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
This Christmas morning I served up one of the best breakfast brunches of all time. A while back I stumbled upon a recipe for hash using leftover stuffing from the night before. I thought how incredible this would this be with my grandmother’s sausage stuffing topped with poached eggs. But let’s be serious who has the time or wherewithal to whip up
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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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food detective
I love reading the food section of the New York Times. It’s a welcome break to the whirl of today’s headlines. Turning the pages I’m thrilled to discover a recipe for something that should be relatively easy to make, but for some reason never quite turns out. Imagine my excitement when I saw a feature article for the perfect Caesar salad. I’ve
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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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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
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Here’s a fresh and vibrant salad that I am going to convert into a side dish. I got the recipe in my daily feed from Bon Appétit; after a couple tweaks it’s sure to be my wingman throughout the summer. While it makes a tremendous luncheon salad, I love it alongside grilled fish, chicken and meat. Because it’s as easy to make as it is fresh
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
The inn is full for Easter! With hikers, bikers, sun seekers, and sleepers- breakfast for a crew can be a challenge. Out in California “toast” continues to reign. So I figured I would hop on that train and make it the centerpiece of my Saturday breakfast/brunch/lunch. A grab-and-go affair that should please all palettes and fit every timetable.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
What’s the secret to staying warm during the winter weather? Dress in layers. The same holds true when making soup. Start with your base- stir and sauté, and another layer of ingredients- stir and sauté, add your liquids- stir and simmer. Something truly magical happens when you compose a soup with care and stir and simmer with love. And the best
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Another holiday weekend is upon us, happily for some of us that means another full house. Which most likely means offering up breakfast, lunch and dinner, several days in a row. The trick is figuring out a way to show your guests you care while not pushing yourself over the cliff. For me breakfast and brunch have always been a bit of a bear.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Last Wednesday I invited Carrie Walters, from the DLM Culinary Center, Liz Valenti, from Wheat Penny, and Wiley, from Meadowlark, over for lunch. I knew I wanted to serve something seasonal, but also something with a bit of flair. Let’s be honest how often do these three top Dayton chefs get to sit down to a midday meal that is reminiscent of days
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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 →