My circuitous route to this blog is peppered with my experiences and my passions. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia I had the pleasure of observing my Czech father and English mother produce amazing food, exploring their European culinary heritage while using the thoroughly Virginian ingredients at hand. Later, in boarding school in the English countryside, I began to relish, first hand, the connection between local ingredients and simple, delicious food.
In college I had the pleasure of sharing a house with a number of extraordinary—not to mention competitive—cooks (you know who you are!) who taught me so much, not just about cooking, but most importantly, to be brave in the kitchen and for goodness sake, just to give things a try. In Charlottesville, where “meal plan” aka our weeknight dinner parties, were the most highly sought invitations in town, I learned the joy of cooking and eating with friends. It didn’t have to be fancy—though it could be—but it did have to be interesting, fun to tackle and above all, delicious.
Always an enthusiastic reader, I’ve read countless cookbooks and have come to feel that many of my favorite authors are old buddies, just sitting in abeyance on my bookshelf waiting to weigh in on any of my frequent questions, tangents or curiosities. My favorites are Elizabeth David, James Villas, M.F.K. Fisher, Mrs. Beeton, Ina Garten, Julia Child, Patricia Wells, Richard Sax, Laurie Colwin….well, you get the idea.
My friends are a constant source of inspiration to me. Their generosity in sharing ideas, experiences, food, wine and festivity with me is boundless, as is my gratitude and love for them, as you’ll come to see in this blog. Our food camaraderie is a precious thread that runs through my life and travels.
Nowadays, I can be found busy in my kitchen overlooking the James River, surrounded by my family and friends, continuing my life’s journey as an enthusiastic, intrepid home cook. I’m pleased to be writing a monthly column in the Richmond Times Dispatch called “Clare’s Kitchen” that explores some of the things I’m up to. Here in Clare Fare I hope to provide more recipes, more kitchen stories of culinary hilarity, happiness and disaster, and above all, something to move you into your own kitchen with a spring in your step and a sense of the possibilities that await you.
Be fearless, and let me know how you fare.
This is so great! Cheers!
Clare, I love this! My father was Czech too, though it was him mom who was the fabulous cook. Let’s have tea. 11
errr – I mean his mom – am I really an editor?!
I love the name Clare Fare – will bookmark this site for great recipes. Good luck with the site.
Clare, this is fabulous___so glad Nancy let me know. Actually served Osso Bucco and Risotto to guests jast week, but will try your recipe next time. Good Luck!
Clare,
what an inspiration-you are too cool! Can’t wait to make the chocolate gingerbread cookies!
Claire,
Love your site and your T.D. segment. I feel like packing up my 58 cook books and just “cooking Clare”. Who
came up with the great Clare Fare graphic?……
So pleased you like ClareFare! The wonderful graphic was made by Caroline Stutts who did such a great job she got hired away and is now in NYC at http://www.dailycandy.com . Thanks for writing!
What a treat to discover your website – I’ve so enjoyed your columns in the Richmond Times-Dispatch… especially this morning’s piece on asparagus! (I, too, think the big fat ones are best, and LOVE to eat them with my fingers!)
Looking forward to more recipes and more good R T-D columns!
I made the Creme Vichyssoise from your May 25th column for dinner guests this week – it was a cool pool of refreshment on an especially warm evening!
Aha…the green beans, and a mention…I could not ask for more, except the possibility of making the beans tonight…the memory lingers on my tastebuds still after our return to the northeast! Thanks!!
Sarah
Clare, I’ve just discovered your website from the article in the RTD this AM. I loved it and will become a devoted fan!
Thank you.
Marty
Claire, I have finally subscribed to your blog! I haven’t been cooking much until recently so I’m just getting around to it. Actually tonight I made your Arugula Fried Oyster Salad from you’re Oyster article about Pooh in the Times from January ’11. My dad brought home some select oysters from Tappahanock area and was searching for different recipes online and stumbled upon yours.
It was a hit! I followed it to a T (breading and all) except I forgot to get pinenuts so I subbed pecans instead. My parents said it was 5star. Thanks Clare! Can’t wait to try you’re granola and much much more.
– Michael (Peter’s friend from the Polyface busride)
Michael,
I’m so delighted to hear from you! How’s the soup making going? Evey time I grab my immersion blender I think of you, and wonder if you’ve gotten one yet!
I loved going to Polyface, so much….what a great day! And I’m so pleased the oysters were a hit….It’s Pooh’s house where we roasted the pig I told you about….
So pleased you’ve found the blog….hope to run into you again soon! I still need to get over to that Korean Barbeque joint you told me about, but I haven’t forgotten about it!
Clare,
I’ve got to thank you for the birthday recommendations you passed along to my mom. I’ve finally got an immersion blender! My mom ended up getting me James Peterson’s “Splendid Soups” and I couldn’t be more excited. As we transition from fall to winter I know I will get plenty of use out of both the blender and the cookbook. I think a new soup each week will be my goal. I may start with the posole soup you posted recently…that looks fantastic!
Maybe this winter I will get into baking too, your baking posts are quite enticing!
Best,
Michael
Hi Michael,
I thought of you yesterday as I drove past Swoope, scene of our wonderful trip to Polyface Farm, and wondered how your birthday surprise went over! I’m thrilled you are so pleased with your presents and excited for your soup adventure! Please keep in touch and let me know how your culinary explorations are going. And please send along any killer soup recipes you discover!
Have a wonderful winter of cooking, and I hope to see you again soon!
Best,
Clare