Yogurt-Tahini Dressing

Yogurt-Tahini Dressing

Somewhere between a sauce and a dressing, this yogurt-tahini blend is spiced with lemon, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and sumac and is absolutely wonderful. It'd make a great dressing for steamed potatoes or a dip for veggies or a sauce for roasted root veggies...

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Double Grape, Rosemary and Pine Nut Compote

Double Grape, Rosemary and Pine Nut Compote

When fall approaches, the canner in me starts to envision hearty sweet-savory compotes rather than summer fruit jams. This compote just screams out to be enjoyed with grilled or roasted meat on a cool evening, atop hot polenta and taleggio and would also be absolutely wonderful on your Thanksgiving table. The concord grape base nicely supports the addition of rosemary, garlic, black grapes and brown sugared-pine nuts and the flavors interplay in a truly sublime way.

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Mushroom Ravioli in a Blue Cheese Sauce

Mushroom Ravioli in a Blue Cheese Sauce

This pasta dish was inspired by a meal I devoured in Florence, Italy. I don't actually recall what was in the ravioli there, but the creamy sauce flecked with speck (an Italian bacon) was out of this world. This is my homage to that.

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Rustic Shrimp Bisque

Rustic Shrimp Bisque

Do you love seafood bisques but find yourself wishing for something lighter on occasion? This cream-free bisque is a beautiful marriage of shrimp, brandy and aromatics and uses cooked rice in place of the cream. You'd never know!

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Red Beans and Rice, Louisiana Style

Red Beans and Rice, Louisiana Style

This is the best recipe I've found for recreating the wonderful Louisiana staple! I found this online but cannot for the life of me remember where. I've made only a few minor tweaks. Extras freeze well! Keep in mind that your dried beans will need to soak overnight and that once the dish is fully cooked, it's great to let it sit in the fridge overnight as the flavors will come together more fully.

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Almond Joy-Cardamom Ice Cream

Almond Joy-Cardamom Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream is so fabulous, and with a great foundation, the flavor possibilities are endless. My sons asked me recently what my favorite candy was, and I replied that the older I get, the less I actually enjoy candy. I'd much rather have chocolate or some sort of baked good, but when pressed to consider a candy bar I'd eat if I had to, I thought of the Almond Joy. Coconut, chocolate and almonds- what's not to love?! Inspired by this conversation, I made this ice cream which is like a homemade, subtle Almond Joy with a twist: a dash of cardamom. Divine!

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Honey and Spiced Fig Ice Cream

Honey and Spiced Fig Ice Cream

Since discovering the ease of making (and enjoying) fresh ricotta last year, I've been an ardent fan and rather obsessive maker of it. Most weeks, there's a fresh batch in my fridge, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is with lightly-spiced poached figs and their syrup. I also really enjoy using the whey which is great and useful in so many ways. This ice cream combines the use of whey with my favorite fig-ricotta snack.

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