Imagine sitting at an outdoor cafe, in the jungle, alongside a river. It’s about 100º, and the humidity is oppressive. It’s a gamble to guess whether you or your water glass is dripping with more beads of sweat. Searching the menu for something refreshing, you land on Zucchini Carpaccio. It’s got sun-dried tomato, parmesan, chive, lemon zest and arugula. Perfect. Continue Reading →
Minnesota is known for a lot of things. Long cold winters… more than 10,000 lakes… and Hockey Hair. Prince, Bob Dylan and Betty Crocker (not a real person) are all Minnesotans. Zubaz were invented here (sorry). We’ve got the Mall of America, a 49-foot tall statue of Paul Bunyan, and The Mayo Clinic. Folks from the North Star State famously insist on using the wrong name for a popular children’s game (they call it “Duck, duck, gray duck”. What?! EVERYBODY knows it’s “Duck, duck goose!”). If you’ve enjoyed Cheerios, Tator-Tot Hot Dish (again, sorry) or Bundt cake you can thank Minnesota. Continue Reading →
“We should have you over for dinner!”
We’ve all said it… and meant it… but for whatever reason, the dinner just never happens. Yet when it does, it’s always a treat. Last summer, some “new-ish” friends DID follow through and invited us over. We knew the company would be great — the delicious meal was a bonus! They served steaks from the grill, warmed bread and this Roasted Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Port. Simple. Elegant. Fabulous. Continue Reading →
This is the time of year when everyone seems to be saying “where did the summer go?”! Labor Day weekend snuck up on us, closing out the summer and marking the beginning of football season.
Like many, we’re planning that one last outing on the lake – which calls for good, but simple dishes to take along to enjoy with friends.
It would be easy to stop by the grocery store on the way and pick up a tub of one of their prepared salads. But this Broccoli, Pea & Cranberry Salad is not only easy to make, it’s a lot healthier than the fat-and-sugar laden version my store sells. And it’s just as delicious.
If you’re of a certain age, and especially if you’re from the east coast, you get a picture in your mind when you hear the word “steakhouse.” Maybe you know of Delmonico’s {the first steakhouse in the US}. Or Peter Lugers… Murray’s… Or my personal favorite, 21 Club. Continue Reading →
When we get together with our friends, at least two things are guaranteed :: lots of laughs, and really good food! Recently, we were getting together for a birthday dinner and everyone was asked to bring something. My friend Mim brought this Stetson Chopped Salad – which had the wonderful side effect of producing cravings for it the next day. And apparently, it’s famous!
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I don’t often get excited about salads. I mean, really… You order a salad on the rare occasion when your self control is in check {though you’d rather order the Nachos Supreme}. Or when ordering a salad makes you FEEL better about ordering the Nachos Supreme. And if I can be honest here… there aren’t a lot of salads that I crave. Continue Reading →
Who knew a chicken salad sandwich could bring out the rudeness in me AND turn me in to a temporary stalker?! In my defense, it wasn’t just ANY chicken salad sandwich, it was a Chicken Salad Sandwich with Smoked Almonds…
Husband and I have started naming our different bike routes. Last weekend, our 15 mile ride took us along the Mississippi River and through downtown St. Paul. The last leg involved a 3/4 mile trek over the Mendota Bridge. Not a big deal, unless you’re afraid of heights and 4 lanes of traffic whizzing by at 65 miles an hour. Oops. Continue Reading →
Celebrating milestones with friends is a gift. Celebrating with a girls’ getaway weekend is priceless.
Destination: Scottsdale. We were pretty much guaranteed great weather, terrific food and lots of laughs. Landing a few suites was a total bonus. We had booked a couple of regular rooms, but once we checked in, let’s just say there was a “plumbing issue” in the block of rooms we had, and the hotel had no choice but to move us. Continue Reading →
I'm glad you stopped by ... pull up a stool, grab your favorite beverage, and let's make something delicious!
