best dressed

food detective
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on October 17, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
Here’s a trio of dressings that will literally steal the scene. One bite and you’ll never reach for their bottled understudies again. The best part… you won’t believe how easy they are to prepare! So whip up one or all three, they’ll last for a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Seriously- who doesn’t love ranch dressing?
continue reading →

total eclipse of the heart

food detective
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Eggs, Supper, Lunch, Breakfast/Brunch, Sources, Well Equipped, Fête Fact, Posted on August 31, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
As the countdown for the eclipse approached, I wondered how best to mark this extraordinary event. The moon was scheduled to block out the sun at 2:28 on Monday afternoon. Not the time I typically entertain. Then an idea came to me the night before just like a flash in the dark. With my Amazon procured ISO certified glasses in hand, I asked my
continue reading →

you say tomato…

food detective
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Sources, Posted on August 21, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
One of the best things about living in Ohio in August is the abundance of freshly picked tomatoes. You can actually smell their sweet ripeness from afar. These beauties need little adornment… a pinch of salt, a grind of pepper, a splash of good olive oil and perhaps a drizzle of fine balsamic. This simple tomato salad really doesn’t need a
continue reading →

swing into spring

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Soups, Fish and Seafood, Grains and Pasta, Veggies and Sides, Desserts, Dinner Party, Fête Fact, Posted on April 18, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
Just taught an evening class at Dorothy Lane Market’s Culinary Center. The theme was “spring soiree”. While nature is popping up and showing its face, it’s time for us to shake off our winter hibernation and do the same. Spring is the perfect time to reconnect with friends and feature some of the best the season has to offer. The class was a
continue reading →

in the bag

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Dinner for Two, Dinner Party, Lunch, Well Equipped, Posted on January 9, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
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
continue reading →

hail caesar

food detective
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Supper, Lunch, Posted on October 16, 2016 by Sandy Bergsten
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
continue reading →

in a pickle

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Veggies and Sides, Sauces and Such, Posted on October 4, 2016 by Sandy Bergsten
I have to be honest- my past experience with Ball jars was to either use one as a vase or as a glass for a dark and stormy. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever consider actually canning something. I was afraid that I wouldn’t sterilize the jars properly, seal the lids correctly, and whoever consumed what was in them might
continue reading →

chop chop

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Veggies and Sides, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on May 7, 2016 by Sandy Bergsten
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
continue reading →

of course

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Dinner Party, Sources, Fête Fact, Posted on February 13, 2016 by Sandy Bergsten
Want to elevate your next dinner party? Simply add a course. Easy to do when you offer a salad of mixed greens and an array of cheeses after the main. Notably French, a salad and cheese course is a wonderful way to extend the festivity, savor that last bit of red and a great tactic to appease a still hungry guest without breaking the bank on
continue reading →

first things first

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Veggies and Sides, Dinner Party, Posted on March 19, 2015 by Sandy Bergsten
Want to make your next dinner party a bit exceptional? Consider serving multiple courses. Contrary to common belief it’s easier than you think. The trick is in choosing the right dishes. You always want your first course to complement your entrée. So let’s say you are serving beef as your main you might want to feature fish first. If serving fish
continue reading →

Page 3 of 7 pages  < 1 2 3 4 5 >  Last ›