Tomatoes on a Fence

I’ve now had the pleasure of dining at Blue Hill in New York a couple of times. Last fall, I took my parents when they were in town visiting, and it was the catalyst for these beautiful photographs. Of course the whole meal was wonderful, but to my dad, who is a master craftsman when… Continue reading Tomatoes on a Fence

Pesto Potatoes with Soft-Boiled Eggs

I love pesto sauce, like all Summer sun worshippers and Italophiles and these Pesto Potatoes with Soft-Boiled Eggs encourage pesto for breakfast. And this time of year, when basil is still abundant, but it’s time to thinking about preserving Summer’s abundance, I make lots and lots of pesto and freeze it. After all, there’s only… Continue reading Pesto Potatoes with Soft-Boiled Eggs

Edamame Tacos with Chipotle Mayo

I love these Edamame Tacos with Chipotle Mayo. They came about during my time teaching Public Health Law at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the easiest ways to get lunch at Penn is from food trucks, and many of us eat from the trucks almost every day. So you can imagine how exciting a… Continue reading Edamame Tacos with Chipotle Mayo

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… Continue reading Crustless Quiche & Sundried Tomatoes

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… Continue reading French Red White & Blue Potato Salad

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… Continue reading Roasted Rainbow Carrots

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… Continue reading Spicy Polenta Tarts with Okra and Sweet Corn

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… Continue reading Smoky, Spicy Buttermilk Dressing

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,… Continue reading Spicy Mint and Dill Quick Pickled Beans and Carrots

Snappy Green Salad: beyond leafy greens

My Snappy Green Salad: beyond leafy greens was perfect for our Summer Kick-Off, Chesapeake Bay Adventure. The old-fashioned fun of board and yard games made me nostalgic for all things Summer, and the Snappy Green Salad fit the theme perfectly by requiring a little bean snapping. Both bean snapping and corn husking are romantically nostalgic… Continue reading Snappy Green Salad: beyond leafy greens

Easter Egg Beet and Citrus Salad

Salads are way more fun to eat if you put lots of goodies on them, and this Easter Egg Beet and Citrus Salad is no exception. I always make lots extra of all the good stuff and then keep it on hand all week, to encourage me to eat my greens. The beautiful jewel colored… Continue reading Easter Egg Beet and Citrus Salad

Empanadas with Sweet Potato, Beans and Goat Cheese

These Empanadas with Sweet Potato, Beans and Goat Cheese came about when I was challenged to make empanadas for a friend. I was a little daunted, so of course I did a lot of research. While empanadas vary widely in terms of what’s in them and how they’re made and cooked (depending on who’s making… Continue reading Empanadas with Sweet Potato, Beans and Goat Cheese