Zucchini is one of those vegetables that’s always around. You can find it at any farm stand, in every supermarket and probably in your neighbor’s backyard. It’s so versatile you can use it to make dinner or dessert. Zucchini bread is a popular way to enjoy this bountiful vegetable. This bread is moist with a [...]
Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies
May 19, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
My youngest sister is expecting her first child. And it only took me eight and a half months to realize she’s actually having a baby—any day now. A couple of weeks ago I hosted a baby shower for her at my house. Even though she and I discussed it three months prior, I procrastinated, as [...]
Barbecue Rotisserie Chicken Pizza
May 5, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Studio Movie Grill EPICENTER saved my friend–insert air quotes here–from a continued life of crime. “My friend” loves going to the movies. Action is her genre of choice–the more guns, explosions, military close quarters combat (especially with Marines) and Jason Stathum the better. But she has a secret that sometimes makes her paranoid at the theater. She traffics food from [...]
Homemade Pizza Dough
May 4, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Store bought or homemade, pizza is the number one food request in my house. My kids have been making their own pizzas since they were preschoolers. It’s the one dish that doesn’t require my supervision. I set up a pizza making station on the counter and they just create whatever pizza they want based on [...]
Chili Dog Egg Rolls
April 24, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Doesn’t Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day sound fun?–like one of those cartoon specials that used to come on regular (ABC, CBS, NBC) television when I was a kid. April 24 is the day we celebrate the geneous behind wrapping a cocktail weenie in some dough and baking it to golden perfection. In preparation for N.P.I.A.B. Day I discovered that [...]
Avocado Cream Sauce
April 24, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
This cool and refreshing sauce is the perfect accompaniment to Mexican-inspired dishes. It’s easy to make and lasts for about two weeks in the refrigerator. Avocado Cream Makes about 1 1/2 cups 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons [...]
Summer Squash Fritters
April 15, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Summer squash aka yellow squash is a popular vegetable in the South that took some getting used to for me. I wanted to like it because it seemed that everyone and their mama had a recipe for summer squash this or summer squash that. And as a food obsessed northern transplant I wanted to embrace the southern [...]
Chicken Cordon Bleu Macaroni and Cheese
April 4, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
I love food holidays. Typically, most people think food holidays are limited to the big three: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Actually, food is celebrated every day of the year. Some of my favorites include: National Mint Julep Day (May 30); National Cheeseburger Day (September 18) and National Drink Beer Day (September 28). Last year for [...]
Buttered-Popcorn Ice Cream
March 29, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
While skimming through an old issue of Bon Appetit looking for a Fall dessert recipe for a story I’m writing, Buttered-Popcorn Ice Cream Sundaes jumped out at me. I didn’t remember seeing this recipe in the magazine before, but there it was beckoning me to give it a try. Excited, I suggested the idea of buttered-popcorn ice cream to [...]
Honey Granola
March 14, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
I’ve struggled with making granola for years. It was either too soggy or too dry. Then it was too sweet or not sweet enough. I love granola but I only buy it if I have a coupon and it’s on sale. Otherwise, I’d end up with a box “filled” with just 1 cup of granola for [...]