perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Nothing warms the soul like a hot bowl of homemade soup. You might think making your own, in your home, is beyond your reach. Think again. Making a creamy vegetable soup is as easy as one, two, three. First- begin with a base of sautéed onions. Second- add three to four cups of chopped vegetables, cover with liquid, and simmer until tender. Third
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
New year, new resolutions. Some might want to eat healthier, simplify, entertain more. Here’s a recipe to check the box on all three. A big bowl of healthy greens is a welcome sight at any gathering. But serving salad to a crowd can be challenge. It’s hard to toss without having everything fly out of the bowl. And once dressed the leaves seem to
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
If you’ve reached your leftover limit here is an amazing open-faced sandwich that comes together in mere minutes. It’s the perfect accompaniment to soup or salad, meaning you can serve up lunch or supper in a snap. Two things ensure this recipe comes off without a hitch. The first is Naan, which is an oven-baked flatbread from the Middle East.
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fête fact
As an empty nester it’s an odd thing to be waiting behind a school bus. The first thing that comes to my mind is where has the time gone. Then if it’s a particularly long delay with seemingly first-time parents saying good-bye to their little ones I usually get a bit misty-eyed and nostalgic. How many back-to-school-eves have I helped my daughters
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food detective
My husband and I could eat fresh-picked sweet corn every single day. But just like those truly vine ripened tomatoes the season will soon be over. So I was super excited when I discovered a new way to enjoy these fresh picked ears in the New York Times. The food section had an intriguing recipe featuring orecchiette with a fresh corn sauce. Orecch
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Lately my husband has been such a sweetheart I thought I’d bake him a pie. Wait a minute- me make a homemade pie? Those of you who know me know that I’m not very skilled when it comes to baking. But just because I’m not terribly accomplished at something doesn’t mean I shouldn’t give it a try. Now I’m not suggesting I’ll go hog wild into
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food detective
I am crazy for fried green tomatoes. Meadowlark in Dayton, Ohio fries up some of the best. Lucky for me the restaurant is practically in my backyard. I can pick up an order to go then devour them at home, piping hot with a big spoonful of their tangy chow chow relish. But with each bite I secretly wish I could master making my own. Lucky for me
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Is there anything better than waking up on a summer Saturday, grabbing a big cup of coffee and heading off to the local farmer’s market? That scenario is tops in my book. Second on the list- the cascading menu that tumbles out of my orange collapsible picnic tote. What better way to mark the summer solstice than with a cool gazpacho highlighting
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
My hubby and I just celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to be able to spend my days with such a remarkable person. Years ago I thought a solid marriage filled with unconditional love would be just beyond my reach. But then almost a decade ago Dave came into my life. How incredibly fortunate that I would
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food detective
Nothing beats Saturday night supper for four. As fortune would have it my husband and I were invited for such a dinner last weekend. And to up the ante, not only were our host and hostess delightful friends but incredible cooks. Simmering bolognese greeted us we entered, letting us know we were in for a real treat. But what caught me by surprise
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →