Kitchen & Home

Rue Montorgueil is near the center of Paris, in the 2nd arrondissement, and just a few blocks away from Les Halles — the former wholesale food market for all of Paris. Les Halles’ commercial market was moved to the suburbs many years ago, but food shops like those lining rue Montorgueil have replaced it for the local cooks. And what great shops they are!I had coffee here with David Lebovitz and then returned the next day for a market walk with Paule Caillat.

Remodeling your kitchen? Like Martha Stewart’s style? If you are looking for the clean, contemporary cottage and farmhouse style often seen in Martha’s magazines, then you might want to check out her new line of cabinets at Home Depot.Many of the 11 special-order cabinet styles are based on (or at least named after) Martha’s own homes. There are 32 styles of hardware to accompany the various cabinet styles, and complementing styles of Corian countertop and wall paint too.

Unless you have a separate room in your house designated as the office, the kitchen can be a good place for one. We’re increasingly bringing our computers and iPads into the kitchen anyway. And several of these work stations could easily convert to extra counter space if you’re having a party or need to roll out some sugar cookies.We love the look of a built-in office with plenty of storage and overhead cabinets.

Some people have open racking, some people love their cabinets. Others are fortunate to have a walk in pantry, but they always seem to easy to clutter up. This transformation takes an average pantry from bogged down to beautiful in just a few seconds and can be implemented into your own kitchen, no matter what type of storage space you have!Now using lazy susans are one of those issues that people are on the fence about.

I chatted with Ina Garten last week, in an interview about her upcoming book. And of course, since Cocktail Week was impending, I had to ask her about her favorite cocktail! Here’s what she said, along with some tips for throwing parties when cocktails are involved.Garten’s favorite cocktail to serve at home, she said, is the old-fashioned whiskey sour. She loves the old-fashioned taste, and the fact that it can look so great when served in a martini glass.

Q: I live in a cozy 400SF studio apartment, including a tiny open kitchen. I love it — except for one small issue: after I cook a more fragrant dish (salmon, bacon) the scent hangs in the air despite my best efforts of homemade natural air sprays, fans, and open windows. Any ideas for how I can enjoy cooking in my mini kitchen but keep the air fresh?Sent by BHSEditor: BHS, here are a few past posts where we’ve dealt with this same issue:• Try This!

Fruit flies got you down? Yes, they breed like crazy this time of year, coming home with your precious fruits and vegetables. But you don’t need to suffer their annoyances; make a cheap trap that will end their reign in your kitchen forever. The equipment list here is simple: Mason jar, hammer and nail, cheap beer. Drown those suckers before they ever get going. It’s all natural, non-toxic, and all it’ll cost you is a little beer.

Q: I have a convection toaster oven that I use on a daily basis, including when I make bacon. While the bacon is delicious, the bacon splatter left inside the oven is less than desirable.I was wondering if there was some secret efficient way in cleaning off the baked-on grease.Sent by SydneyEditor: Well, we swear by really, really hot water and a little dish soap. But there may be better ways! Readers, any good tips for getting grease out of the toaster oven?Next question?

Q: I know you’re supposed to store tomatoes on the counter to prevent them from developing a mealy texture.But what about tomatoes you’ve already cut into? Sometimes I just want a couple slices for a sandwich, and it seems like the fridge is the best place for the leftover tomato — is it?Sent by ClaireEditor: Claire, we often wonder this same thing!

Q: I have a problem with storing the blades for my Cuisinart DLC. The shredding and slicing blades come with the fixed rods that are difficult to store safely. Right now, I have been keeping them in the Styrofoam block they came in, but that is not very space-efficient.Do you or the readers know of any other cases or easy DIY fixes? Thanks in advance!

Q: The guy who lives in the basement of my house loves onions and curry. He cooks with them daily and stinks up the entire house. I’m sure we’ve all dealt with stanky smells from neighbours or our own kitchens.Do you have any tips for getting rid of the onion smell? When I leave my house I smell like a diner, which is uncool.Sent by JodyEditor: Jody, here are a few past posts on fighting lingering odors in the kitchen.

Q: Since it’s started getting warm out, the drain in my kitchen sink has started to smell. Several sites (including this one) have tips on making the grossness go away, but they all seem to hinge on whirring things around in the disposal, which I don’t have.Any tips on de-stinking a kitchen sink drain when there’s no disposal?Sent by AimeeEditor: One tip that we found in this thread on getting rid of kitchen odors is: Sprinkle in baking soda, then pour in lemon juice.

