The first time I made biscuits, I was in my teens — or maybe younger — and used the same mix we made pancakes from. After spying the recipe on the box, I couldn’t help but try making them — even if it felt a little illicit to be using our pancake mix in a [...]
Sometimes, you just feel like a little cake. Especially chocolate cake. (Am I right or am I right?!?) And that’s when mug cakes come in so handy. They are fast, easy and tasty — and they totally take care of the cake craving. To make a mug cake, you stir together a few ingredients in [...]
When the weather warms up, I start thinking about lighter foods. The soups and roasts that hit the spot on frigid New England winter days are forgotten in favor of lighter summer fare like fruit, everything grilled and salads. Dinner becomes an art of combining no-cook dishes (can’t heat up the kitchen!) combined with whatever [...]
New England summers have always meant copious amounts of seafood for me. And this year is no different — so as soon as the temperatures hit that comfortable level where grilling outside can be accompanied with eating outside, we picked up some littleneck clams to grill. Our local butcher shop, which also features a nice [...]
Balsamic Reduction on Fries When I was in Philly for the Type-A Advanced Conference in April, Cheryl from Middlesex County Parent and I had lunch at a cute outdoor cafe. When our sandwiches arrived, they were served with a heap of fries drizzled with a sweet balsamic reduction — and it was incredible. I told [...]
Sometimes, you just feel like a little cake. Especially chocolate cake. (Am I right or am I right?!?) And that’s when mug cakes come in so handy. They are fast, easy and tasty — and they totally take care of the cake craving. To make a mug cake, you stir together a few ingredients in [...]
When the weather warms up, I start thinking about lighter foods. The soups and roasts that hit the spot on frigid New England winter days are forgotten in favor of lighter summer fare like fruit, everything grilled and salads. Dinner becomes an art of combining no-cook dishes (can’t heat up the kitchen!) combined with whatever [...]
New England summers have always meant copious amounts of seafood for me. And this year is no different — so as soon as the temperatures hit that comfortable level where grilling outside can be accompanied with eating outside, we picked up some littleneck clams to grill. Our local butcher shop, which also features a nice [...]
When the weather warms up, I start thinking about lighter foods. The soups and roasts that hit the spot on frigid New England winter days are forgotten in favor of lighter summer fare like fruit, everything grilled and salads. Dinner becomes an art of combining no-cook dishes (can’t heat up the kitchen!) combined with whatever [...]
“You haven’t planned a dinner in a while,” my husband said recently as I stirred a bolognese sauce on the stove. Though I’d planned on making bolognese for dinner that day, I recognized the truth in the statement. Even though I’ve never been big on meal planning, I have always been a plan-ahead girl when [...]
Things change. Opinions. Ideas. Directions. Plans. And you kind of just roll with it and see what happens. Still, I am always a little caught off guard by change — especially change that involves my kids taste buds. And boy, have they caught me off guard recently by enjoying some foods with a nip of [...]
Sometimes, you just feel like a little cake. Especially chocolate cake. (Am I right or am I right?!?) And that’s when mug cakes come in so handy. They are fast, easy and tasty — and they totally take care of the cake craving. To make a mug cake, you stir together a few ingredients in [...]
When my husband and I bought our house nearly nine years ago, one of the first things we did was to buy a shiny new grill — a good one. We were young and excited and spared no expense on our appliances or grill — and that’s something I am very glad for. We made [...]
Once when I was a tween living in Poughkeepsie, New York, my family took a bike ride around our neighborhood with another family we were friends with. It was a cool spring day, and the blossoms were on the trees. Our friends had recently moved into the neighborhood, and — for me — it was [...]
When I saw these portabella mushrooms at a local grocery store, I swooned and my head filled with images of meaty roasted portabellas on a salad. Everything else I had imagined cooking vanished (I had really planned to stuff mushrooms with St. Patrick’s Day leftovers). I just wanted my warm portabellas and cool salad. We’re [...]
Early in 2012, I swore off dieting. I vowed to follow the idea of mindful eating and see where my body ended up. I truly believed that if I ate mindfully, the weight would just melt away. It didn’t. But, for a good while, it remained completely steady. Then, my weight started to climb a [...]
Is it summer yet? I can’t wait until the weather turns warm, and big beauties like this heirloom tomato are ripe on the vine again. I’m already fantasizing about Tuesdays at our local farmer’s market and (hopefully — fingers crossed!) a successful backyard garden. But in the meantime, we need to get through a little [...]
Something happened this weekend. Perhaps it was the effect of our Saturday picnic on the beach (our first of the year!). Or maybe it was the marked uptick in temperatures that seems to be signalling that spring is really, truly, finally here. But this weekend, I suddenly felt so happy and at peace — more [...]
There is so much good all around us, if we only take the time to see it. Goodness is bright and beautiful. It fills us up and reminds us that we aren’t alone. That’s such an important thing. Good was in the Christmas cards that arrived, sharing the kindest of well wishes in the aftermath [...]
On New Year’s Day, I wanted to fill our table with as many lucky foods as possible — including the Banana Cornbread and this rich, delicious lentil dish. We could definitely use a little luck as we head into 2013 — it has to be a better year. And so far, it’s been mostly good. [...]
Easter is this Sunday. Like, whoa. It seems so early to have Easter arrive, but here it is. And it’s time to start thinking Easter menus. Mine is typically pretty similar year to year — Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast, spiral ham, an egg dish … But the first two are the ones that everyone [...]
What will you be digging into this weekend while watching the Grammy’s? Not sure? How about some creamy, sweet, savory Strawberry, Basil and Brie Bruschetta? It’s super fast, super easy and absolutely delicious. It’s one of the recipes in my latest article on allParenting.com — and I would love if you’d check it out. You [...]
It’s no secret that I really to dig into a plate of good wings while watching football. They just go together. These crispy baked wings are tossed with a sweet-spicy Thai chili sauce that is just heavenly. The flavors and textures come together in a wing-tastic symphony. And on Sunday, you can bet that we’ll [...]
The first time I made biscuits, I was in my teens — or maybe younger — and used the same mix we made pancakes from. After spying the recipe on the box, I couldn’t help but try making them — even if it felt a little illicit to be using our pancake mix in a [...]
Sometimes, you just feel like a little cake. Especially chocolate cake. (Am I right or am I right?!?) And that’s when mug cakes come in so handy. They are fast, easy and tasty — and they totally take care of the cake craving. To make a mug cake, you stir together a few ingredients in [...]
Summer’s almost here and just about every parent I know is thinking about what their kids will do this summer. On one hand, there’s the relief of relaxed days filled with fun. But you also need to find things for them to do to keep their minds occupied too. And for some parents, there is [...]
When the weather warms up, I start thinking about lighter foods. The soups and roasts that hit the spot on frigid New England winter days are forgotten in favor of lighter summer fare like fruit, everything grilled and salads. Dinner becomes an art of combining no-cook dishes (can’t heat up the kitchen!) combined with whatever [...]
New England summers have always meant copious amounts of seafood for me. And this year is no different — so as soon as the temperatures hit that comfortable level where grilling outside can be accompanied with eating outside, we picked up some littleneck clams to grill. Our local butcher shop, which also features a nice [...]
