food detective
My youngest just started a new job, one with lots of travel. She asked me for some fast, easy, and healthy meals to balance out what she might be consuming on the road. This would be a perfect challenge for me as well. As a former educator my “new year” begins after Labor Day. Time to hit the summer reset button and begin a healthy mealtime
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food detective
It’s truly height of the season at the farmer’s market. Each Saturday my Norwich terrier, Willie, and I start our day with a walk down to our neighborhood stands. I always return with an overflowing basket of lush tomatoes and just picked sweet corn. Almost every weekend I whip up a batch of gazpacho. My version… chopped rather than pureed, my
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food detective
This past month has been a doozie in the news department. Thank goodness for NYT’s “Cooking”. It’s been a welcome refuge from the myriad of blasts. One monumental news day I stumbled across a recipe for caprese chicken by Susan Spungen. It was the exact diversion I was seeking. Midwest chicken, garden tomatoes, fresh basil. And happily there was a
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
It’s incredible how much family we’ve had visit. Literally each weekend another crew has come to stay with us. After two years of quiet isolation on the sixteenth floor of our Chicago apartment it’s been a welcome change filling our home with those we love. Each time it’ been a completely different adventure, and it’s remarkable how different every
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food detective
Last weekend was a first of many. The first time my stepson and his family were visiting us in Chicago. The first time we would have a little person in our apartment (previously, pre-covid, we’ve only had a baby). And this would be my first attempt at creating a four-day menu that was completely vegan. I pride myself on being adaptable and nimble
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
I just got back from seeing my dad. What a remarkable man at 90-years young. Always on-the-go, he keeps me hopping. Each trip we tackle plenty of tasks, share many stories, lots of laughs, and of course memorable meals. One of things I always add to his to-do list is a trip to Merrick’s Seafood in Cape Coral for stone crabs. Cleverly I coincide
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food detective
I have no idea why it has taken me so long to discover how utterly easy it is to steam clams. They are seriously simple. And incredibly delicious. Just a handful of ingredients, a heavy-lidded pot, a crusty loaf of bread, and a side salad. In a matter of minutes, you too might fall madly and deeply for this effortless entrée. It’s important to not
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cooking for one... or two
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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cookng for one... or two
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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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
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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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 →