Crustless Quiche & Sundried Tomatoes
It’s true; I should probably just call this Crustless Quiche & Sundried Tomatoes a frittata. But that’s the Italian version. And my croquet party was a French, Old Fashioned Croquet Party. So Crustless Quiche & Sundried Tomatoes it is. After all, sticking with the theme is what counts, right? I mean, I got the guests to the... Read More→
Asparagus and Dill Roast Beef Rolls
I struggled a lot with a name for these Asparagus and Dill Roast Beef Rolls. It was hard to come up with something that was descriptive as well as appetizing. Something about Beef Rolls doesn’t quite sound right to me, so if you have ideas, I’m all ears. That said, the goal that led to... Read More→
French Red White & Blue Potato Salad
My French Red White & Blue Potato Salad is a great change of pace after all of the mayo-based salads that have been out and about at recent parties. I realize that I’ve just missed the 4th of July, which would have been a timely publication date for a salad with Red, White and Blue in... Read More→
Roasted Rainbow Carrots
These Roasted Rainbow Carrots make up a dish that is simple stupid perfect, and sometimes, that’s exactly what ends up stealing the show. The gorgeous colors make them stand out as special and unique, the fresh herbs add, but don’t mask the delicate sweetness of the carrots, and the salt and oil make them robust... Read More→
Lavender Lemonade
There’s nothing like lemonade on a hot day. And if you want to make it extra special, a little lavender simple syrup goes a long way in creating this herbal, floral treat of Lavender Lemonade. Best of all, it’s a snap. Last week, we were in Door County, Wisconsin and I wanted to do something... Read More→
Blue Ridge Mountain Benedicts
This Spring, one of our mini adventures was a weekend trip to Charlottesville, VA. It’s a gorgeous town, situated at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains for which my Blue Ridge Mountain Benedicts are named. It’s a tiny town, but it’s packed with art, music and great food. We had lots of awesome meals,... Read More→
Blackberry Sage Refrigerator Jam
I love preserving, but when it comes to jam, I tend to make refrigerator jam for a variety of reasons. This week, my Blackberry Sage Refrigerator Jam was made with a very specific recipe in mind. Having a specific recipe in mind is a huge part of why I make refrigerator jam instead of true... Read More→
Pantry Tips: Buttermilk in a Pinch
What do you do when you really want Flaky, Buttery, Food Processor Buttermilk Biscuits, but you’re out of buttermilk? Dirty Laundry Kitchen Pantry Tips: Substitution Edition: Buttermilk in a Pinch to the rescue. Correct me if I’m wrong, but buttermilk is one of those weird ingredients that is never around when you need it. I... Read More→
Food Processor Buttermilk Biscuits
Did my Updated Southern Menu cause sadness when you learned that Flaky, Buttery, Food Processor Buttermilk Biscuits were off the table by omission? Did you consider running out and grabbing a can of them anyway? If not, then carry on, enjoy the salad and the polenta tarts and pat yourselves on the back for your... Read More→
Peony Season Table Setting
This June, our vases and bowls have been devoted to Peonies. I love them so. I love watching them day after day, transforming from one stunning shade and shape to the next. I love them when they’re a tight bundle of petals and I’m waiting, hoping they have big plans to open. I love them... Read More→
Fresh Strawberry Pie with Rhubarb Curd
My Fresh Strawberry Pie with Rhubarb Curd all started with two quarts of gorgeous little local fresh strawberries. You know the ones. They’re really small. And sometimes oddly shaped. And deep dark red. They were at the market, and it was time for a fresh strawberry pie. But I didn’t have the heart to make... Read More→
Seriously Good Extra Crispy Fried Chicken
Many years ago, when we still lived in California, I made a Tyler Florence recipe for fried chicken, that called for adding herbs and garlic to the oil before frying the chicken, and it was so good, I still remember it, all these years later. So when I returned from my latest California trip inspired... Read More→
Spicy Polenta Tarts with Okra and Sweet Corn
These Spicy Polenta Tarts with Okra and Sweet Corn were inspired by a recipe I saw online. It’s funny how some of these pinterest recipes work (p.s. Are you following me on pinterest? You should be), you keep tracing them back and tracing them back to their original incarnation, only to find that they were... Read More→
Smoky, Spicy Buttermilk Dressing
When I know I’m going to serve my guests something like the Seriously Good Extra Crispy Fried Chicken I’m about to unleash on my Updated Southern Supper Menu, I do more than start them off with a really light appetizer like my Spicy Mint and Dill Quick Pickled Beans and Carrots. I also make a... Read More→
Spicy Mint and Dill Quick Pickled Beans and Carrots
Summer calls for lots of quick and light snacks like my Spicy Mint and Dill Quick Pickled Beans and Carrots. And a Big Southern Supper especially needs hors d’oeuvres that won’t overwhelm your guests, but rather whet their appetites. These unexpected Spicy Mint and Dill Quick Pickled Beans and Carrots accomplish just that. After all,... Read More→
More California Dreaming
My week in sunny CA was filled with hiking and sailing. Two of my favorite hikes were Shiloh Mountain in Sonoma and of course, I jumped at the opportunity to walk the Dish, which was my regular exercise place when we lived in Menlo Park. Both hikes featured steeps to reach amazing vistas and Heidi... Read More→
California Dreaming
It turns out that moving away from California is a traumatic experience. It’s taken me a long time to get over it, and while I have loved every single place I’ve lived subsequently, I now know that a large part of me will always reside in California. I just had the pleasure of a week... Read More→
Fig and Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula
There were figs in the market this week, and that’s all the reason I needed to make this Fig Prosciutto Pizza with Arugula. Whenever I find fresh figs, I can be relied upon to buy them up and dream of all the wonderful things to do with them, all the while eating them straight out... Read More→
Father’s Day Rosemary Rhubarb Upsidedown Cake
It’s tradition in my family to make a rhubarb pie for Father’s Day but this year I’m changing things up with my Father’s Day Rosemary Rhubarb Upsidedown Cake. Usually the timing of Father’s Day is perfect for the first rhubarb harvest (in Door Country, Wisconsin), which is probably how the tradition started. It doesn’t hurt... Read More→
Leftover Crab Dip Crêpes
Here’s one more nice and easy leftover crab dip idea: make savory Leftover Crab Dip Crêpes and serve with the leftover Snappy Green Salad. They work really well with any salad. But I definitely recommend something simple with a citrus dressing. Lemon or lime complements the citrus in the crab dip perfectly. Added bonus, these Leftover... Read More→