taking sides

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on November 7, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
What a week. How about taking a break from all the divisiveness and embrace a side that really gets along? And because your tank is probably running on fumes, cut yourself some slack and take a quick trip down the freezer and pantry aisle for an accompaniment that will simultaneously comfort and wow.   There is a reason there is an idiom for
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into the frying pan

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Poultry, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on October 24, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
The best thing about having digital news subscriptions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Desert Daily News is that I am current with most every current event. The worst thing is that I am constantly bombarded with endless news alerts. Several times a day I find myself overwhelmed and information fatigued. I must not
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in hot water

food detective
Categories: Meat, Grains and Pasta, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Well Equipped, Posted on September 12, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
I’m not one for kitchen gadgets. Who needs an Instant Pot when you have a pot? An avocado slicer when you have a knife and spoon. But I have to say my Anova sous vide is a game changer. Anticipating our move back to urban apartment living I wanted to find a way to cook all our favorite proteins that we would typically grill out west.
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as the wind blows

a moment in time
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on August 16, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
Last week in Chicago was one for the books. My husband had meetings out of town, and I was secretly very excited to be alone for the first time since February. As luck would have it my best friend’s husband was also going to be away. We were looking forward to going for long walks, running fun errands in the city (she’s a fellow foodie who knows
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one and done

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Grains and Pasta, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on July 17, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
How about a light and bright summer pasta? Best part it comes together in mere minutes, and all in one pot. The base of this no-cook sauce is simply equal parts creamy ricotta and sharp parmesan. Brightened up with a little zest and juice from a lemon, and a couple handfuls of arugula for color and crunch. Serve it up with a salad of baby greens a
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an american great

inspiration
Categories: Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Breakfast/Brunch, Sources, Posted on June 7, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
“One of the greatest pleasures of my life has been that I have never stopped learning about Good Cooking and Good Food.” ― Edna Lewis. Just as Julia Child enlightened the American home cook to French cuisine, and Marcella Hazan to Italian, Edna Lewis is a central pillar in our culinary landscape, one who helped define the American view of Southern
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defining your wheelhouse

simple truths to unleash your entertaining potential
Categories: Meat, Veggies and Sides, Supper, Dinner Party, Fête Fact, Posted on February 1, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
Entertaining is a lot like baseball. To maximize success, you need to figure out how to consistently hit the ball out of the park. That means knowing exactly where in the strike zone you should position yourself. The takeaway here is to realize that your personal sweet spot might not be the same as someone else’s. It’s important to figure out what
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maximize what you do best

simple truths to unleash your entertaining potential
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Dinner Party, Fête Fact, Posted on January 20, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
In entertaining (and in life) certain principles hold true. For example, we should all strive to acknowledge our unique strengths and realize our own limitations. Maximizing what you do best and outsourcing where you fall short will help you succeed wherever you set your mind. Here that means entertaining others in a way that is actually enjoyable.
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wrapped with a bow

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on December 24, 2019 by Sandy Bergsten
How’s this for a Hollywood ending to your holidays. Here is the amazing baked cheese recipe that accompanied my saucisson spread from an earlier post. This is not your typical baked brie. And it couldn’t be simpler to make. The garlic studded triple crème, with a splash of vermouth, bubbles in the oven on a bed of aromatic herbs. And the critical
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the spread before the spread

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Sources, Fête Fact, Posted on December 3, 2019 by Sandy Bergsten
Here’s a holiday quandary- when the pressure is on to put on a lavish holiday meal what can you serve beforehand that will simultaneously delight your guests and not push you over the edge? Disclaimer Thanksgiving dinner is not one of my favorites. Don’t get me wrong, I adore having my house and table brimming with family and friends. It’s just al
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