Polenta. I like saying the word. PO-lenta sounds like poor lentils. Not too far fetched since this was originally a dish for the poor. This included the working class and farmers. Known as Italian grits, and made popular in Northern Italy, you can now find them around the world. Traditional polenta can cook slowly and for a long … Read More
Brussels sprouts are not the most hated vegetable in America. They are the most hated right behind turnips, beets and radishes. Shocking right? I am a skeptic too! I’m not the only one who grew up hating sprouts. But I can’t honestly tell you why. My mom never made them. I think it I picked up the idea … Read More
Candied yams on the table is a nod to soul food at its best. I have seen the battle for the yummy and it’s no joke! Everyone has their reason for loving this sugary side dish. For me, it’s the way the butter meets the brown sugar. This is one of those sides that can actually become the … Read More
Did you grow up with the cylinder of cranberry sauce on the table at Thanksgiving or Christmas? It wiggled like an older version of jello. I loved that it was all at once tangy and sweet. We used to slice it according to the lines on it from being in the can forever. It was tradition. We knew … Read More
Halloween recipes are everywhere and thank goodness. Each year, I look for ideas to shock and amaze my family. I love watching their faces when they walk into the dining room. There is something about this holiday that brings out the boo factor in all of us. The truth is, I started making weird and wacky Halloween recipes … Read More
Do people say bow tie pasta because it’s easier to say than farfalle pasta? I love that farfalle means butterfly in Italian. This is one of my favorite pastas to use when making a salad. It’s just so pretty! I was inspired to create this dish while attending a birthday party. One of the guests arrived with a … Read More
After school is that block of time between pickup and putting our key in the door. Depending on NYC traffic, that can take up to an hour. When our daughter was younger, you could satisfy her with a juice box and a handful of saltines. Those days are over. She is growing up and as a result, she … Read More
Empanadas are becoming a favorite for quick and easy meals for my family. Trying to please a picky eater? All you need is the dough. Sometimes they are sweet and filled with apples and cinnamon. The ones I made today are savory with tofu and mushrooms. What’s really fun about making these empanadas is that you can make … Read More