Mexican Tomato Salad

Who says the flavors of pico de gallo have to be limited to a mere condiment? Summer tomatoes are still producing in large qualities this time of year, and I’m a huge fan of the tiny grape tomato varieties because of their sweetness and hearty texture. I love the simplicity and versatility of this recipe. [...]

My First Tomato of the Summer

I had grand visions of planting a lush garden in my backyard this past spring. It would have been bountiful and ripe with gleaming red tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, string beans and even a few of zucchini plants. Sadly, life got in the way and the activities of summer began to take priority. Those daydreams were [...]

Strawberry & Mandarin Orange Salad

Creative juices flowed freely while preparing dinner for a few friends. I knew a simple salad would be the perfect opportunity to use a lone can of mandarin oranges that has been setting on my pantry shelf. I honestly can’t remember when I bought the can and I needed to silence it’s desperate cries to [...]

Rhubarb Apple Crisp

Summer is a time for sharing the excesses of nature’s bounty among friends. Recently, my friend Loie asked if I was interested in some fresh rhubarb given to her by a neighbor kid. While I’ve never used the celery-like ingredient in cooking, I saw the gift would be a good excuse to be adventurous. It [...]

Grilled Seasonal Vegetables

I don’t know if it’s the warmer weather or if my taste buds are changing with age. But I’m finding myself leaning toward more seasonal and cleaner flavors. I’m also starting to incorporate new ways to make my recipes easier without crossing into the “semi-homemade” world of cooking. Roasting vegetables is a common practice in [...]

Tips for Growing Fresh Basil

Anyone who flips through the recipes on this site will find I’m a huge fan of fresh basil. It’s my go-to herb of choice when I’m looking to add a boost of flavor. Of course, other classic favorites include parsley, rosemary, thyme and cilantro. But basil always seems to be the front runner in most [...]

Basil & Tomato Baked Eggs

Forget about rubbery scrambled eggs or slaving over a hot stove while frying eggs one at a time. A simple and creative way to add elegance to a Sunday brunch is to bake your eggs in gratin dishes. You can even add a splash of summer freshness with a sprinkling of snipped herbs or farm [...]

Grilled Asparagus with Crumbled Feta

Late last summer I discovered a farmer’s market that is along my route home from work. Sometimes I would even stop by before heading home even if I didn’t need anything just to see the bounty of the local harvest first hand. It actually became pretty therapeutic and a great way to unwind after the [...]

Sweet & Tangy Cucumbers

If I see yet another flake of snow this year, I’m going to scream. Pittsburgh was hit pretty hard with several major snow storms and it has been months since I’ve seen something other than white in my front yard. Even Sophie is over it. With the official day of spring just around the corner, [...]

Roasted Maple Dijon Brussel Sprouts

My favorite way to cook brussel sprouts is by roasting them. I love how the edges get crispy from the intense heat and they seem to take on a hint of sweetness. Many sprout recipes usually incorporate some sort of meat like bacon or prosciutto. While they are tasty, I wanted to do something a [...]

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