An “olio” is a hodgepodge…a miscellaneous collection. I couldn’t bear to post just one side dish, so I am presenting two. But two totally unrelated side dishes. The first, Stuffed Mini-Peppers, I thought of after buying a bag of those cute multi-colored baby peppers for a holiday buffet. They make a nice accent to a [...]
For years and years our Christmas dinner was completely, traditionally English. Prime Rib, creamed horseradish, (the straight stuff too) Yorkshire pudding, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, finished off with an English Trifle. Then one Boxing Day, I decided I didn’t think I could eat beef again. (I’ve since softened on that) My Mom was horrified! Spencer [...]
Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday, I think because it’s the least commercial, if you don’t count the occasional giant, blow-up lawn turkey. There are no gifts to exchange and minimal decorating. It’s also one of the few secular holidays that we celebrate together as Americans. I’ve been thinking about doing a Chinese inspired Thanksgiving for several years. [...]
I’m still reeling from the Produce trade show I went to two weeks ago. There was so much to see…taste…and absorb. I made a list of produce and vendors that interested me. I knew for sure that I wouldn’t be making a stop to sample Brussels Sprouts though. In addition to spending time sampling pears, [...]
I always forget how busy September is. After 20 years of teaching, it should be etched in my brain. I think maybe I just figure I’ll get better at balancing 3 Back-to-School Nights in one week, but I never do. With just a couple of hours between work and Open House(s), I needed something I [...]
I first tasted this Lime-Chili-Parmesan Butter for corn on the cob about 15 years ago. My friend, Kevin, slapped it on some corn he was grilling one evening, when our girls were toddlers and we lived two doors away from one another. His wife, Marlee and I spent nearly every day together, talking about babies and [...]
