Cooking from scratch: healthier, cheaper, and a great creative outlet
Our winter weather started off this week with a foot of snow. I knew I needed to make a pot of soup for the week, but what kind? No family member gave me any ideas. I had half a head of cabbage left from making galumpki's. I found half a ring of kielbasa in the … Continue reading Using Leftovers for Soup – a New Life Lesson
Now that the holidays are over, and suddenly the weather is supposed to have a cold snap (finally! 45 degrees at the end of December in the northeast is crazy!), it's time for soup. Specifically a Ham, Cheese and Potato soup that can be lunch or dinner. It's a good hearty meal. Just add salad … Continue reading How to Make a Great Ham, Cheese & Potato Soup
There are certain things I must have in my kitchen to cook with. Maybe your twelve are different, but this list will get you started. I hate having an item that can only serve one purpose. It just takes up space, except for a couple of times a year when I might want it. And … Continue reading My Kitchen’s Most Valuable & Essential Appliances
Honey Apple Egg Rolls....I've made these for years and years. Almost 40 years in fact. I can't even remember where I found the recipe or maybe the inspiration for the recipe. They look hard, but are so easy. And make an unusual handheld dessert which are great for after an Asian meal, for a picnic, … Continue reading How to Make an Eggroll Dessert
September - always for me a time of new beginnings.... the first day of school, new autumn clothes, and here in the northeast, cooler weather starts to roll in. The first foggy morning hits as soon as the air is cooler than the ground. The first red and orange leaves appear on maples. And this … Continue reading What is the Best Chowder to Welcome Fall Weather?
As I promised, here's another salad for the remaining summer, and it works even into fall. A salad can be a whole meal when it's packed with protein; this Tuna and White Bean salad has a lot more than going on than just lettuce! This salad needs large chunks of tuna, so I use either … Continue reading How to Make a Salad turn into a Meal
I based this salad on a recipe I found long ago in a magazine. I think that one only used berries, but I have expanded the way I make it to use any kind of fresh summer fruit, and even canned fruit when there isn't any good fresh fruit available. Sometime even a combination of … Continue reading How to Make A Really Tasty Fruit Salad
Here's an update of an older column about one of my favorite things - my cast iron pots. Note: Amazon has some cast iron cookware sales going on right now! I love cast iron skillets. I can remember Grandma cooking with two things: cast iron skillets and Revere ware pots. I don't think she owned … Continue reading The Best Way to Use & Care For Fantastic Cast Iron Cookware
I promised more easy summer salads, so here's another favorite of mine. I use fresh corn on the cob, cook and char it a little on the grill, then combine the corn with two kinds of legumes for some protein, in a light dressing. The corn can be totally cooked on a grill, but I … Continue reading Ultimate Charred Summer Corn Salad Made Easy
Summertime means lots of fresh vegetables and salad. I try not to make only lettuce based salads, though, and broccoli salad is a favorite at our house. Watch for more vegetable salads in the future! Broccoli salad is so easy to make. I don't grow my own broccoli - it always seems to be eaten … Continue reading How to Make The Most Fantastic Broccoli Salad