Happy California Cows Also Make…Yogurt

Ever see the Happy Cows commercials?  We laugh so hard when we see them, probably because we really identify with them.  We see our past selves when they depict the miserable Midwestern cows in the even more miserable snow, and our present selves in the…

Taking Time to Smell the Curry

Life has a sneaky habit of going by too quickly.  There’s always the phone call I should have placed, the email I needed to return, the quality time I should have spent.  Even when it comes to friends and neighbors, weeks…even months…can go by before…

Costa Rican Gallo Pinto (Rice & Beans)

Most travelers who come home from a vacation to Costa Rica bring back memories of rain forests, howler monkeys, dips in natural hot springs, and some of the world’s best coffee.  For me, there was one other thing that made an impression.  I fell in love with…

Sunday Morning Pancakes

We have a tradition at our house.  Every weekend, we have pancakes.  Every Sunday, to be exact. Our pancake of choice: Buttermilk Pancakes.  We always have Buttermilk Pancakes. Then our individual flair sets in.  My husband is generally partial to dusting his pancakes with powdered…

Ode to Foghorn

Good things come in twos.  When I think of brownies, I think of ice cream.  And when I think of chocolate, I can’t help but think of raspberry. Chocolate and raspberry – it’s a classic pair, isn’t it?  There’s something about combining the rich dark…

Brussels Sprouts Need Love Too

Okay, I can hear some of you groaning.  Eew, Brussels sprouts.  I can also hear some of you cheering.  Seems to me when you say “Brussels sprouts,” people either love ’em or hate ’em (usually the latter). Growing up, Brussels sprouts never made it to…

Dirty Little Secret

Promise to not tell anyone? I have a little secret. Here goes. [Deep breath.] Sometimes I don’t have homemade chicken stock readily available. Gasp! [Wait, there’s more.] Sometimes I don’t even have canned or boxed stock in my pantry. The horror! I know, I know. …

Arroz Caldo for the Soul

Last week Mother Nature gave us a sneak peak into summer, and we had a few days of glorious sunshine and warm temperatures.  I even broke out my flip flops.  In February! But, it was just a tease, and that’s okay.  The chillier temperatures (and…

Buttermilk Banana Bread

Once you make this Buttermilk Banana Bread recipe, you’ll never make another banana bread again! This family recipe is the best moist banana bread recipe, delicious with nuts, chocolate chips, or your favorite mix-ins!

En Papillote

en pa·pil·lote|än pä-pē-ˈyōt| adjective and adverb (of food) cooked and served in a paper wrapper: [as postpositive adj.] fish en papillote We often think about how we should eat seafood more often, but somehow it is easy to forget when you live with a family…

Foodbuzz Top 9 – Again!

Woah!  I can’t believe it!  My post for Jambalaya made today’s Foodbuzz Top 9.  That’s the second time this week since my Beer Braised Short Ribs!  Holy Cannoli. [I’m speechless.]

Some Like It Hot

Foodbuzz Top 9!

So, I’m a little excited.  I woke up this morning to find out that my recipe for Beer Braised Short Ribs made the Foodbuzz Top 9 today!  It’s currently #6, woo hoo! That’s it.  I just had to share. Happy cooking and happier eating, everyone!

A Good Day for Short Ribs

There was something about today that just called for comfort food. The misty California morning, thoughts of snow throughout the country, and even the start of the winter Olympics made me crave something rich and slow cooked. I had some beautiful short ribs that I…

Cuties

My husband sat at the kitchen table the other night, tossing a Cutie in his hand, and remarked most appreciatively, “These are the perfect size for throwing, aren’t they?” Um, not exactly what I was thinking. I have been thinking about the genius behind the…