I have a problem (another one!) with the thermal carafe I use every morning for my coffee. In an admirable effort to clean out the bitter, acrid taste of old coffee that tends to build up over time, my husband washed it last week with Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap. The problem? We cannot get the smell of the soap out of the carafe, and now it seeps into our coffee too! I am tired of drinking Mrs. Meyer’s-flavored coffee — can anyone help? We have tried all of the obvious solutions.

When it comes to washing produce, plain old water just isn’t good enough. At least that’s according to the makers of commercial fruit and vegetable sprays. Is this a ploy to get us to buy pricey, non-essential cleaning products? Or is there some truth to it? Do you use a fruit and vegetable wash?Produce washes are purported to help remove pesticides, wax, dirt, and other residues.

This just looks like normal, albeit small, kitchen island, right? Wrong. Read on to see how this kitchen worktop can fit in even the smallest kitchen.We don’t have a kitchen island, but we wish we did. We like to be at least partially surrounded by workspace, and even a small island is helpful. It’s especially nice during the holidays or parties, when an extra workstation makes multiple dishes (and extra hands) easier to manage.

Who cooks here? Travis and JessLocation: Washington, D.C.Owned or rented? OwnedKitchen size: 70 square feet What challenge have you overcome in your kitchen? Houseboat life has no shortage of challenges — have you ever tried to sauté something at sea? — but fortunately these are greatly outweighed by the rewards! The boat is from 1986 and the décor hadn’t been updated at all since then, and cabinet and counter space is minimal.

Who cooks here? Nik and JohnLocation: San Francisco, CAOwned or rented? RentedKitchen size: 60 square feet What challenge have you overcome in your kitchen? We added counter space by adding a stainless steel shelving unit for our microwave and toaster oven which also cleverly hides the gas line to the oven. We also put in some shelving units for plates and pots.

When pouring a glass of wine how much do you pour? How full do you expect the glass to be when buying a glass of wine a in a restaurant or wine bar?I have asked various sommelier friends about this. In the US, the measure poured for a glass of wine is not regulated. Hence, restaurants and bars are pretty free to take it upon themselves to decide what constitutes a single wine glass serving.While some bars and restaurants do indicate the serving sizes on the drinks menu, many do not.

Q: How do you keep your cookie cutters from rusting? I have lots of little shapes which I use for cutting out ham/cheese/bread for decorating bentos. 90% of the time I wash them immediately, but sometime it’s late/I’m tired/they’re too darn small! and I miss them and they sit in water for too long and rust.Is there a quick and easy (no scrubbing) way to move the old rust? What is your cookie cutter maintenance scheme?

First, a survey: The Delicious Miss DahlIf you live in the States, it’s possible that you have no idea who Sophie Dahl is, unless you somehow have access to BBC2, the network that broadcasts her new cookery program The Delicious Miss Dahl. But our British readers are sure to have heard of her as her show has created quite a stir with the critics. Apparently, that’s not unusual for Ms. Dahl, who is a former model with a sexy, scandalous past that includes having a bra named after her.

Napkin rings just say “fancy” to us! They add a touch of class to any table and make even a simple dinner party feel extra special. Don’t you think? We’re loving these easy do-it-yourself napkin rings from Martha Stewart.We think these paper and ribbon ones from Martha Stewart are an excellent stand-in if you don’t own your own set of matching napkin rings (like us!).

To be honest, we’ve never seen the point of that single sprig of parsley artfully balanced on top of our steak or mound of pasta. Why bother when most people simply push it to the side and dig in parsley-free? We’ve given it some thought, though, and wonder if there might be more to garnishes than meets the eye.One of the first reasons chefs started garnishing plates with herbs like parsley and mint was as a breath freshener and a digestive aid.

If you live in a small home or have limited dining room space, a kitchen countertop buffet is one way you can serve guests at your next dinner party. It takes some added planning and preparation, but then again, every dinner party does in one way or another. Here are some countertop buffet inspiration photos and tips: If counter space is limited, increase the serving area with large cutting boards over the sink and stovetop. Or, serve some dishes straight from the stovetop.

