Don’t let the preparation of these prickly thistles intimidate you. Artichokes are in season and this method of braising is easy. Once you trim the leaves and cut out the choke your work is done. My Mom’s typical preparation for artichokes was to steam them. (Always somewhat problematic because of […]
Recent Posts
Grilled Lamb Chops With Mint Pesto
Spring. Renewal. Lamb. We have cracked the 50 degree mark and the sun is shinning!! With the return of the farmers market, and warmer days… we are back grilling! Lamb is a perfect meat for the season and is a classic pairing with mint. I would complete the meal with […]
Pea and Mint Salad
I’m a pea convert. Going back to my childhood and recalling the mushy, tasteless little guys had me avoiding them for years. Now, I look forward to peas in their season. Peas are the crowning glory of the spring season with a naturally sweet flavor which enhance and complement […]
Gorgonzola Cheese Straws
This is the week that spring arrives. Tell that to the weather Gods. I however, have made the culinary switch…..welcome to spring fare. Fresh, healthy and green….with an occasional twist. To accompany the many salads and side dishes try these easy to make cheese straws. Savory, rich with a bit […]
Asparagus Ribbon Quiche
Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Easter brunch, bridal shower or spring luncheon…..quiche never disappoints. Make the most of the available in season produce. Spring asparagus is markedly different with sweeter shoots and a tender texture. Using a vegetable peeler will eliminate the need to blanch the asparagus. Gruyere adds a […]
Meyer Lemon Tart
It’s Meyer Lemon Season. My suggestion is to run not walk to pick up these lemons to make this tart. Meyer lemon season is December to April. These floral, thin skinned fruits (with an origin from China) are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin or common orange. […]
Corned Beef And Cabbage Egg Rolls
Leftovers!! St. Paddy’s Day is over and you’re left with day old cabbage, corned beef, potatoes and carrots. Couple of thoughts. Sliders with corned beef, crunchy cabbage/carrot slaw and a mayo-horseradish sauce. Corned beef hash, made into patties and served with poached eggs. OR egg rolls. I pick egg rolls. […]
Corned Beef And Cabbage
Once a year I make corned beef and cabbage. Then I wonder why?? Why only once a year!! This family style dinner has become our familiar St. Paddy’s Day feast with all the traditional trimmings of boiled cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. When the kids were home…this was an easy meal to literally […]
French Onion Soup
It’s chilly. No, actually it’s freezing. I think a bowl of hot soup is just what the Doctor ordered, especially when the soup is filled with onions that are high in flavonoids and Vitamin C…..a known immune system booster. This classic dish is rich, savory and comforting. Great for […]
Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake
I have never made a cake with olive oil. I certainly have never made a cake with blood oranges. The combination of the two intrigued me. The rich herbal tones of olive oil and blood oranges with their crimson colored flesh and unique flavor profile result in a not-too-sweet, moist […]
Roasted Chickpeas
Easy, healthy, crunchy, and addicting. Roasted chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are perfect for a quick snack that will probably not require a trip to the store. With only 4 ingredients you can be snacking in about 40 minutes. Season to your liking…I just happened to use cajun spices. These crunchy […]
Chicken Pot Pie
As I’m rolling out the dough, it’s snowing…..it’s perfect! I love winter. I love snow. That + this= comfort. This warm, hearty chicken stew loaded with vegetables and savory sauce makes the ultimate winter classic. A couple of years ago my Mom gave me the chicken pot pie she received as […]
Spinach Salad With Dates And Almonds
The cookbook “Jerusalem” is touted as one of the best or the best cookbook of 2012…. vibrant cuisines and compelling stories of the authors homeland. This spinach salad has a fantastic combination of flavors, and textural components. Toasting the pecans and pitas results in a crunchy salad that’s sweet […]
Lobster Risotto
I love lobster!! I just don’t want to deal with it…. the whole lobster is more than I want to handle. It actually makes me sad to throw that whole lobster in hot boiling water. Last week when I was at Diamond Seafood and saw a package of lobster […]
Chocolate Wontons
So this morning I was looking in the fridge and saw that the wonton wrappers had an expiration date of… tomorrow. I had Nutella, fruit and bingo….an easy Valentine dessert the kids will LOVE to make. At Common Threads when we “visit China” we make vegetable wontons and the kids […]
Chocolate Lava Cake
