Summer Favorites

Limoncello and Prosecco Cooler with Raspberry Ice Cubes

I can’t drink Limoncello without thinking of Boston. After my daughter Emily graduated from college her first job as a teacher was at a private school in the small town of Milford, CT. The summer after her first year of teaching, I traveled from Denver to New York City, met my sister Laura there and [...]

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Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches from Denver’s Paisano Sausage

Italian Sausage Sandwich with Italian Sausage, Onions, Red Bell Pepper and Balestreri Sangiovese Red Wine

Earlier this spring I was contacted by Erika Kerekes with Deluxe Corporation, based in Shoreview MN, wanting to know if I could help put together an event for one of their clients, a local Denver sausage maker. Kathy Laurienti, the owner wanted to introduce their newest product, a dry Italian sausage that they sell along with [...]

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The BEST Fresh Margarita

When I made this blood orange margarita in February I mentioned that I normally reserve margaritas for the summer. And this cocktail is the one I save until then. The first touch of warm weather and I start to think of margaritas; there is something about warm weather, a barbecue and having friends over that [...]

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Watermelon Martini

Doesn’t this Watermelon Martini look amazing? I think it does…but I was in no mood to make it myself! No,after a torturous week of dealing with food poisoning I’m not in the mood to eat or drink…and you know I love both.

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Strawberry Squares

This recipe for strawberries that are mixed with egg whites, whipping cream and sugar and then frozen between layers of crunchy nuts was a favorite of mine a long time ago. I still remember the reason I didn’t make it very often though and why it eventually lost favor with me. It was a mess [...]

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Gin and Tonic – A Quintessentially Classic Summer Cocktail

I’ve enjoyed this venture into cocktail making but can I share something with you? I don’t drink a lot…no, really I don’t! I come from a family with a history of alcoholism and as a result I’m as cautious as any one person could be to be aware of my drinking habits. So…do I drink [...]

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Panzanella (Tomato and Bread) Salad for April Recipe Swap

Panzanella (Tomato and Bread) Salad with Garlic and Parmesan

Fate must have played a strong hand in this month’s Recipe Swap; a group event where we are given an assignment that consists of an old recipe from a vintage cookbook; we’re currently working out of a book called The Ford Treasury and this recipe is from the Hotel Dilworth which the recipe itself indicates [...]

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Jalapeno Pepper Patty Melt for National Grilled Cheese Month

When the folks at Tillamook approached me several weeks ago to participate with them and other blogs in celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month in Grilled Cheese Recipepalooza of course I said yes; who doesn’t love that combo of butter toasted bread with some gooey cheese melted inside. I hoped that they would love my take on [...]

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Bacardi Cocktail – Another Classic for #HappyHourFriday

I might have had a moment in college when I tried an underage drinking experiment but the truth is, drinking to excess has never been my thing and worrying about getting into trouble kept me from having too many of those experiences. So turning 21 was actually a big moment; when I could order a [...]

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Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce with Toasted Walnuts

Maybe this is not acceptable use in terms of posting but I just had to. I have a very old recipe for a hot fudge sauce that hardens when it hits the cold of ice cream. How old is that recipe? Can you believe Before Food Blogging (you mean there were recipes BFB?) or even…oh [...]

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Sparkling Pomegranate Margarita and Homemade Grenadine Syrup for #HappyHourFriday

I know, I know…I’m late for a very important date. I typically get my cocktail post out in the morning but I’m living by the ‘better late than never’ mantra today. I went out for cocktails last night instead of making one. Let’s call it research!

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A Classic Whiskey Sour for #HappyHourFriday

A few weeks ago I wrote about another classic cocktail, the Manhattan, and I won’t deny that experience had me start thinking about other cocktails of my parents generation and this was one that came to mind. I can see why it’s maintained it’s popularity; it’s an elegant combination of ingredients and certainly beyond simple [...]

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The Best Guacamole and a Pleasant Surprise. The Rio Grande is NOT all about Margaritas!

I recently found myself on Facebook (a rarity) a couple of weeks ago on a page called the Guacamole Hall of Shame and I have to admit I was pretty surprised at some of the combination of ingredients included in these versions of guacamole; the most offending one for me was breast milk. Am I [...]

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A Not so Unique Asian Slaw with Almonds, Sesame and Sunflower Seeds

I made a conscious choice a few years ago to keep this blog about food; the food I love and want to share with others; even something as simple as this slaw. It was a decision to continue with my original intent when I started cataloging recipes online in 1995. What was that plan? Well, [...]

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Warm Honeyed Brie with Raspberries and Almonds

I’ve participated with Steven Gilberg and @WineTwits before when I’ve hosted combination wine tastings and tweetups that serve to get the word out about different wines; either by region or type. When I was asked to serve as a host for a ‘food’ event, how could I say no? I invited friends; made sure they [...]

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