I've been on a bit of a lemon kick lately. Meyer lemons, that is. For the longest time I would read recipes and blog posts of friends flaunting their use of Meyer lemons, yet I couldn't get my hands on them. I searched every grocer and farmer's market in town with no luck. I dreamed to cook with these mysterious lemons that everyone else seemed to have in great bounty. … [Read more...]
Beef Stroganoff, "All or Nothing" Sometimes I watch my little girl in wonder. She will decide that we are having "party night" and goes about the house making decorations, invitations, signs, and appetizers (cheese and crackers and cereal mix). She'll even make or find little trinkets to put in goodie bags! Then after dinner the rest of us are herded into the living room to join her party. My bright eyed seven-year-old does this sort of thing regularly. She plans to play a board game and either pulls out ALL the games and makes it an event, or spends hours creating a new board game. She … [Read more...]
The Aftermath, and Greek Pasta with Shrimp Tomato and Kalamata Olives. Well friends, Halloween is over. Decorations are coming down. The litter is off the lawn. The grass is rebounding from a hoard of spiked heels tromping through. The recycling bins are overflowing. Excessive makeup and hairspray have washed away. The neighborhood is quiet. My head has stopped spinning. Halloween in Kenilworth is famous for being unpredictable. You truly never know quite what to expect, or how many people to plan for. The neighbors spend a year's worth of creative energy on one day's display. It can … [Read more...]
Labor of Love, AKA Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Whiskey Cream Sauce. Human beings are fairly predictable. We generally do things for others, for one of two reasons--to GIVE or to GET. It doesn't really matter what the action is; giving or getting is always the underlying motivation. Sadly it's most common to give TO GET. If you watch people closely you can usually read their intentions. They are after title, promotion, acceptance, favors, money. Their smiles and efforts seem luring, but their agenda is purely selfish. Yet if you don't lose hope, along the way, some will surprise … [Read more...]
Meant To Be~ I'm a sucker for a classic romance. I don't read a whole lot of current "chic lit" unless it comes highly recommended by a friend. But certain novels that were required reading in my high school literature class, have a close-to permanent position on my nightstand! I won't list them, as to not further peg myself as a sappy daydreamer. I equally enjoy sitting down with couple-friends and hearing, or rehearing, the story of how they met. Some people were obviously just meant to be together! You can try to take all the "mush" out of it, if you want, telling yourself it's just … [Read more...]
It's the dish that always bring a smile to the faces of children and grownups alike. Classic and comforting, the perfect meal to end any sort of day. Stuffed Ricotta Shells with Marinara. Simple. Completely void of elegance; this humble dish delivers a big impact! Creamy, savory, a touch of spice...I'd bet money even your pickiest eaters will ask for seconds! Preparation: If making your own marinara, follow the instructions below. Add 1 pinch of crushed red pepper to the homemade or jarred sauce. Lightly oil or spray a 9X13 pan and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350*. Bring a … [Read more...]
Here is a classic BIG-flavor dish that takes a short amount of time to prepare. Pasta Puttanesca, the word puttan means worthless, or throw-away (also slang for hooker) in Italian and several other languages. The dish was named puttanesca because the ingredients were all a chef had left in his pantry one night--just the leftover items from a busy day in the kitchen. I'd say he discovered a pretty terrific combination! Fresh, herbs, lots of briny olives and capers, tomatoes...what's not to love? (After shots revised 2/12.) You could serve this as a … [Read more...]
I love to leisurely putz around my kitchen on the weekends. We make huge breakfasts that we don't serve until almost lunch time, we bake cookies, and we eat dinners that take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to prepare. It's fun to do that sometimes. On weeknights however, I often find myself rushing around trying to throw together a healthful and appealing meal, before kiddie bath time, stories, and bed. In the last few years many of my glacial recipes have mutated into what I call "mommy recipes." These are meals that I've found short cuts to reduce the prep and cooking time. Often these are the … [Read more...]
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