“You don’t win friends with salad,” says Homer Simpson. I disagree! I adore salad and actually have lots of friends who love it, too. Heck, I’ve even started new friendships over salad! Fresh salad is awesome – tender greens, crisp veggies, something crunchy like toasted nuts or bacon, maybe grilled salmon or chicken or some…
The Poetry of Food
I love the inspiration for this blog post, which was originally published October, 2015. It’s a fitting time to re-circulate it, since southwest Florida is coming into its growing/harvesting season after a long, hot summer, and farmer’s markets are in full swing. So, I’m looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things growers are harvesting…
5 Uses for Fresh Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a lovely, citrus scented herb in the grass family – it has a very pleasing lemon scent, and cooking with it offers none of the bitterness of the actual lemon, so it’s versatile in sweet or savory dishes, spicy or mild. But do you find yourself with lots of lemongrass and don’t know…
Cheesy Polenta with Roasted Veggies
You might recall that I’ve been lacking in the cooking inspiration department lately. . . Thankfully, signs are pointing toward improvement! I know this because I’ve been paying attention to what other food writers are cooking, noticing what’s fresh/in season at the farmer’s market, what’s on special at the supermarket, and even thinking about Fall-type…
A Frittata to Save the Day
Things have been topsy turvy here in southwest Florida due to a long-running episode of red tide in the Gulf, along with algae wreaking havoc in our canals. I’m not gonna mince words. . .it has been horrible. I think it’s the worst bout of red tide I’ve seen in the 28 years I’ve lived here….
So Long, Irma!
September 10th marks the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma, the storm that wreaked havoc on Florida in 2017. Today I realized that last year at this time I was glued to my TV and preparing our house for a big hit. But I also reflected on our blessings, challenges and opportunities, and I’m still amazed…
Buttery New England Baked Cod
I originally published this post on the blog in August, 2015. For my parents’ recent birthday dinner, I made this dish, since our whole family loves Cod, and I’m sharing it again, in hopes of inspiring YOU to make it! ________ Baked Cod topped with buttery Ritz crackers and fresh lemon juice is one of…
Plum Cakes
Julia Child’s birthday was this week – August 15, to be exact. For those of us who love to cook, she was an inspiration because we learned so much from her, and we saw the passion and joy she displayed in her kitchen, so we celebrate her special day! I was really young when…
Buddha Bowl with Quinoa, Beets & Chickpeas
If you’re like me, you’ve noticed tons of “Buddha bowl” pictures on social media. You know, those beautiful photographs of colorful food artfully arranged in wide-mouthed bowls, so gorgeous in fact that they make you want to reach in for a bite? Well, today I decided to make my own, but here’s a little back…
Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon-Rum-Orange Yogurt
Growing a pineapple is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. All you have to do is place the green top of a pineapple into some dirt and wait for it to produce a flower — one that results in a perfect pineapple. Easy, right? Like many things, it’s not that simple….
Have a Picnic!
(Note: this is an updated version of the original blog post I wrote July 20, 2017. Because it’s prime picnic season, I thought it was worth another look!) In July, 2017, I wrote an article for Edible Sarasota titled Florida Picnic which included my own creations for summer dishes like chicken sandwiches with mango-mayo, lime-infused berry…
Grilled Florida Lobster with Cajun Butter
July 25-26, 2018 is the “mini season” for Florida spiny lobster. This annual 2-day window is a mad dash for recreational lobster-seekers, and it’s just before the regular season of August 6, 2018 – March 31, 2019, when both recreational and commercial fishermen seek them. Lobstering in Florida is pretty fun, from what I’ve been…
