Recipes

Peppermint bark, as it’s called, is almost non-existent during the year, until Christmas time when it is everywhere.  I don’t typically like the commercially made verities, but it can be fantastic when you find an artisanal one.  Peppermint bark is a rich chocolate confection, it’s not something you eat a large amount of; the peppermint […]

Politics aside, Washington, D.C. is an incredible place for many reasons. If you have never been, it is a must-see city for young and old.  I have been to D.C. many times over the years but more recently I went with my boys and it was even more amazing seeing it through their eyes.  Our […]

My older son is a potato addict.  I can’t blame him really, I was the same as a kid. Potatoes are delicious: baked, whipped, pureed, mashed, fried, or shredded.  Seriously, any way works for him.  I don’t eat them as much anymore, so when I do, they need to be worth it. Potato latkes are […]

Where has mulled wine been all my life?  This is a brilliant solution to a cold winter day and is perfect for the holiday season.  Despite my late introduction to mulled wine, this hot fruity beverage has been around since before the 8th century.  In the 1800’s, a holiday drink similar to mulled wine gained […]

So many people I know say they hate baking or they can’t bake, or they simply are not patient enough to bake.  I get it.  But come holiday time, even those who don’t typically bake find themselves baking especially cookies.  I have fond memories of spending countless hours frosting and decorating sugar cookies.  Although I […]

Lentils and rice go together perfectly in my eyes.  I could honestly eat lentils daily, but I don’t think that would fly with my family.  The lentils I’m referring to here are French lentils, a classic variety in the culinary world.  They are greenish-brown, petite, earthy, and delicious—and that’s how I feel about them before […]

Minestrone is considered one of the cornerstones of Italian cuisine.  Historically, minestrone was a humble soup, made primarily from leftovers with the addition of whatever vegetables were available, often with the addition of pasta.  This soup was inexpensive, easy to make, filling, and could feed large groups.  It was a soup intended for every day […]

I think one of the reasons I love the cooler months so much is because it is beet season.  Beets are referred to as “winter’s sweet treats“. You can find beets throughout the year, but during the Fall and Winter months they are at their peak of deliciousness–and I can’t get enough of them. Red […]

It’s a terrible habit, but there are many days I don’t eat breakfast. In fairness, I’m not super hungry first thing in the morning.  In a perfect world, I would probably eat breakfast at 10 am; but life is busy and that’s not going to happen.  For my boys, who always get up super early, […]

As a kid, I never liked butternut squash, it was always mushy and flavorless.  Years later, I learned how to make it.  It is funny how subtle things in a recipe sometimes make all the difference in whether we like or dislike something.  Growing up, butternut squash was one of those foods that I was […]

Are you ready for Thursday? The holiday season is in full swing.  Holiday parties and family gatherings are arriving at a steady clip.  If you’re hosting anything, this post is for you.  Sangria is a fantastic holiday cocktail option and if made with a good red wine and a little brandy, it can be elegant, […]

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  The main reason?  It’s about food and sharing.  But also because it has no religious undertones nor does it have anything to do with gift-giving; it is just about togetherness.  Each year, I look forward to Thanksgiving months in advance. Thanksgiving is frequently about traditions, which normally means repetition year […]

Thanksgiving is nothing without the cranberry sauce. This slightly sweet, slightly tart compote is essential at a Thanksgiving table if you ask me. And for the record, I am not talking about the canned stuff.  I believe in shortcuts at times, especially around the holidays when the sheer volume of tasks associated with hosting a […]

Everyone needs a quick meal sometimes, and this is a delicious one, plus it’s gluten-free. Sautéed rice noodles with ground pork is an easy, family-friendly dish that is also a quick meal. Asian noodles, a long-time consumer favorite, have become increasingly popular, at least in part because of their gluten-free factor.  With more people becoming […]

I love pumpkin and I’m not done baking with it this season just yet. As I said in my Fall pumpkin cookie post, there truly are a million great recipes, both sweet and savory, that make use of pumpkin. This is a great one for pumpkin cheesecake brownies and they are worth every single calorie. This recipe […]