Who loves potatoes? WE DO! And don’t most people? I mean, it’s the original comfort food from the days when folks couldn’t afford expensive meat. In the East, it’s rice, but that’s another post entirely. Honestly, I’ve only met one person who claimed they don’t like potatoes, but they do eat fries, so see – […]
Appetizers
Super Bowl Party: 7-Layer Mediterranean Dip
I’m late to the party and it has a lot to do with the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) and Super Bowl falling on the same weekend. Considering we were just in Shanghai, it seemed more pertinent (and interesting) especially since hub’s team, the New England Patriots, put up a good fight but eventually […]
Hard Cider and a Curry Chicken Salad with Moscato Grapes
Hard ciders are all the rage right now and it’s not just because Fall is in the air. The artisanal food revolution has led to a boom in all manner of handcrafted libations: boutique wines, craft beer, handcrafted cocktails and, now, hard cider is reclaiming their rightful place in the hearts and on the palates […]
FigFest and Ten 5-Minute Fig Recipes
When is Fig Season? To me, figs have always signaled the beginning of my favorite season: Fall. Growing up in the Midwest, it was as if Mother Nature rewarded our survival of the searing heat of August with her most sensuous fruit, the fig. But my fall=fig perception is a result of geographic undesirability. In […]
10 Skinny Dips & Salsas
Dips and salsas are instant party food and summer favorites – they are a breeze to make and can usually be prepared ahead of time which guarantees you more time to enjoy your guests and share in the fun. Sure crowd pleasers, kids and adults are always happy to scoop and nibble and they’re the […]
Spicing Up Father’s Day
Among my tips for low sodium cooking, spices and herbs are one of the easiest to adopt and most fun to experiment with. They’re readily available and can transform a blah dish into a totally amazeballs, “what’s your secret” kind of dish. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with the seemingly endless varieties of spice blends from Savory […]
Heat up St. Patrick’s Day with Ghost Pepper Salted Guinness Pretzels
St. Patrick’s Day – what does it mean to you? Are you beyond the green beer? Cupcakes smothered in green frosting and candy sprinkles not your thing? Well, I think I may have something tasty for you lads and lassies. What goes better with beer, not that 3.2 stuff with green dye served in plastic […]
Sweet Potato Crostini
What’s your go-to appetizer for a spontaneous get together? In our house it is…or was, crostini, that is until Don’s sodium restrictions required a closer look at how much bread we consumed. Believe it or not, bread is quite high in sodium – one slice contains anywhere from 160 milligrams to over 360 milligrams, depending […]
Cheese Board Pizza with Champagne Grapes
Jump to Recipe Saying “Yes” to the best in seasonal produce when approached by companies like Melissa’s Produce, is one of the perks of being a food writer and occasional recipe developer. I’m grateful to receive some fingerling potatoes or plumcots or, most recently, champagne grapes to play around with in the kitchen; it saves […]
Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots
July is a great month: it is summer in all its glory! And what better way to celebrate sunny days, pool parties, beach bonfires, and fireflies than with plump, luscious Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots. Yes, classy jello shots – no plastic condiment cups here! For our family, July 2012 is one we will never forget. […]