At times I really struggle with life in the Pacific Northwest. While it is a beautiful part of the country that I have called home for many years there are seasons when I am reminded of another place, another stage of life, and I hear it calling. As Derby Day approaches, my thoughts turn to the beautiful Bluegrass State where I grew up. Remembering springtime on the banks of the Ohio, I can’t help but feel homesick. ..
Hearty and filling, this is the perfect entree to ward off a late winter chill. The rich flavor of stout adds a warm complexity to this Irish Stew. Served in a Bread Bowl and topped with a puff pastry shamrock it makes a festive centerpiece for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
If you read this blog regularly you may know that pancakes make me smile. There is something so basic and elemental about them. They are a real comfort food…
Last night for dinner I decided to try something new: Kale. While it is not rare or uncommon it is a vegetable I have never cooked before. Maybe that is because I didn’t really know what to do with it or maybe it’s just that it reminded me of the […]
Do you ever wonder what to do with leftovers? Sometimes, though I may have cooked enough the night before to feed my family several times over, when I look in my refrigerator I still don’t know what to have for dinner. I don’t want to serve the exact same thing […]
With the holiday season behind me, and January flying by, I feel a little out of step. All those lists and plans from December, many of which were abandoned while Portland rested under a blanket of snow, were gladly set aside in favor of a more organic holiday schedule inspired […]
This Creole style version of Jambalaya has been a favorite at my house for years. It is a slow-cooker recipe, perfect for simplifying a weeknight dinner. Ladle the Jambalaya over rice and serve it with a loaf of crusty bread or cornbread, and a salad for a simple and flavorful meal.
Slow-cooked Chicken Thighs, in a delicious Thai inspired peanut sauce, is a simple dinner inspiration that adapts easily to a hectic schedule. Serve it with Coconut Rice and a Quick Cucumber Vinaigrette for a complete and satisfying family meal.
I love fall. When the leaves begin to turn luminous shades of sunlit gold and the air brushes your cheek with that fall kissed crispness that suggests fires in the fireplace and cozy evenings with candlelight, I feel invigorated. Swirling leaves, tossed on the sidewalk, drifting at curbside, adding crunch […]
In October I often think of my garden in Dallas. Beside our house there, my husband built a well planned series of raised beds. There was an open area to the other side and the conditions were good for growing herbs and vegetables. I had another herb garden just outside […]
Don’t you love homemade pizza? I do. Do you know what’s even better than making homemade pizza? Easy. Homemade pizza that someone else makes for you – especially when they let you sit by with a drink and watch! Home Alone I took advantage of just such a wonderful opportunity […]
Begin a long distance exploration of Spain with a traditional Spanish Omelet, or Tortilla Española. It all starts with eggs, potatoes, and olive oil. In time you’ll have a lovely flat omelet, much like a frittata, prepared on the stovetop and finished in the oven. Perfect for breakfast, dinner or cut into small pieces as an appetizer.