As much as I love to cook, there are some kitchen tasks that I find absolutely awful. Emptying the dishwasher is one. It is one of those tasks that I simply hate. It probably has something to do with the fact that all of my cabinets and drawers are overflowing with various cooking tools, serving … Continue reading Slow Roasted Plum Tomato Sauce
Grilled Mexican Corn
In our house, we love the movie Nacho Libre. Â Of course it is silly, but it is also heartwarming and touching in many ways (with a great soundtrack too). Â Thankfully, most of it is safe for children because it is one of their favorites -- but I am a little liberal when it comes to … Continue reading Grilled Mexican Corn
Creamy Grilled Peach and Bourbon Sorbet
OK. Â So I am in a conundrum as to what to call this dessert. Â I started out thinking this was going to be an ice cream. But then I decided to up the amount of peaches and add grilled peach puree to the ice cream base -- making it more icy than creamy, but also … Continue reading Creamy Grilled Peach and Bourbon Sorbet
Corn and Zucchini Bisque
Making soup is one of my greatest pleasures. Â After you know the basic models and processes, you can do just about anything and use up just about anything. Â It is a tremendous stress reliever for me too -- before every presidential debate (I get a little worked up over politics), I have to make soup … Continue reading Corn and Zucchini Bisque
Whole Grain Dark Chocolate and Dried Cherry Biscotti
If I were to make a list of things that change when you have kids, trips to the coffee shop wouldn't even make the top 25. Because pretty much every thing you do as a human being during the course of a day is impacted by children. Â Eating, sleeping, working, cooking, going to the bathroom, … Continue reading Whole Grain Dark Chocolate and Dried Cherry Biscotti
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
We have entered into the time of the summer where zucchini is plentiful. And by plentiful, I mean like a crazy band of procreating feral cats. The first two or three kittens are so damn cute -- but then they just become a nuisance that not even your neighbors or co-workers want. You know the … Continue reading Chocolate Zucchini Cake
The Girl’s Italian Meatloaf
Now that we are in our summer schedule, I usually try to get a run in on the treadmill while my son (almost 3) Â is napping during the afternoon. Â As I am attempting to burn off my last piece of pound cake (how aptly named...), my daughter (7 1/2) is conducting Barbie weddings, which generally … Continue reading The Girl’s Italian Meatloaf
Honey Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
I have nothing interesting to say. Â Would you call that the summer time blues? Â I guess it just has to do with trying to keep everyone entertained, fed, appeased, bathed, and exercised. Â While I attempt to keep the house cleaned, the weeds pulled, and the damn bathing suits and towels hung up. Â It hasn't helped … Continue reading Honey Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
Whole Grain English Muffin Bread
The popularity of backyard gardens, it seems, has skipped a generation. Â I am now thrilled to drive around town and see so many vegetable gardens all over town (more this year than I have ever seen). Â And I have been even more pleased to see how many young families are getting into gardening -- from … Continue reading Whole Grain English Muffin Bread
Pasta with Fresh Peas, Basil, and Mint
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that summer cooking is almost every bit as good as summer lovin'. Actually, I think it might be what replaces the thrill of summer lovin' when you get old and boring. Â Because seriously, heirloom tomatoes covered with olive oil and basil? Or fresh sweet … Continue reading Pasta with Fresh Peas, Basil, and Mint