oldie but goodie

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Dinner for Two, Supper, Cocktail Party, Lunch, Posted on April 9, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
One of my perennial resolutions is to go through an old binder of mine entitled “Sandy’s Best”, a collection of recipes that I have been lugging back and forth for years. Most of the recipes are from the late 1980s to early 2000s. Some are clearly dated. Others have fond memories. It’s funny but when I’ve tried to resurrect many, they’ve landed in
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al fresco

dinner for two
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Dinner Party, Sources, Posted on March 20, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
Last week those of us in California got a brief respite from the atmospheric river that has been relentlessly raining down. I seized the moment, heated up the pool and whipped together a dinner for two to enjoy out on the patio. A first since November. My love affair with my husband’s grill continues. (You might be asking who did I give that
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home on the range

food detective
Categories: Meat, Dinner for Two, Supper, Lunch, Well Equipped, Posted on February 27, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
On a recent visit to my daughter’s, my son-in-law treated me to one of the best burgers I have ever had. Some call it an Oklahoma burger.  Others a Depression burger, as small amounts of ground beef are cooked with heaping piles of thinly sliced onions to stretch out the meager portion of protein. After that trip I began reading about these burger
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souper bowl

food detective
Categories: Soups, Dinner for Two, Supper, Posted on February 6, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
With the big game right around the corner, why not cook up two competing batches of chili to place bets on. And getting in the game-day spirit, how about a red beef chili for the Chiefs and for the Eagles a salsa verde chicken chili. My go-to beef chili is a tried-and-true champ. A great competitor, this white chicken chili that I adapted from my
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an ethereal schmear

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Fish and Seafood, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Sauces and Such, Cocktail Party, Breakfast/Brunch, Posted on January 24, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
While I never do it, I love reading the comments other people leave on online recipes. For me, they complete a recipe’s journey. It’s especially useful when numerous readers post a similar point. When they do, I usually take it to heart. This often saves me from wasting a morning or afternoon’s effort. And sometimes following these tweaks and turns
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cherry on the top

food detective
Categories: Meat, Sauces and Such, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Well Equipped, Posted on January 8, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
This holiday season I decided to turn up the heat and give my husband something really hot… a new gas grill. It was a real upgrade from our thirty-five-year-old dinosaur that came with our house. I had so much fun reaching out to my favorite grill masters from across the country for their advice and input (thank you all!) I settled on the Weber
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holidate

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on December 27, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
How about a little mangia trois to ring in the new year? It’s easy to make a splash with this trio. Whether you’re hosting a crowd, being a gracious guest, or ringing in the new year by yourselves these three recipes are super simple and never cease to impress. For each recipe you can make the components a day before, assemble them earlier in
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ho ho holidays

what to bring
Categories: Sauces and Such, Desserts, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on December 13, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
Tis the season to share with those you care. And what better way than with a homemade token of your appreciation. I find sweets are best delivered in small packages. Here is a rich indulgence that’s guaranteed to delight, super dark and slightly salty. Each year I make a big batch of my hot fudge sauce. I’ve found four-ounce Ball jars are the
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with gratitude

a moment in time
Categories: Dinner Party, Lunch, Breakfast/Brunch, Setting the Stage, Posted on November 29, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
I just welcomed in a new decade. Earlier this year I proclaimed it was going to be sixty and sensational. Several plans were made, and just as many pivots. With my husband out of town on a business trip and the arrival of my new grandson my daughters decided to surprise me with a “staycation” at my desert home. Honestly, it sounded idyllic.
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a stressless spread

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on November 15, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
On the morning news they said that Thanksgiving is ten days away. How did that happen?? I don’t know about you but this one really snuck up on me. Whether you’re hosting or bringing something to share, offering up a big board that folks can nibble from isn’t only impressive but relatively easy, especially if prep ahead of time. A charcuterie tray
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