Quail eggs are sweet, some might even say darling, in the same way that a petits-four or a mini tartlette is. But they can also be quite expensive. Usually I cruise by them at the market, thinking longingly of making diminutive hard-boiled eggs, topped with dollops of cool, black caviar. But each time I pick up those tiny cartons, and see the price– around $6 for one dozen, I quickly put these eggs back on the shelf, and scurry away. Five quail eggs equals about one chicken egg, and let’s just say I am usually not feeding dainty diners.
But in Chinatown, during my splendid day out, there were stacks and stacks of quail eggs, in cartons of 24 (that’s two dozen, mind you!), all to be had for $3 and some change. You have to love Chinatown. I of course bought a passel, and [...]

I must admit, I am not the hugest fan of the 30-minute meal, at least not for dinner anyway. Maybe it is simply that I am at a different place in my life. One where time is not of the essence, but I actually enjoy the time that I spend in the kitchen, chopping, roasting, preparing. But there are times when I do get dinner on the table in a speedy fashion, and I must say that when I do, I feel as if I have won a race. And the prize for my accomplishment? A delicious and satisfying meal.
An assemblage of all things tasty and bright, I like to call this dish deconstructed asparagus and hollandaise. Hollandaise can be a bit much; wobbly and heavy, it reminds me a bit of that dreaded (to me) condiment– mayonnaise. But an egg, fried crisply in olive oil, sunny side up, yolk [...]