I had a version of this dip at Margaret and Franco’s home at one of their parties and decided to try out this version for my entertainment offering. I have served it for book club and large parties and have been asked for the recipe by several people. Hands-on time: 10 minutes Yield: 2 cups […]
Category: Family Favorites
Feta Cheese Spread
I like to throw cocktail parties where I serve a variety of hearty appetizers and some signature drinks in addition to the usual wine and beer. Here is yet another quick recipe for an appetizer (or, an afternoon snack, as I served this to my kids as well). You can make a lot of this […]
1-Minute Cheese Spread
Here is another idea for a quick appetizer for entertaining. It is delicious with crispy bread chips. I did this for my holiday cocktail parties with over 50 guests. It’s pain-free entertainment. INSTRUCTIONS Place the cheese of your choice in a slightly curved dish or one with a slight lip. Pour either the Agave nectar […]
5-Minute Layered Dip
During the summer, we have a large family gathering. With 13 mouths to feed over a week-long period, I look for meals and appetizers that don’t take up a lot of time and still suit the varied diets and palates of the family. Here’s an idea for a layered dip that requires no work yet […]
Cheese Filled Peppadews
I had this appetizer at the home of one of my Solon, Ohio book club members. It was so good that I just could not stop myself from eating them. Peppadews are a sweet, slightly spicy pickled pepper that closely resembles the round, Italian hot cherry pepper. However, the peppadew is much milder and the […]
Irish Potatoes
Margaret and Franco, friends of mine in Cleveland, Ohio, invited me to a lovely luncheon where they were serving fried fish and these amazing oven-baked potatoes that looked and tasted exactly like crispy french fries. They were fantastic! Crispy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. I made them for a family […]
Scalloped Potatoes
I purchased a lot of red potatoes with the idea that I was going to go on a diet where I would swear off almost all carbohydrates except potatoes. Ha! It lasted ONE day. I should have known better. I’m too much of a foodie to ever diet. Anyway, with this diet in mind, I […]
Cauliflower Béchamel
I made this on a lark when I was trying to finish some milk that was coming close to its expiration date. It turned out to be a new favorite with my kids as it tastes surprisingly like mac-n-cheese but without the macaroni or the cheese. Imagine! Guilt-free mac-n-cheese. It is made in the same […]
Mushroom Béchamel
My daughter was sick last week and I wanted to offer her a light meal that I hoped she would enjoy. I decided that crêpes were just what the doctor ordered (See my blog on crêpes). This way, I could get her and her siblings to eat a good amount of vegetables and fruit without […]
Crêpes
I understand why there are so many crêperies and street vendors selling crêpes. They are quick, inexpensive and easy to make. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They are delicious either savory or sweet. They are elegant and can be served as an impressive entrée or wrapped in paper and eaten on-the-go. […]
Lasagna Bolognese
I’ve made and eaten a lot of versions of lasagna in the United States. Usually, they were made with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses with either vegetable béchamel, meat or marinara sauce. While I liked them, I always came away from the table feeling as if I ate too heavy a meal soon after. Last December, […]
Traditional Bolognese
I learned to make this recipe from my friend, Carol, a professional chef married to an Italian national. She used this sauce in a lasagna she brought to a pot luck. It was the best tasting lasagna I have ever had. All other recipes pale in comparison. The sauce is made of simple ingredients and […]
Béchamel Sauce
Béchamel, the mother of several other sauces, is a lovely white sauce that is so versatile and easy to make that it has become my go-to sauce for many Euro-centric recipes. The sauce is made with different consistencies depending on how you plan to use it. For example: Thin béchamel is a lovely base in […]
Szechuan Spicy Vegetables Stir-fry (Ma La Xiang Guo)
I made this dish recently when I was trying to finish off a variety of fresh vegetables in my fridge. This is a good dish for just that purpose. You can add seafood like shrimp or calamari to this dish as well. It is a heart-healthy, quick and easy meal that is very versatile. In […]
Masala Chai
Masala chai has gained a lot of popularity in the West. However, it is a common drink in many Indian homes. Masala means powdered spice or spice paste. It can be comprised of any spice in crushed form. Hence, garam masala means “hot” masala (it’s hot because the spices used in it generate heat in […]
Jam-Filled Biscotti
These moist and tender “biscotti” are so good they only last 48 hours in my home. They are deceptively quick and easy to make, however, they make a lovely presentation and lasting impression. I got this recipe years ago from the back of a bag of sugar. I hope you’ll try these out and let […]
Meaty Bolognese Sauce
This Bolognese sauce has tender, juicy bits of meat and is so dense and rich in flavor from the oxtail that it has become a favorite of my son’s. Bolognese is so versatile that it can be used not only to make a luscious lasagna but also as a topping for baked potatoes or crepe […]
Crustless Quiche
Yesterday, I decided that I needed to finish up some leftovers and make room in my fridge. I had some Irish potatoes (a new family favorite), lots of eggs, a small head of broccoli, various cheeses, and some plain, homemade yogurt. I decided to make a frittata. As I was prepping and cooking the vegetables […]
Pad Thai
I have tested a lot of Pad Thai recipes on the internet and was never very happy with the results as none of them tasted very authentic. However, my Thai friend, Suda, came over and showed me how she made hers and I have never looked back. I did, however, make some adjustments to her […]
Tapioca Pudding
This quick and simple gluten-free dessert is terrific on a cold day. I normally serve this to my kids as an after school snack. Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes rest before and after Yield: 4-6 INSTRUCTIONS 1.Add all the dry ingredients to a 1-quart anodized aluminum or nonstick saucepan. […]
Anju’s Cinnamon Buns
After researching and testing out different recipes, I came up with a mash-up that my family loves. This is a great way to get them to eat breakfast on-the-go when they are running out the door for school. These also make a wonderful after school snack. Because these are so popular and given the fact […]