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 … [Read more...]
Or better titled Love in the Smokehouse. *wink* Sometimes you get the chance to walk into a person's life at a divinely appointed moment, and witness something truly wonderful. That characterizes my encounter with friends Jody and Steve Dunning, owners of Okie Dokies Smokehouse in Swannanoa, … [Read more...]
Every restaurant has a particular feel, usually a preconceived ambiance. The owner wants to impress upon you...hip, funky, HIGH-CLASS, or casual. … [Read more...]
I like to feature local restaurants on occasion, and this is one I'm very excited to share! 12 Bones Smokehouse is an undeniable Asheville icon, serving up sumptuous ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey, brisket and a slew of southern sides, like corn pudding. … [Read more...]
Adding a simple twist to classic dishes can really give your Thanksgiving meal an appealing BOOST! Take cranberry relish for instance... As a little girl I remember it being something that slide out of a can in a jiggling gelatinous mass (sorry mom for tattling). On a good year, whole cranberries … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving can be a little overwhelming for first time hosts. Heck, Thanksgiving can cause anxiety in award-winning chefs...don't feel bad if the thought of it gives you hives! Here are some helpful tips to get you off on the right track: 1. Pour yourself a glass of wine before you start … [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 … [Read more...]
Fresh Peach and Basil Salad After moving to the South, I quickly noticed an abundance of road-side produce sellers. Some with little wooden shacks, others selling out of the back end of their pickup trucks. I would drive down the road and suddenly see the most glorious melons or deep purple … [Read more...]
Last minute dinners ~ Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri and Summer Veggies Even for those of us that love to tinker around our kitchens, there are days...dare I say it out loud? Days I just don't feel like it! Days I'm either so busy or so focused on something else, the idea of cooking … [Read more...]
Change Tastes Good~ It's human nature too think "my way is the right way." We often draw conclusions about a certain matter, then fossilize them in our minds. Even with focused effort of being open to new ideas, sometimes our brains simply hit the "automatic reset button" and we are back to … [Read more...]
