Welcome!

Anyone who's ever stepped foot into the Hurn house knows that food and drink is a big part of who we are. Whether it's a football game, a pool party or Christmas Eve, there's always a constant stream of bites and sips coming from the kitchen and from behind the bar.

We sometimes get recipe requests for Grandma Liz's famous chicken wings or Big Mary's baked clam dip. This holiday season we've decided to share some of our favorites with you. We also think we owe it to the world to document some of our other family members' best acts: Great Great Aunt Tencie's spinach balls and flan recipes; Grandma Florence's egg and bacon mixture and icebox cookies, etc.. A lot of our friends are also really great cooks. We'll probably be bugging you soon for your best recipes to add to this blog.

And of course, food always tastes better when there's a fun story behind it. We'll share those too.

Bon Appetit!

-Little Mary

Big Mary and Little Mary

Big Mary and Little Mary

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Grandma Liz's Fried Zucchini

My family misses me a lot now that I live in New York. Of course, I get homesick, too. And while there are many things that New York has that can’t be found anywhere else, my grandmother’s cooking is one thing that can’t be found on the streets of Manhattan.

So my mother has this really cruel thing she likes to do sometimes when we’re chatting. The conversation goes a little something like this:

Little Mary: So what are you guys doing today?

Big Mary: Oh, you know, the grandmas are here. We’re watching the Rays and Grandma Liz is making fried zucchini.



And I just start seeing red. I’ve been known to eat an entire plate of Grandma Liz’s zucchini straight from the pan; risking social humiliation and scalding the roof of my mouth with hot oil. It’s just that good. Before the frying process even begins, she lets garlic and hot chilis sizzle in the oil, infusing it with a peppery kick. Then using a simply seasoned flour and eggs she dips and drops the zucchini into the iron skillet to crisp. A little salt and pepper and you’re done.