An Orange Marinade for Fish

Here is another example of a recipe inspiring me to create something new. The original recipe was for a yogurt-caper sauce to be served on roasted salmon. Well, my husband doesn’t like yogurt, and I find it a bit iffy to use in cooking, myself. But I liked the flavor combinations suggested by the recipe. [...]

Compound Butters

When you’re trying to put together a weeknight dinner, seasoning can seem like too much of a hassle. You have to mince garlic or herbs, measure out spices and figure out what flavor combinations work well together. When serving plainly cooked fish, chicken or vegetables, it often seems easier just to let a dash of [...]

Really Great Guacamole

Guacamole is one of my favorite foods in the world. I could easily eat a whole bowl by myself, and if I see it on the menu of a Mexican restaurant, I have to have it — which is why I tend to avoid Mexican restaurants.

Yes, guacamole is high in fat and calories, because avocados [...]

Spice Pastes For Grilling Season

Now that grilling season is upon us, I have been making a lot of spice pastes. I like spice pastes better than marinades for grilling or roasting bone-in chicken pieces with the skin on, because the spices adhere to the skin, produce a nicely browned crust and provide a more powerful flavor wallop. Spice pastes [...]

Bruschetta

Bruschetta (pronounced “broo-sketta” ) and its relation, crostini, is one of my favorite snacks, especially now that summer is here and there is such a plethora of likely toppings. When most people think of bruschetta, they think of the classic starter of toasted bread served with a topping of chopped tomato and basil. Actually, bruschetta [...]

Roasted Tomato Salsa (Salsa Ranchera)

Here is another salsa to add to the collection. This one is simply delicious on warm entrees like enchiladas and beans. It is also a good choice when the fresh tomatoes are not at their best, because roasting the tomatoes brings out all of their sweetness.
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Time to make: ~15 minutes
What you need:

4 plum [...]

Anniversary Flowers & Church Lady Cooking

It was my second wedding anniversary this week. My husband, who does many things right, remembered to send me irises, my wedding flower. We took the day off from work to spend together, finishing with a memorable dinner and a fantabulous crème brulée at what has been dubbed, even in its first year, the [...]

How to Make Lasagna

When I’m hosting a dinner — particularly a family dinner — or I have to bring something to a potluck, lasagna is one of my go-to recipes. Everyone loves lasagna, vegetarian versions are still satisfying to meat-eaters, and whenever you make it, you have to make a ton.
But I never make lasagna when it’s just [...]

Black Bean Salsa

Oscar night usually lends itself well to fun menus — movie-themed snack foods that can be eaten in front of the TV while ultra-thin stars parade down the red carpet. But this year I just wasn’t inspired. What kind of menu can you build around something called The Departed? I hadn’t even seen any of [...]

Aioli

Aioli is essentially mayonnaise, but mayonnaise with a pedigree. Redolent with raw garlic and olive oil, aioli is synonymous with Provence. It is used as a condiment for many dishes, including simply cooked vegetables, fish soups and seafood. It also makes an unusual spread for toasted croutons or dip for crudités.

Traditionally, aioli is made with [...]