Balsamic Vinaigrette

I’m a huge salad fan — I build them with spinach, beets, lentils, you name it. But the piece that really pulls all those fresh veggies together is the perfect dressing. For a mix of spinach and sprouts and strawberries and pecans, I have long enjoyed this Poppy Seed Dressing. Then I remembered how well balsamic vinegarContinue reading “Balsamic Vinaigrette”

Irish Soda Bread

My husband’s father is Irish-American and his mother was Italian-American, which means my husband grew up with an appreciation of both cultures, but a table topped with Italian dishes. When our family began our own holiday traditions, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day was among them. But there was no cherished Irish Soda Bread recipe to be handedContinue reading “Irish Soda Bread”

Cranberry Orange Sauce

I made my first-ever cranberry sauce a few Thanksgivings ago. I have to admit, I was pretty smitten. These days, it’s not hard to find whole, fresh cranberries at many stores. But if fresh aren’t available, frozen whole cranberries will work too. I have tinkered endlessly with this recipe, trying to find the perfect balanceContinue reading “Cranberry Orange Sauce”

Ham Roast With Blueberry Sauce

We often roast a cut of local pork for our holiday dinners. It feels festive but not fussy, and it leaves lots of room for sides. This ham-blueberry-honey dish has graced more than its share of celebratory tables, often alongside scalloped potatoes, mashed butternut squash, corn pudding and apple pie. But it works just asContinue reading “Ham Roast With Blueberry Sauce”

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Honey Bread

My husband is the bread baker in our home. On a good week, he makes two to three loaves (we do feed a teenage boy, after all) that become breakfast toast, lunch sandwiches, afternoon snacks, dinner sides, and even, on occasion, dessert. (As in, “I’m still hungry. Is there anything else to eat?” “Oh yes,Continue reading “Whole Wheat Oatmeal Honey Bread”

Saying ‘No’ to Sugar

For the last three weeks — since Ash Wednesday, on February 14th — I have eaten almost no sugar. (And, man, have those three weeks felt like three years!) I gave up sugar for Lent because, for me, it’s a real sacrifice. While I’m not much of a candy girl, I do love my cookiesContinue reading “Saying ‘No’ to Sugar”

Chocolate Cherry Granola

I love to make my own granola, using all the best ingredients, eating it straight from the pan warm, mixing and matching nuts and seeds and dried fruit to create exactly what I want at that moment. I’ve shared my granola go-to with you before. But here’s another recipe, sure to cheer those dark, coldContinue reading “Chocolate Cherry Granola”

Chicken Wings With Honey Yogurt Sauce

Wings are fun, festive, quick to make and delicious. Perfect as apps before your holiday party or as a simple dinner paired with mashed potatoes and salad. When my family last bought a batch of local chicken, we picked up six fresh whole chickens and cut them into parts before we froze them — ziplockContinue reading “Chicken Wings With Honey Yogurt Sauce”

Autumn’s Apple Cabbage Slaw

I have a thing for slaw. It maybe has something to do with my love for salads. Slaw is simply a great way to toss together lots of seasonal veggies and have the whole taste even better than the parts. It keeps well in the fridge. It’s already dressed. Slaws are big hits at potlucks. ThisContinue reading “Autumn’s Apple Cabbage Slaw”

Simple Slow Cooker Applesauce

This recipe couldn’t be easier. But you wouldn’t believe how many people ooh and ahh over homemade applesauce. It’s so different from anything you pour from a jar. Following these steps will give you a sauce that lets the many, lovely flavors of apples truly shine — the cinnamon only works to bring out theContinue reading “Simple Slow Cooker Applesauce”