Q: I was zesting a lemon with a box grater and noticed that on one side of the grater there was some leftover cheese from who knows when (gross, I know). I guess I didn’t wash it properly or was too lazy to pick at it. I can’t just scrub with a sponge for obvious reasons.Do you have any easy/efficient ways to thoroughly clean all the holes in a grater?Sent by DebbieEditor: We’ve had that exact same experience, Debbie, we confess! Here are a couple things that seem to help.

Even though I hate it, the truth is I throw food away. Usually it’s something that has gone bad in my fridge or is suspect enough that I don’t feel comfortable eating it. My city collects food scraps for compost now, so there’s a small bit of relief that the food is going towards something good, but really, if I were to take that up in anyway as a justification, I would be fooling myself.

When it comes to the Kosher households, having the ability to lay out your kitchen in accordance with your beliefs and dietary needs is a true blessing. You have to have a keen eye, but can you spy anything in this kitchen that seems different than your own? The great design makes it hard to see, but this kitchen has a few extra things that yours might not!

[Today organizing expert Stacey Platt shares a few tips on finding more space in the kitchen. Stacey is the most organized person I know, but understands with great compassion how unorganized many people can be. Here are some ideas from her new book, What’s a Disorganized Person to Do?. Welcome, Stacey!]Now, thanks to The Kitchen Cure’s Week #2 assignment, your kitchen de-cluttered and you’ve probably freed up a lot of space.

Dishwashers are not among the most expensive of kitchen appliances (refrigerators seem to qualify for that honor) but they can still get very pricey, especially when you are looking at the high-end brands. Here’s a look at some of the more expensive dishwasher brands, and we’d like to know: Do you think they are worth it?

If you’re one of the over 2,400 people participating in our Spring Kitchen Cure, you spent the better part of this past week cleaning your refrigerator and pantry. (Not signed up? There’s still time!) I hope it’s been fun and that you’ve had great music playing.When we delve deep into the crisper and cabinets we often find forgotten ingredients.

Have you ever put on a pair of jeans or a sweater the morning after you’ve cooked a big meal, and find that your clothes still have a faint, lingering eau de pot roast? Short of putting them through the wash, here’s what we do to get rid of the odor!If we’re thinking ahead, we hang our clothes up before going to sleep. Hang each article of clothing on a separate hanger and put them somewhere well ventilated. If it’s warm outside, we put them next to an open window.

coffeechaser’s cabinets need a dusting badly!• This Week’s Assignment: Clean Out the Fridge and Pantry• Cure Clock: Liftoff! 4 weeks remaining• Cure Takers: 1,971 and counting… Welcome, everyone! There are almost 2,000 of you signed up. It’s like we’re sitting in a giant lecture hall together. But don’t worry, it’s going to be cozy with lots of one-on-one attention.

We were tired of our kitchen towels constantly slipping off the oven handle and winding up on the floor, so we devised this handy solution. It works quite well and we think it looks pretty cute, too!All this takes is a few lengths of leftover ribbon or yarn and some bull clips. Tie the ribbons in a square knot around the handle (“right over left, leftover right, makes the knot tidy and tight!”) so the ends lie flat and the knot stays tight even after repeated use.

Often times, when we talk about kitchen makeovers, even our most inexpensive options can seem a little pricey, but not this time! This kitchen makeover totaled a small $15 and gave the space a fresh new look. Ready to see the changes made?The cabinets were covered in white contact paper, giving them a new crisp feel and placemats were purchased from the dollar store and thumbtacked to the backsplash around the kitchen.

Q: Any good tips for getting a major honey spill off of my wood pantry shelf? I was thinking about scraping it, or steaming it, but I don’t even know where to start without making a bigger mess.Sent by AlexisEditor: Alexis, when we spill something majorly sticky like this, our approach is usually to just use lots and lots of very hot water. You could try soaking a kitchen cloth in boiling water and laying it over the honey to soften it.

Q: My very favorite Le Creuset pan has gotten all scratched and stained.You can see a dark ring where the warming burner has burnt on a stain. Is this all patina, or can I remove it somehow? I have stopped using it because it looks so messy, but I miss it and how well it cooks.Can you tell me if it’s possible to get these stains off my Le Creuset?Sent by StephenEditor: Stephen, we have scrubbed bad stains off our own Dutch ovens with Bon Ami or Barkeeper’s Friend and scrubbing pads.

