This is the time of year when I’m looking for healthy, light food made with seasonal ingredients. If I don’t have to spend too much time over a hot stove, that’s a bonus. This chilled, Spanish-influenced tomato soup checks all the boxes. Salmorejo has been described as gazpacho’s creamier and more richly flavored cousin. It’s […]

Cooking is a favorite pastime of mine on a rainy afternoon, so after stocking up on seasonal bounty I recently made an Italian feast! I began by preparing caponata, an easy, flavorful appetizer containing juicy tomatoes, a shiny eggplant and pantry items that include anchovies and capers. This delicious concoction can be whirred to complete […]

When I’m out and about, I cannot pass by a farm stand. I must check out the offerings, sometimes bringing home more than I really need. Fresh corn, greens, tomatoes, zucchini, melon and berries are just a few of the items I can’t resist. On one recent rainy night, I unloaded the refrigerator’s vegetable bins […]

I had the pleasure of taking the Casco Bay Ferry last weekend to visit my daughter and her family on Peaks Island. This is something I do about once a month and it’s always a treat. This Sunday morning was extra special because when I arrived, my son-in-law was in the kitchen making pancakes from […]

Every family has at least a few signature recipes; the ones that are made repeatedly for years and years then passed on to the next generation. In my family, one of these recipes is Bow Tie Salad. Once made a long time ago for a church potluck, this salad has since been requested again and […]

The first time I ever dined on fish wrapped in parchment was at The Dutch Treat, a sweet little restaurant in Franconia, New Hampshire. I loved the simplicity, I loved the elegance and I loved the full-out fresh flavor of a simple fillet of fish. The fillet of the day was cod, but since that […]

I really enjoy a good burger, especially done up on the grill. Sometimes I want to have something a little fancier than the usual. Basting a turkey burger with sweet bourbon glaze and serving them up on a flaky bun with creamy Gruyere and a bit of greens (for health reasons) makes a cookout more […]

Sea scallops are definitely a favorite of mine and I’m fortunate enough to have a nice supply in my freezer that I purchased locally during the winter months. I really am a scallop purist, but these scallops are bathed in a tangy sauce that works well to enhance their delicate flavor without overwhelming them. Served […]

Some days I don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Today was one of those days. I read on the deck, worked in the flower beds, then hiked through the woods to the main road. In between all that, I put together this pasta salad, crisped up some chickpeas and zucchini, […]

The grandchildren love nachos and have been known to eat them for dinner. One evening I decided to try this recipe out with the thought that it would be more substantial than the usual chips. Let me tell you, it was a hit. This velvety cheese sauce can also be reheated and used for other […]