paper with recipes scrawled across them haphazardly tossed into drawers. This is the reality of a food writer. Ninety percent of my time is spent cooking and the other ten percent is spent searching for the Microplane grater that always seems to disappear into thin air - which doesn't leave much time for staying organized.

There is something I need to confess. The only times I bake vegan is when I run out of eggs and don’t want to drive to the market. L.A traffic is not worth it. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the case with this Vegan Pumpkin Bread. . They’re were eggs, milk and other unmentionables in my fridge. […]

by Nicole Lisson - The Capitol Hill Times - Polenta was the bane of my existence for a number of years. It always felt too heavy and or had no taste. That was until I discovered the true potential of polenta. It is a blank slate for a wide variety of toppings like mozzarella and […]

Article and photo by Nicole Lisson - The Capitol Hill Times - Living in an apartment has its disadvantages, like not having your own backyard or having to listen to your neighbor’s awful music. One day, I hope to live the American dream and buy a house with plenty of green outdoor space. Until then, … … Continue reading →.

By Nicole Lisson The Capitol Hill Times If you have walked down Pine lately, you may have noticed a new wine shop called Essence. Rows of wine bottles are displayed in the window, inviting you in to peruse their selection. . “It’s a wine a bar but you can also pick up a bottle and leave,” … … Continue reading →.

by Nicole Lisson - The Capitol Hill Times - It always sucks to be that guy. You know, the one who ruins a perfectly good burger patty by overcooking it to the point of no return. As an all-American, knowing how to handle your meat (get your mind out of the gutter, I don’t mean […]

by Nicole Lisson - The Capitol Hill Times - It started with an intense passion for coffee. . A small Airstream trailer rests in the back parking lot of Piecora’s. People line up outside, braving the cold to get their first jolt of caffeine for the day. A smile creeps up their faces when they realize that … … Continue reading →.

by Nicole Lisson - The Capitol Hill Times - As Capitol Hill continues to be a well-oiled revolving door for new restaurant ventures, we can undoubtedly anticipate a 2013 stuffed with unique tastes. It is one of the many great things about living on the Hill – you don’t have to eat at the same […]