We are recovering from a month of hard core party weekends. Â Living in a college town with big time football is always fun, but it's sort of like having a vacation home in Florida -- everyone wants to visit and it's always time to imbibe. Â I am not complaining because we love having family and … Continue reading Crispy Salami and Pesto Tart
Lima Beans with Garlic, Lemon Zest, and Herbs
I hated lima beans as a kid. Â They would come out of my grandparents' garden in buckets and the difficult task of shelling them was a shared responsibility. Â However, given the skewed memories of children (and knowing what I now know about how much mothers get done), I probably had to shell about four of … Continue reading Lima Beans with Garlic, Lemon Zest, and Herbs
Whole Grain Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Cinnamon Ganache
I often say that my first born daughter made me realize I was destined to be a mother -- but my second born son made me delight in the role. Â As with most women, I suppose, I had a hard time adjusting to motherhood. Â You know the drill -- the nursing, the lack of sleep, … Continue reading Whole Grain Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Cinnamon Ganache
Grace’s Mint Jelly
As you have probably noticed, I talk a lot about my family and my grandmothers and how they helped me develop a love for cooking. Â And I think there was something in the genes they gave me that just "clicked" when I got involved in the world of local food. Â It all made sense to … Continue reading Grace’s Mint Jelly
Slow Roasted Plum Tomato Sauce
As much as I love to cook, there are some kitchen tasks that I find absolutely awful. Emptying the dishwasher is one. It is one of those tasks that I simply hate. It probably has something to do with the fact that all of my cabinets and drawers are overflowing with various cooking tools, serving … Continue reading Slow Roasted Plum Tomato Sauce
Grilled Mexican Corn
In our house, we love the movie Nacho Libre. Â Of course it is silly, but it is also heartwarming and touching in many ways (with a great soundtrack too). Â Thankfully, most of it is safe for children because it is one of their favorites -- but I am a little liberal when it comes to … Continue reading Grilled Mexican Corn
Creamy Grilled Peach and Bourbon Sorbet
OK. Â So I am in a conundrum as to what to call this dessert. Â I started out thinking this was going to be an ice cream. But then I decided to up the amount of peaches and add grilled peach puree to the ice cream base -- making it more icy than creamy, but also … Continue reading Creamy Grilled Peach and Bourbon Sorbet
Whole Grain Dark Chocolate and Dried Cherry Biscotti
If I were to make a list of things that change when you have kids, trips to the coffee shop wouldn't even make the top 25. Because pretty much every thing you do as a human being during the course of a day is impacted by children. Â Eating, sleeping, working, cooking, going to the bathroom, … Continue reading Whole Grain Dark Chocolate and Dried Cherry Biscotti
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
We have entered into the time of the summer where zucchini is plentiful. And by plentiful, I mean like a crazy band of procreating feral cats. The first two or three kittens are so damn cute -- but then they just become a nuisance that not even your neighbors or co-workers want. You know the … Continue reading Chocolate Zucchini Cake
The Girl’s Italian Meatloaf
Now that we are in our summer schedule, I usually try to get a run in on the treadmill while my son (almost 3) Â is napping during the afternoon. Â As I am attempting to burn off my last piece of pound cake (how aptly named...), my daughter (7 1/2) is conducting Barbie weddings, which generally … Continue reading The Girl’s Italian Meatloaf