My family loves lamb. Just this spring I posted about how to buy lamb and then I put together a lovely lamb dinner menu. I’d say that I serve lamb three or four times a month in every form, from grilled chops to meatballs and burgers to braised shanks. We’re lucky here in Austin that [...]
Sometimes there is no substitute for simple and easy. Recipes with a few ingredients that work well together and that are almost no-fail simply can’t be beat. My mom’s pound cake recipe is exactly that. It has a short list of ingredients – six to be exact – and with the help of a stand [...]
Back in February, on Fat Tuesday proper, I celebrated all the joys of New Orleans food with friends and family as part of a Zatarain’s biggest Fat Tuesday Celebration. Zatarain’s equipped parties around the country with supplies, decorations, and party ideas so we could bring a bit of the spirit of Mardi Gras and Louisiana [...]
Cobbler and the South are like bread and butter, peas and carrots, hook ‘em and horns, and other natural combination. This is not to say that they don’t have cobbler in the North, but when I think of the many ubiquitous foods in my Southern heritage, cobbler is a stand out. When I was growing [...]
If you’re short on time but still want to put together an elegant appetizer for a picnic, potluck, or your own party, don’t despair. You can put together a beautiful dish that travels well in no-time flat just like I did for a recent food blogger potluck.
This year Zatarain’s is throwing a nationwide Mardi Gras party on Fat Tuesday, February 16, with participants from all across the country, in hopes of setting the world record for largest Mardi Gras house party. Thousands of participants will be hosting Mardi Gras celebrations at home with their closest families and friends and I’m happy [...]
While my Valentine’s Day menus often include decadent favorites like lobster, steak, and truffles, this year I wanted to put together a healthier menu that would still feel decadent.
I’m happy to report that in January I stuck with my 2010 culinary resolution to learn how to bake bread. My baking group has moved on to its second assignment: soft whole wheat sandwich bread.
Citrus is a bright spot in the cold of winter, giving us a sneak peak of the fresh fruits and vegetables waiting for us in spring and summer.
I created a hearty pasta recipe that uses four different kinds of vegetables, including one that’s somewhat new to me – bok choy. It’s based on a recipe for BBQ lamb chops with a soba noodle salad that I first had in a cooking class with Terry Conolan, the executive chef at the renowned Lake Austin Spa and Resort.
One of my 2010 culinary resolutions is to learn how to bake bread. While I’m lucky enough to have access to some great local bakeries, there’s just something extra-special about homemade bread that is comforting to the soul of both the maker and the diner. And of course, anytime I make something at home I [...]
[Jump right to the recipes:
Lemon-Blueberry Muffins & Make-Ahead Whole Wheat Waffles]
Breakfast is a great conundrum for the busy family. As a mom I know that it’s critical that we all start the day with a nutritious boost, but adding a healthy breakfast into a crazy morning routine can be daunting. Over the years I’ve worked [...]
[Jump right to the recipe: Texas-Style Buffalo Meatloaf]
It’s January. It’s a new year in a new decade (depending on how you choose to count such things), and a chance to start anew. While it doesn’t have to say January 1 on the calendar to make a commitment to make a change in my life, for [...]
[Jump to the recipe: Lemon-Lavender Shortbread]
My local Austin food blogger brethren and I love nothing more than to get together and share food. And while the food is important – we are food bloggers after all – we get together for so many other reasons. We have a shared passion for not just food but [...]
One of my favorite additions to a winter holiday menu is a warm and creamy artichoke dip. There’s just something satisfying about dipping a crisp crostini or cracker into a bowl of rich and melty goodness. It’s a nice alternative to a typical queso and adds a hint of sophistication to any menu, be it [...]
[Jump right to the recipe: Cranberry Palmiers]
There’s just something about a cookie that seems to make the holidays that much sweeter. Cookie swaps, cookie gift baskets, and cookie trays at the office all speak to our shared love of the Christmas cookie. Cookies really are more than just a tickle for the sweet tooth. They [...]
It’s been almost a decade since I’ve had to plan a Thanksgiving dinner but this year I’m on the hook. After spending a few hours on recipe creation and planning, I remember why it’s such a huge pain. Putting together a big collection of recipes that all work together not only from a flavor-perspective but [...]
[Jump right to the recipe: Pumpkin Bread]
Early this fall, my company’s resident baker brought in a wonderful loaf of pumpkin bread in an attempt to fatten up our staff. I was of course more than happy to partake of her bread, seeing as I love pumpkin in wholly unwholesome ways. I immediately asked for the [...]
[Jump right to the recipe: Savory Chex Mix with Pumpkin Seeds]
Throwing a really great party doesn’t have to be difficult if you do two important things:
Plan ahead a bit.
Create a menu that combines a healthy selection of make-ahead recipes with a few choice “serve immediately” dishes. The make-ahead dishes are the backbone of the party and the [...]
Sausage and broccolini come together quickly in a healthy and delicious dinner you can make on a weeknight.