New York Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is credited with inventing this molten masterpiece back in 1987. This decadent dessert was meant to be individual chocolate cakes. However, they were taken out of the oven too early. Hence, this cake that oozes a chocolate center onto the plate was born. Serve this dessert […]
Caramelized Seared Scallops
There aren’t many entrees as elegant and simple as seared scallops. For our Valentine’s Day Menu I am trying a new version of these flavorful jewels. In Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc cookbook, he brines the scallops for 10 minutes to achieve a rich salty flavor throughout. They are then seared in a […]
Beet And Goat Cheese Napoleons
Were you born with the beet gene? I was. I love beets!! This time of year with their rich crimson color and heart healthy benefits, they make me think of Valentines Day. For years, Randy and I would make dinner reservations to celebrate this romantic evening. Now……we prefer to make […]
Blood Orange And Fennel Salad
I have always associated oranges with winter. Specifically, my childhood Christmas stocking. Now, when all my sisters and I get together over the holidays the conversation about our stockings typically comes up. And yes, we talk about how half of our stockings were taken up by the ORANGE! Rippage. So […]
Asian Meatballs With Hoisin Sauce
Thinking of the big game and what to serve? Meatballs come to mind. A combination of pork, beef and a traditional marinara sauce certainly makes a crowd pleasing appetizer. Fortunately, a few months ago I made Asian chicken lettuce wraps and all the ingredients for these meatballs are in my […]
Black Bean Soup With Guacamole And Chips
Are you looking for a low-fat black bean soup recipe that will warm you up in 30 minutes? Well, here it is! The ingredients below are typically in my pantry so this soup comes together quickly. This south of the border family favorite has a rich, creamy texture and delivers […]
Winter Salad With Kale, Acorn Squash And Quinoa
Cold winter salads should be filling and comforting. Bonus: in the height of flu season, this heart healthy salad is fortified with immune boosting ingredients and is sure to keep that doctor away. Kale (a superfood) and quinoa (gluten-free) are the stars of this entree, rich in nutrients, antioxidants and […]
Tomato Soup With Parmesan Crisps
What are your memories when you hear tomato soup? I think snow, brisk cold air, sitting in front of a roaring fire, skiing, sledding, ice skating, grilled cheese, family and other simple pleasures. Tomato soup makes me feel warm and fuzzy! Do yourself a favor….don’t open “the can.” Make this […]
A Berry Good Smoothie
I’m really not a New Years Resolution type however, this is easy. Drink healthy! I was a very happy recipient of a Vita-Mix blender recently and have been throwing anything I get my hands on into this magic machine! I am in heaven. How is it possible that every combo […]
Ahi Tuna Appetizer
Do you know your local fishmonger??? Fortunately, we live in a community with a reliable, go-to merchant. I am thankful for the Hannigans at Diamond Fresh Seafood for my weekly fresh fish fix! (Say that three times fast!) This recipe calls for a sushi grade piece of Ahi / Yellowfin Tuna (this is a […]
Cioppino
(Update from 2012!) Cioppino is an Italian seafood stew. The base is brothy and light allowing the fresh seafood to really shine. It’s surprisingly easy to make and great for entertaining because you can make the flavorful broth ahead- then simply add the fish right before serving. Garnish with lemon and […]
Creme Brulee
Since I’m on a creme brulee kick (and who doesn’t LOVE it)….here’s the dessert version. The combination of hard, caramelized sugar atop velvety-smooth, chilled custard is the draw to this French classic (translates to “burnt cream”). It’ s a great make-ahead finale for your holiday dinner parties. Bottom line, this recipe […]
Creme Brulee French Toast
When Scott was at Indiana University he would take us to his favorite spot on campus for brunch. Up Town Cafe was the inspiration for our newly adapted tradition…creme brulee french toast. From that first bite… I searched for a recipe to recreate that delicious experience. In the seven years […]
Smoked Salmon Appetizer Platter
During the holiday season we all have places to go and people to see. You call to accept the invitation and then you ask that dreaded question… “what can I bring” and the answer is “an appetizer would be great!” (Be honest, you were hoping to hear…we don’t need a […]
Chocolate Almond Torte
I confess, I’m not much of a baker. What I really mean is I like to cook. Oh…I guess what I really mean is I don’t like to measure ingredients!! You just won’t find me baking on a lazy Sunday afternoon!! Of course when I entertain I like a […]
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