We’re thinking about throwing a few small get togethers between January and February and we’re thinking cupcakes would be much easier than baking an entire cake (less clean up, less fuss!). Problem is, we’re trying to figure out the best way to serve the cupcakes.We came across a few cupcake stands that would do the trick. We only managed to find one that seemed to be neutral in its design and we found that to be pretty surprising.

Q: I’m planning to upgrade from the homely dish set that I bought as a college student ($12 at Goodwill, so I feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of them by now). I’m drawn by the clean-cut look of square plates, but I am wondering if there is a trade-off in functionality. Will they be a pain to put into cupboards or the dishwasher? Will dinners look undersized on a plate with all that extra real estate on the corners?

Back in September, reader Theresa showed us her DIY over-the-door pot rack. We decided to make a similar version in our own kitchen, and while our pots are nowhere near as nice and shiny as Theresa’s and our rack is slightly crooked at the moment, it’s already made a big space-saving difference.I (Joanna) installed my pot rack on an exterior door that leads to the back porch of my apartment. (We’ve joked that it doubles as a DIY burglar alarm.

Between turkey, pies, stuffing, and sweet potatoes, it seems like almost everything for the traditional Thanksgiving meal needs a spot in the oven. How do you make it all fit? How do you schedule your oven time? I have one very small apartment-sized oven; you can’t fit two 13×9 pans side by side on the racks, and a jelly roll pan barely fits. So I can’t double-up on dishes very much.

Q: My boyfriend’s apartment doesn’t have a dishwasher, and with all of his roomates living there, and everyone cooking each night, dishes are a real problem. There is limited counter space as well, so we are trying to find a multi-level dish rack — hopefully something with at least two full levels if not more.Short of building shelves for multiple standard dish racks I haven’t seen anything.

Over the past year I acquired several ceramic pieces of servingware that I really treasure. They’re fluid, organic, and unique. Well, I just realized that they were made by the same artisans: Mud Studio, in South Africa. Here’s a look at few more of Mud Studio’s organic, handmade pieces. Mud Studio is a small company in South Africa (and is not to be confused with Mud Australia, which is another ceramics company we like very much).

Look! A kitchen, and a rental kitchen at that, won first place in the International division of our Room for Color contest! We were very excited to see such a vibrant kitchen in the first place spot.Heather says that she built the color palette for her little kitchen around a paper parasol that she loves.

For etiquette advice, the last person we’d turn to is Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David, or at least his on-screen persona. But an issue he raised in Sunday’s season premiere got us thinking: Is it bad form to ask a host who else is coming to dinner?In typical fashion, Larry offended his friends with the question, particularly because he posed it before agreeing to attend the party and made it clear he didn’t really want to be there.

Five skilled home cooks. One featured ingredient. A few hours of kitchen competition. One really good dinner. These were the makings of a recent “Iron Chef” party we hosted for a small group of friends. Our friends hold a mid-month cooking competition that they call “the Ides,” which takes place at a different home with a different panel of judges each month. When they asked us if we would host one of the dinners, we were more than happy to oblige.

Removing the measuring spoonsrightThis is one of those simple and rather obvious tips that really makes such a difference. Single measuring spoons are a lot easier to maneuver into small jars of ingredients, and we’re not constantly trying to keep used measuring spoons from touching the clean ones. We also use the tablespoon and teaspoon measure the most, so there’s really no need to mess with the entire set every time we cook.

If you’re the type of cook who needs to know why onions make us cry and gets curious about the molecular structure of melting sugar, then this is definitely the book for you. It has become our #1 reference book for all questions relating to food science, and not a day goes by when we don’t end up consulting its pages for one reason or another.Title & Publisher: On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee. Published by Scribner, 2004.

When I first became serious about wine, I really noticed the difference that a good glass made to my appreciation of the wine. At that time the choice of wine glass was pretty polarized. Either I spent a great deal of money (more than I could afford) or I had to be content with an industrial, heavy, thick-lipped glass. There was very little to choose from in between.Today, I can still spend a lot of money on a great glass, but I can also get a really good wine glass for a modest spend.

For some of us, it’s a nice slice of pie. For others, maybe a wedge of cheese or a cup of coffee does the trick. Whatever that “little something” is, our meal doesn’t quite feel complete until we’ve had it! How do you like to finish your dinner?For my part, I’ve never been keen on big elaborate desserts, but I do like something sweet! A simple cookie or a scoop of ice cream will usually do it for me.

