Email Author C.M. Redding

2009 Stories by C.M. Redding

• When Making Lasagna, Start with a Stiff Noodle

  published December 31, 2009

  Phoenix is a funny place, the desert and all its inhabitants. The Valley ebbs and flows with people, a revolving door of sorts. Most of the... More >>

• Forking Via Facebook

  published November 26, 2009

  I've recently promised a few friends I wouldn't write stories about them. I'm about to break that promise because their stories are just too odd... More >>

• What Your Kitchen Doesn’t Say About You, Your Bathroom Just Might

  published October 29, 2009

  I think the year was 1998 when my friend Indigo emerged from my bathroom smiling. She was impressed that I had Aveda shampoo in my shower. I guess... More >>

• Birds of a Feather Fork Together – At Least for a While

  published October 15, 2009

  Maybe it's because I'm turning 40 this year, but I've been spending a lot of time thinking about decisions I've made in the past. I mean, really,... More >>

• Whether in the Bedroom or the Kitchen, Practice Makes Perfect

  published September 17, 2009

  Why is it that we think we can just read a recipe, buy all the ingredients, and cook a masterpiece on the very first try? I mean, come on,... More >>

• Naming the Crustacean You Bought for Dinner Means You’re Too Attached

  published September 3, 2009

  I was recently talking to my birth-uncle Jed (I know, I have an Uncle Jed) about eating authentic ethnic food. Jed went on and on about how... More >>

• Finding Contentment In Boursin Cheese

  published August 20, 2009

  I always used to say, "It's a fine line between being alone and being lonely." I think I've crossed that line. I know I made this decision to... More >>

• Mango Salsa Pants

  published August 6, 2009

  Editor's note: C.M. Redding's musings on food and dating will continue unabated — but "Spooning" now has a new name:... More >>

• Eating Spinach Makes You Strong to the Finish

  published July 23, 2009

  Toot, toot! It's summertime in Phoenix, meaning the streets are as deserted as a Wisconsin cul-de-sac in December. We're all... More >>

• Sacrificial Lambs and Olfactory Sensation Beneath the Light of the Moon

  published June 25, 2009

  When I think back to some of my culinary shortcomings, Denny's often comes to mind. I always used to order Moons Over My Hammy, which was an egg... More >>

• Towels: Your Kitchen Wingman

  published June 11, 2009

  If you really want to make a statement while cooking for that special someone, then dress the part. Professional cooks wear a smock and a fancy... More >>

• Summer Guide: Discover Nature and Find Yourself

  published June 4, 2009

  It's way too early on a Sunday morning. I'm lying in bed listening as the iPod magically shuffles to the Stones. "You can't always get... More >>

• Polish Sausage, Grape Jelly, and Fleeting Relationships

  published May 7, 2009

  I decided recently to make some life changes. I quit my day job and rented my house for the next six months. Hell, the economy sucks, so I figure... More >>

• Nothing Says Romance Like Radicchio

  published April 23, 2009

  I can't begin to tell you how many flowers I've destroyed playing this childish game. Truth is, we all play it, one way or another. Is love a game... More >>

• Why Bacon Is Cheaper than Therapy

  published April 9, 2009

  "I'm crazy for tryin'. I'm crazy for cryin'. I'm crazy for loving you." La la la. I'm not a country music kind of guy, but living in the... More >>

• How Not to Make Cedar Plank Salmon

  published March 26, 2009

  It's finally that time of year in the desert when we aren't in a not-so-hot season! Spring is in the air (at least for a week or two) and... More >>

• Wasabi Potatos and Espresso-Encrusted Filets Lead to Better Steak-Out Sessions

  published March 12, 2009

  "Steak and potatoes" is a phrase people often use to describe themselves. As in, "Hey, I'm a steak-and-potatoes type of guy." But just... More >>

• Obtain a Kiss Kiss with Couscous

  published February 26, 2009

  Well, it's around 11 on a Wednesday night and I've just pounded a huge cup of coffee. Let me explain. I recently quit drinking, and it seems... More >>

• The Legend of the Valentine’s Day Crow

  published February 12, 2009

  I grew up in a household that was extremely self-sufficient. As soon as you were old enough (tall enough) to open the fridge, or reach the... More >>

• Add Kids to the Dating Mix and You'll Get Some Corny Humor

  published January 29, 2009

  Dating someone with kids is tricky — are you a parental figure or a friend? And there are plenty of awkward talks with the ex, if he or she... More >>

• First Dates Go Better with Buffalo Wings and Blue Cheese

  published January 15, 2009

  What I'm trying to do is guide you through a series of date possibilities — all related to food. This week, we'll venture out of the... More >>

• Champagne Is for True Romantics – and Nurses

  published January 1, 2009

  One night, around 10 years back, I slaved to create this fantastic Moroccan lamb dish. I was drinking wine in the afternoon when my date showed... More >>