food detective
Summer 2023 has had undeniable highs and a few rocky lows. Rather than lift a half-glass of rosé and whine, let me share a libation that has allowed me to toast the bounty of this summer season. This watermelon margarita is perfectly balanced- slightly sweet, just enough acid, and a smokey kick mezcal instead of tequila. The pureed fresh
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
My newest grandson just arrived, and I am over the moon! What magic to be there for those first few days and weeks of life. Not only is little Peter perfect in every way, it’s incredible to see my daughter and son-in-law blossom into such amazing new parents. One of my favorite things, other than holding that little sprite, is to nourish my loved
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food detective
Maybe it’s all the playoff games, draft picks, and NFL schedule releases but lately I’ve been craving buffalo chicken. With my own schedule ramping up it’s time to get creative in the kitchen, not only for inspiration but for timesaving shortcuts. I love when I find ready-prepped ingredients. Whole Foods carries the best pulled rotisserie chicken
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food detective
There is nothing quite like a cheese soufflé. They rise as if by magic. The result a savory, airy, light edible cloud. And fear not, once you master the basic technique it is almost as easy as making an omelet. It’s also a great last-minute supper because you probably have all of the ingredients on hand. If this is your first souffléing, be sure
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
One of my perennial resolutions is to go through an old binder of mine entitled “Sandy’s Best”, a collection of recipes that I have been lugging back and forth for years. Most of the recipes are from the late 1980s to early 2000s. Some are clearly dated. Others have fond memories. It’s funny but when I’ve tried to resurrect many, they’ve landed in
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food detective
On a recent visit to my daughter’s, my son-in-law treated me to one of the best burgers I have ever had. Some call it an Oklahoma burger. Others a Depression burger, as small amounts of ground beef are cooked with heaping piles of thinly sliced onions to stretch out the meager portion of protein. After that trip I began reading about these burger
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food detective
With the big game right around the corner, why not cook up two competing batches of chili to place bets on. And getting in the game-day spirit, how about a red beef chili for the Chiefs and for the Eagles a salsa verde chicken chili. My go-to beef chili is a tried-and-true champ. A great competitor, this white chicken chili that I adapted from my
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food detective
This holiday season I decided to turn up the heat and give my husband something really hot… a new gas grill. It was a real upgrade from our thirty-five-year-old dinosaur that came with our house. I had so much fun reaching out to my favorite grill masters from across the country for their advice and input (thank you all!) I settled on the Weber
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what to bring
Tis the season to share with those you care. And what better way than with a homemade token of your appreciation. I find sweets are best delivered in small packages. Here is a rich indulgence that’s guaranteed to delight, super dark and slightly salty. Each year I make a big batch of my hot fudge sauce. I’ve found four-ounce Ball jars are the
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
The holidays will be here before you know it. Now’s the time to start filling your freezer with sweet and savory treats that you can pull out in a moment’s notice. A couple months out I tackle some of my more time-consuming recipes. When our kitchen table and bedrooms begin to fill, I’m always glad I did. Gingerbread cookies are always a favorite.
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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 →