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
What fun to keep the party going. When my daughter made the tough decision to downsize her wedding she asked if I would host a party for her Chicago friends later in the fall. My answer was a resounding yes! As the date approached my daughter reminded me that this was actually going to be a small wedding not simply a cocktail reception. Which
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
I love the vibe of Sunday supper. Dinner on the last day of the week tends to be casually welcoming and comforting. A little like that black sundress you can dress up or down. I’ve been meaning to have a few of our neighbors over and I wanted it to be an easy but memorable affair. I had the idea to whip up some flatbread pizzas for the main and
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food detective
This past week I’ve been feeling very nostalgic. It’s had me reflecting on the onset of my adult life and the milestones that followed. In the mid-eighties and early nineties, I lived way up on the Upper West Side of NYC. The cold sesame noodles from our corner Chinese were one of my guilty pleasures. I don’t know how they packed so much flavor and
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
This Fourth of July we are staying in the city. Thought it might be fun to invite some friends over to celebrate our country’s independence and relish in our now chilly dining room courtesy of our newly installed AC unit. Just because you are an apartment dweller doesn’t mean you can’t have an indoor barbeque. The key is figuring out what to
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food detective
Now a nod to my northern friends, who have hopefully put away their snow shovels for good. This spring has been a roller coaster for many reasons, the weather being one of those swinging pendulums. Here’s a recipe that is as comforting as a favorite sweater and light enough to enjoy whatever the season. Adjectives such as airy and delicate
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cooking for one... or two
I just got some news (I know so many have had much worse- they’ve lost loved ones, lost jobs, lost their homes). For me, it turns out after almost two years and a recent MRI I have a stress fracture of my interior talus. It’s the major weight bearing bone in the ankle. It’s the one that supports your entire body. The day before Christmas I
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cooking for one... or two
I can’t believe we just celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. There are days when it seems like we were married yesterday. There are so many things I adore about my husband. His boyish smile and heartfelt laugh certainly top the list. He’s absolutely brilliant and possesses the gentlest and truest of hearts. If I had to pick one of my favorite
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food detective
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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cooking for one... or two
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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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 →