Are good wineglasses worth the money? Does a good wineglass enhance the wine? Should you use different glassware for red, white and sparkling wines? Are all good wineglasses expensive?In my opinion, the wineglass matters. However, as with wine itself, there are many opinions about wineglasses, and, as expected, a great deal of snobbery. From my experience tasting wine professionally for many years, here are a few of my thoughts on what really matters in a wineglass.

Not only will a spill pan under your baking dish catch those stray drips and dribbles, but it will also make it easier to move awkward pans in and out of the oven. Not all of our baking dishes have handles, and trying to grab them with thick oven mitts can sometimes be troublesome. It’s much easier to pick up and balance a whole tray instead!We usually use a free cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment for our spill tray. The foil or parchment makes clean-up much easier!

We received a question from a reader asking about the most useful and essential serving pieces. Carrie said that she just inherited a set of fine china, but the set (as well as her everyday Fiestaware) has no serving pieces. If you’re in the market for serving pieces, like Carrie, what should you get? Here are our picks for the most useful, basic, and essential serving dishes, and we’d love to hear your take on this as well.

We never gave much thought to this issue until recently when the subject came up at, of course, a dinner party. And really, it’s an interesting question to think about. After all, we always set a time when we want guests to arrive – so should we specify when they should leave?A friend of ours from Puerto Rico said that in her culture setting an end time would be considered very odd and even rude – like kicking your guests out before they even get to the party.

Who doesn’t hate walking in their kitchen and seeing a long trail of ants coming down the wall and amassing in a large group on the trash can? These persistent little critters can be difficult to deal with, but the situation is not hopeless. You can get them out of your kitchen without using toxic chemicals! I had tons of ant problems in our 1890’s Edwardian when we first moved in.

Mice in the kitchen! Have you ever had this problem? This is not a pleasant topic, and we’ll be the first to admit that. But it’s one that many of us have to deal with at one time or another, and we are curious: if you’ve had mice in the kitchen, how did you get rid of them? I live in a 100-year-old house that is full of creaky boards, massive heating ducts, loose wiring conduits, and great hiding spots for mice.

A few days ago, Emma asked for your suggestions on the best mop for the kitchen. You all gave a lot of good opinions, but I have one more. See, the mop I use most frequently is attached to my arm. I get down on my hands and knees with a sponge to clean my kitchen floor, and I have several reasons why. First is my own persnickety nature. I like to get eye to eye with the dirt. I want to see the nooks and crannies up close and make sure they’re getting clean.

Please, just one! We’ve tried all sorts of mops, from those sponge-type ones to smaller home-versions of the industrial cotton string mop. They’re unwieldy, messy, and half the time we just feel like we’re pushing dirt around. We’re in the market for a new one and we’d like a good one this time!

When we’re throwing a dinner party or any other kind of gathering, we like to do as much of the cooking ahead of timeJust bake the cake as normal and let it cool completely on the counter. Then wrap it in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of tin foil to protect it from freezer burn, and lay it flat in the freezer. Don’t forget to label it with the type of cake and the date!

Let’s help Kitchen Cure-taker woodnymph here with their refrigerator and freezer issue. This was their note to me along with the above photos:fridge (notice the gross spill in the bottom – who knows how long that’s been there?)door (thing often fall out when you open or close it)freezer (no idea what’s in back) We need to help this person get their Cure going!What are your favorite tips for organizing your refrigerator and freezer?

We tend to associate carafes with Parisian street cafés and shmancy high end dining, but they can have a place at home, too! Serving wine, juice, or even just plain water out of a carafe is an easy way to add a touch of elegance to a dinner party. Here are a few we’re currently coveting…• Cora Carafe from CB2, $9.95 – hand-blown glass and a sleek modern design (via Black Eiffel).

The first time we saw a stocky pair of salad hands sticking out of a friend’s salad bowl, we were not impressed. They look like bear claws, frankly. But over the years, we’ve noticed we tend to toss salads with our bare hands—so much more efficient than trying to use traditional tongs. We can really dig down into the bowl to get the dressing and ingredients perfectly combined.

