I can’t imagine a bowl of chili without cornbread. Somethings just go together and should never be parted! This doesn’t mean you can’t dress up your cornbread and add a variety of flavors to the mix. Variety is the spice of life after all. Cornmeal has so many different applications so don’t limit the flow of your creative juices to basic cornbread. Go wild with cornmeal and express yourself! Continue reading
When I was growing up there was always a subtle undercurrent of knowing that we had Irish in our blood. It wasn’t something we discussed a great deal. It was just something we knew and were proud of. If I was asked what my family ancestry was, I’d immediately reply, Irish. But it wasn’t until my mother started to trace our family history did some of the pieces began to fall into place and it became more real. Now, I had a yearning to visit the family roots and feel my full Irish. Continue reading
One of the things I look forward to at the holidays, or anytime there is a large gathering, is the variety of food. Large groups of people tend to mean Potluck style! You never know if you are going to have a dish you have never heard of, one of those taste treats you only allow yourself on special occasions or a new recipe that could become one of your favorites. That’s the beauty of it! Continue reading
Thanksgiving is almost here again. I love all the traditional flavors but I personally need something green and clean to cut the starches and richness. The flavors are so great but the colors of Thanksgiving are so…..beige. It doesn’t get any greener than Green Beans! Nathan Lane’s character, Albert, says it perfectly in Birdcage, (as they gesture to Albert’s pink socks) “These? Well, one does want a hint of color.” Continue reading
I love Thanksgiving! There is so much to be grateful for. It is the perfect time to slow down and savor the season before all of the holiday shopping, decorating and craziness starts. The only gifts at this holiday are the gifts of family and friends and I find that to be so very nice. Being a lover of most food, I like to switch it up and try different foods for Thanksgiving dinner. Who wants to get stuck in a rut when there is so much to be thankful for?
Das ist wunderbar! We have landed in Germany on the International Cooking Tour too late to squeak in a little Oktoberfest fun so we will have to recreate it at home! Germany has been the cradle of European culture from music, literature, theatre and fine arts with the finest musicians and writers like Beethoven, Bach, Goethe, Heine and Schiller. Amazingly Germany does not celebrate any national festivals, and until recently, not even a national day. What it lacks in national festivals, it makes up for in regional festivals. Oktoberfest being the most well known and celebrated around the world! Continue reading
Couscous, such a versatile little grain! Couscous marries beautifully with a wide range of ingredients and flavors. From the basic couscous recipe you can transform it with fruit and nuts, herbs and spices, and use it as a base for vegetable or meat dishes; it will even hold its own smothered in a green peppercorn gravy! It also mixes beautifully into salads. It’s remarkably easy to prepare too. When you are looking for the fastest starchy side dish you can can make, couscous is the answer! But what is it really? Continue reading
Give me a break! We all say it and we all need it. Sometimes your digestive system needs a break from the onslaught of all the different foods we eat too. It’s good to be kind to your body. It’s the only one you have! I have tried many cleanses and most of the time I was afraid of starving to death and my husband was afraid I was going to eat him! Kitchari doesn’t feel that way. You get plenty to eat and are satisfied. In fact, it tastes so good it doesn’t feel like a cleanse. It’s mild yet flavorful so you can serve it as a side dish too and it’s gentle on your bodies digestive system, which gives it a rest. Continue reading
What’s not to love about hanging out at Williams Sonoma? Everything is so shiny and colorful and the place just smells great all the time! I decided I really needed a little bonding time in the kitchen with fellow foodies and trotted myself over to Williams Sonoma for a technique class last Sunday morning. We were going to get “Inspiralzed” and that had to be good, right? Continue reading
I love the movie “Ratatouille,” the animated film about a rat who wants to be a chef. Every time I watch it, it reinforces my belief that anyone with a passion for food and cooking can pull off a great meal. When I found out Thomas Keller, world renowned chef/owner of The French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley was the consultant for the movie, it all made sense why I got that feeling. Amazingly Keller has no formal culinary school training but like Remy, the rat with the incredible sense of smell and a fabulous palate to go with it, they both have a strong passion for food and an “all things are possible” attitude. It really comes across in the movie.
“Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great.” – Chef Auguste Gusteau Continue reading
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Life of the Party Always (LOTPA) is about socializing and making every occasion with friends and family a festive one .
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