Celery root (Celeriac) is a root vegetable. This gnarly-looking root need not be judged by it’s cover anymore. What you’ll find beneath is a creamy, white flesh with a deliciously sweet, smokey flavor. This humble vegetable packs some serious health benefits: it’s high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. […]
Recent Posts
Cornbread With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
For years I have been in the hunt for the perfect cornbread. There’s cakey, dense, sweet, savory… you name it. The style really doesn’t matter when the bread ends up in the chili anyway! I’ve come to the conclusion that my preference is a typical cornbread with a twist. I […]
Chicken Chili
Fall, football, chili and beer! Is there a better combination? I think not. The aroma of onions, garlic, and cumin filling the house makes game day something special. I have been making this version of the fall classic for years. The original recipe was made with *(ground turkey). I prefer […]
Autumn Apple Salad
IT’S APPLE SEASON. We had an apple orchard within 2 miles of our home when the kids were young, so we spent many autumn days apple picking, cider drinking and donut eating (never got that connection). We love apples! This time of year any apple recipe stops me in my tracks. […]
Butternut Squash Soup
Hello Fall! This is my favorite season….crisp air, bonfires, sweaters, football and fabulous autumn fare. (And a very welcome change from the summer to forget). I have vivid memories of my Mom baking halves of acorn squash filled with butter, salt and pepper and serving all eight of us this […]
Apple Galette
I had approximately an hour and a half before my friend Mary was stopping by for a Happy Birthday glass of champagne. I just looked at this recipe the day before and had all the ingredients in the house, so this made for a perfect impromptu happy (birthday) hour. Time did […]
Roasted Fennel with Asiago and Thyme
When you roast fennel it takes on a whole new depth of flavor, much different than its raw form. The slight licorice flavor mellows and the roasted bulbs turn to a nutty sweetness. I think this side makes for a nice accompaniment to any grilled or roasted entree. I love […]
Red Snapper Packets with Asparagus Rounds
When my kids called and asked for a great way to prepare fish at home I suggested they think back to the days of Girls Scouts and Indian Guides when everything went into a foil packet over the fire! O.K… so this may be kicked up a notch but certainly […]
Pork Tenderloin With Cherry Salsa
Cherry season peaks in June/July in the U.S. and we are winding down on one of my favorite seasonal flavors. You think cherries and think dessert. You think chocolate and think dessert. But both are way more versatile. This recipe combines these two flavors to create a savory and sweet […]
Zucchini Ribbons with Fresh Tomato Sauce
What’s for dinner? This recipe takes so few ingredients and so little time…..it’s a simple idea for a quick weeknight meal. I’m not the biggest fan of zucchini but Randy is. However, I do appreciate a creative technique. Slicing the zucchini into ribbons not only makes for a nice presentation […]
Plum Crazy Salad
This is an elegant summer salad with a blend of sweet and savory. The winning flavor combination for me is tarragon in the dressing and thin slices of fennel in the salad. The tarragon is a retro flavor that brings me back to the late 80’s when the culinary world […]
Harvest Bruschetta
It was harvest time at the Common Threads Garden this week. Tomatoes, swiss chard, kale, oregano, basil and chives were all on the menu for the day. The children seemed apprehensive with the ingredients at first……..however ………..they all loved the results!! Healthy eating tastes good!!!!!!! Harvest Bruschetta (adapted from a Common […]
Grilled Peaches
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said …..I never get a good peach!! So last week I spent some time at the farmers market with a peach farmer from Michigan. I now know more than I’ve ever wanted to know about peaches!!! (Sadly, 80% of his stone fruit […]
Tomato Tart
It’s tomato season!!!! We wait for months for this bounty and now that the harvest is abundant let’s find our favorite tomato recipes! I have been making this tart for years and it never disappoints. (Adapted from Kathy Harrison’s Cooking Class) You can be as creative as there are shapes […]
Grilled Pineapple Dessert
Keep the grill lit! This is an easy end to a backyard BBQ that will make you want to book your winter trip to Jamaica mon! 1 pineapple cooking spray 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup rum flaked coconut, toasted 1 pint coconut macaroon ice cream (or vanilla) […]
Chorizo Flatbread
A few weeks ago we gathered with good friends for a casual Friday night dinner party. Tom and Maureen always entertain with such ease and style, I usually leave with a great take-away. This flatbread has not left my mind since. The combination of garlic aioli, greens, parmesan, and chorizo […]
Leftover BBQ Breakfast
Oooops! Just when I thought all the guests had left for the evening …..they didn’t. We woke up to the leftovers both in the people variety and food. I wasn’t planning on serving breakfast but quickly needed to whip something up. Not tons of options in the fridge but had […]
S’MORE THE MERRIER
Who knew that today, August 10th is National S’mores Day??? I didn’t. I’ve always associated that sticky classic with Fall, bonfires and crisp cool air. Well…. last winter I hosted a “Comfort Food” evening with a few college friends and was looking for the perfect dessert. When Randy suggested roasting […]
Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad
I know, I know…..it’s been done. I’m not trying to re-invent the wheel here, only to document a GREAT salad. The combination of sweet watermelon, salty feta and refreshing mint make this the perfect summer salad. Be creative!! I decided to show two ways to serve this seasonal dish. First, as […]
Scallops with Avocado Salsa
I love scallops. The husband loves scallops. Our good friends Mark and Kathleen love scallops. This recipe has become a regular appetizer for our casual get-togethers. The combination of fresh summer produce and a caramelized scallop is hard to top. We pair this with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Avocado Salsa 1 avocado diced […]
Wheat Berry Salad with Mango
Approximately twelve years ago, I was fortunate to be able to travel to Ecuador. On that trip I discovered quinoa, a grain that when I came home was nowhere to be found. I learned so much about quinoa and it’s importance in the South American diet. This ancient grain is one of […]
Gazpacho
Chicago, like 80% of the country, is burning up. I’m starting to feel robbed as we are losing much of our summer to indoors and air-conditioning! In lieu of BBQ, we are eating lots of salads and cooler alternatives. I have never been a big fan of cold soups but […]
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