thai one on

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Dinner Party, Posted on April 10, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
Asian inspired dishes often make the perfect weeknight meal. But I tend to struggle with what to serve on the side. This quick Thai cucumber salad seems to make just about everything it accompanies to shine. Go ahead and make a double batch of the vinegar sugar syrup. Then just a quick chop and toss and you are ready to roll.
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drop in

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on March 29, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
When entertaining one of my favorite things to do is to greet a guest with their favorite libation. I like to think of it as personal serial signature cocktails. Let’s be honest, most folks like to drink what they like to drink. This week I am having a small group over for dinner and it turns out lemon drop martinis are one of my guests’ darlings.
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ina jiffy

cookng for one... or two
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Grains and Pasta, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on March 15, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
Life is definitely ramping up. Languishing hours and days on end seem to be evaporating. I certainly welcome this change, but it’s making me realize that I need to step up my efficient dinner game. Thank goodness for Ina Garten’s shrimp scampi with linguini! It is a classic for good reason. Once prepped the entire dish cooks in the time it takes
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a fresh perspective

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on March 1, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
Many welcome the new year with self-improvement. For some its dry-anuary (not this girl) or a new fitness program (I already have a good one in place). For me, I decided I’d embrace forward-thinking-February leading into mindful-March. I’ve been working on the power of positive thought and the laws of attraction for some time, but this year, in a
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pony ride

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Fête Fact, Posted on February 14, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
When it comes to entertaining, is it time to get back in the saddle? Restrictions seem to be lifting as quickly as things shut down. The big difference- two years have transpired. I’m eager to embrace this new normal (whatever that means) but I am finding I am also filled with a good dose trepidation.  I’ve come to realize that one of the major
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circle that date

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Salads and Dressings, Fish and Seafood, Sauces and Such, Dinner for Two, Sources, Posted on January 31, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
I can’t believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but my January wasn’t what I’d envisioned. I was really looking forward to a fresh start to the new year. Hitting the town, trying new restaurants, entertaining, dressing up. Instead, everything seemed to once again take an insular turn. I was hoping getting back
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a change of perspective

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Beverages, Dinner for Two, Cocktail Party, Eating Out, Posted on January 17, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
What to do with a world that seems to have turned itself on its side… again?    One thing’s for sure people’s nerves are frayed, tensions are rising, civility seems at an all-time low. My infrequent outings are often greeted with toddler meltdowns by people who are old enough to be their parents or grandparents. Just the other day I was berated
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dropping the ball

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Appetizers, Dinner for Two, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on December 29, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
Who thought we would be back here to ring in the new year? With holidays and flights cancelled and tempers rising, it might just be time to whip up a teeny indulgence for one or two.  This recipe from Melissa Clark is the bomb. A fresh sour cream and onion dip decadently dressed with fresh salmon roe, served up with crunchy potato chips. Every
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how the cookie crumbles

food detective
Categories: Desserts, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on December 21, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
You know when you see people on social media, and they seem like they have it all together? I have to confess I was feeling a little high on my holiday horse and thought I’d flaunt my newly acquired baking skills for my next post. I was inspired earlier this month by the NYT’s interactive article on the 24 Days of Cookies. Being a crunchy salty
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a holiday tradition

food detective
Categories: Soups, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on December 7, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
Having five adult children, all with partners, most with dogs and two with children, coordinating the holidays could make one feel as if they were running traffic control over O’Hare. Early on my husband and I began a new tradition. If any of our children wanted to come visit, all they needed to do was pick a date and let us know what holiday they
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