We just came across Tomas Kral’s portfolio of kitchen tool designs, and we love his practical yet whimsical sensibility. Take a look at five designs that have real potential for use in the kitchen!We love looking at designers’ portfolios and prototypes for new kitchen gadgets, but we’re often left a little cold by the lack of potential for really practical applications. They may look cool, but they’re not going to work in a real kitchen.

To Jumpstart Page Info and All EntriesProject: Mom’s Kitchen: From Storage Box to Tiffany Box!Name: AlixTime: 3 daysCost: $275 Now here’s an early Mother’s Day present that goes far beyond a bouquet of flowers! Alix made over her mother’s kitchen as a surprise, and she took her inspiration from the little blue Tiffany jewelbox. Read on to see how Alix transformed this space into a jewelbox of a kitchen. BEFORETOOLS:– Drill (can not live without my cordless drill!!!

Do your kids help out with the cooking in your house? Whether they’re toddlers or teenagers, Beth Sheresh thinks that there are lots of ways that kids can contribute in the kitchen – not to mention the garden, the grocery store, and the farmer’s market! After reading her book Picture Yourself Cooking with Your Kids, she definitely has us convinced…Rather than simply focusing on “kid-friendly” recipes, Sheresh takes a very holistic approach.

Several months ago we posted a survey about how you clean your ovens. Many of you are self-cleaning oven fans, it turns out. We gave ours a whirl recently, after we got tired of the sticky roasted chicken grease splattered everywhere.Well, it did not go as planned. Not at all. A neighbor complained, the super showed up… Read on. Maybe our pain can be your gain.This is what our oven looked like before. Most of that gunk is chicken grease.

It’s DIY Month, and we’re encouraging you to take care of all your projects around the house, even in the kitchen! We get lots of questions from renters who want to spruce up their kitchens without breaking the bank (or their lease agreement). When you rent you rarely have permission or resources to renovate a cramped or ugly kitchen. But there are simple, inexpensive, and creative ways to make your kitchen brighter and better.

If you’re wondering what kind of dessert to serve at a cocktail party (or really, any party!) let me offer this suggestion: cake bites! This is a fun little way to serve cake without fussing with plates, forks, or even cupcake wrappers, and their poppable nature makes them tailor-made for a cocktail party. Get a recipe: Essential Recipe: Chocolate Layer Cake Making cake bites is super easy: just bake a sheet cake in a larger pan than usual.

We were all fascinated by the swank dinner party on a budget from the Times last weekend, and it also generated quite a bit of discussion yesterday. The general consensus was that the table was gorgeous and magical — a setting for a special dinner that went far beyond our usual small arrangements of flowers and candles. It was breathtaking. But the food — well, it didn’t overwhelm us the way the once-a-year-special, magical realist table setting did.So we went shopping.

With Thanksgiving nipping at our heels, it’s a good time to remember all the things that help make a meal a great meal. Here’s one I learned from both my mother and my husband: warm plates make a huge difference.I’ll admit that I don’t warm the plates every time I serve someone food, but when it feels special, I always try to give them a little kiss of warmth. Here are a few ways of doing it.

Why is there a bay leaf in our flour canister?Years ago, in the midst of a moth infestation, we read that bay leaves repel pantry insects. Everyone from beetles to weevils, moths, cockroaches, ants, and flies is said to hate the herb’s fragrance. The leaves can be placed in containers of flour, rice, and other dry goods, or taped inside cupboards and shelves. Of course, this should not preclude other bug deterring efforts like regular cleaning and storing foods in airtight containers.

We know that, to some of you, the thought of waking up to a kitchen full of sticky, crusty dishes is worse than any hangover. And usually we agree. We like to clean up as we cook, as much as possible, and have all the dishes finished before we go to bed. But.

Because we can’t! We’ve tried and practiced and strategized, but if those guests arrive before we’re done cooking, we’re goners. What about you?!We’re pretty good at multi-tasking while we’re actually cooking, but carrying on a conversation at the same time seems to require a different kind of concentration – and one at which we are not adept!We miss steps in the recipes and forget to finish our sentences.

We recently noticed rue at our farmers’ market herb stand. Our only familiarity with the plant was from Shakespeare (Ophelia used it in her garland), so we asked our vendor for recommendations. She told us that rue has traditionally been used in folk remedies, but that most people find it too bitter to eat. She also had another intriguing suggestion…Put it in the kitchen, she said – it will keep flies at bay!