I usually have two goals with my potluck contributions: it should be easy to eat, and it should be something healthy. I plan food that is easy to eat because many summer potlucks are held outside, or somewhere where you have to eat on your lap, sitting on the ground, or standing up. Instead of […]
Snacks are a part of any complete meal plan, and we’re so glad one of our readers wrote to ask for healthy snack ideas so that we could share this component with you now. When kids are younger there are usually two snack times, and then there is the after school snack for older children. […]
Fall always inspires me to entertain… As the fall days begin to cool, with a hint of winter weather on the edges, I begin to think of warm dinners shared with friends and family. The markets are filled with autumn bounty in preparation for Thanksgiving feasts and holiday parties. You don’t have to host the holiday […]
I love Indian cuisine. The savory spices, creamy sauces, fruit and mint chutneys, the abundant use of legumes and vegetables…my list goes on and on. And yet, even though I’ve added the basic Indian spices to my pantry and have some of the classic Indian cookbooks written especially for the American home cook, I don’t cook […]
The last week of summer was a fun one, packed with family visits on both ends and friends in the middle. The Seattle September rains have started early and I can already see a change in my meal planning as I gravitate towards more soups and baked dishes. At least it’s cool enough to use […]
I had a minor kitchen crisis this week, when I discovered my freezer door wasn’t shut all the way and everything in the freezer had started to thaw. UGH. I took out four packages of chicken breasts and thighs, two bags of chicken stock, and various semi-frozen fruits and vegetables. Now what? I decided that […]
It’s the last month of summer. The produce is plentiful and the days are warm (or blazing hot). But still the question remains, what are you making for dinner tonight? Kimberly and I ask each other all the time what we are currently cooking or preparing for our families. It’s inspiring to get new ideas, […]
It’s time for our annual Summer Squash Spree – a celebration of all the delicious dishes that feature zucchini, yellow crookneck, and pattypan squash. Summer squash are relatively inexpensive, quick to prepare, and have a sweet, popular flavor. Preparing: Summer squash is picked when the vegetables have not fully matured. When they are “young,” they are […]
Basil is one of the bountiful gifts of summer. It’s a breeze to make on hot days since you don’t have to cook anything to prepare it, and it keeps in the refrigerator and freezer for a long time. Presto 5 fast meals with pesto! Toss with grilled vegetables Use as a pasta sauce for […]
Toss it together! It’s June, and officially grilling season. I’m eagerly cooking outside, now that it is warm and light enough in the evenings. This is leaving us with assorted leftovers; a few grilled chicken thighs, part of a grilled pork loin, and even condiments of lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and onions. This week, I […]