If my kids did the meal planning around here, it would go something like this: Monday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Tuesday Tacos, Wednesday Pizza, Thursday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Friday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Saturday Pizza. They would, if given the chance, eat this mac and cheese several nights of every week. Which, of course, meansContinue reading “Family Favorite Mac and Cheese”
Category Archives: Recipes
Brussels Sprouts and Braised Chestnuts
This recipe pairs two earthy, autumnal flavors in a hearty, filling way that is perfect for fall or winter. Brussels sprouts are having something of a comeback these days and chestnuts can’t be far behind. Stirring them together creates an incredible nutritional profile and an even better taste. recipe inspired by Julia Child in “The Way toContinue reading “Brussels Sprouts and Braised Chestnuts”
Whirley-Pop Popcorn
Is there a snack more fun than fresh-made popcorn? It’s warm and salty, buttery and airy. It’s not complicated or expensive, but feels more festive than, say, opening a bag of chips. While there are many ways to pop your own popcorn, I am fond of the Whirley-Pop method. I purchased our pan years ago andContinue reading “Whirley-Pop Popcorn”
No Frills Vanilla Cupcakes
As you might have sensed, I typically opt for simple rather than over-the-top, basic instead of bells-and-whistles. My cooking mantra is to use the very best ingredients, letting their very best flavors shine. So here, find a standard vanilla cupcake that can be frosted with ganache, buttercream, cream cheese icing — or, if you’re my non-sweets-loving son,Continue reading “No Frills Vanilla Cupcakes”
Pork Rubs
The bulk of our meat comes from farmers we know, raised humanely, less than an hour from our house. I typically make two trips a year, in the spring and fall, to pick up eight whole chickens or a processed half-a-hog. Which means that I have to get creative in my meat cooking. IContinue reading “Pork Rubs”
Celebratory Cinnamon Rolls
Christmas mornings. Birthday breakfasts. Snow day feasts. These sweet and sticky, warm and gooey treats are what we whip up for special occasion breakfasts no matter the time of year. Yes, they are more work than unrolling a can of Pillsbury. But they are oh-so worth it. Recipe from King Arthur Flour Makes 12Continue reading “Celebratory Cinnamon Rolls”
Sunday Morning Waffles
At our house, Sunday mornings mean waffles. Often before the sun is up, my husband and I are downstairs, heating the cast iron waffle maker, tossing together the flour, eggs, butter and milk. My waffle rarely makes it to a plate. I usually stand, gobbling its steaming goodness. And forget about leftovers. If we wantContinue reading “Sunday Morning Waffles”
Barbecue Sauce
I hail from the North Carolina Piedmont, not far from barbecue capital, Lexington, N.C. If you’ve got an impressive BBQ IQ then you know that Lexington lovers take their smoked pork with a vinegar tomato sauce and their chopped slaw stirred with the same. In my home kitchen, I cook my locally-raised pork shoulderContinue reading “Barbecue Sauce”
Pizzelle
I had never seen nor heard of these light-as-air cookies before meeting my Italian-American mother-in-law. Now my family makes them at least once a year, typically around Christmastime or sometimes to celebrate the first snowfall. Their thin circle shapes and dusting of powdered sugar make them resemble delicate snowflakes. But as beautiful as they are, it’s their sweetContinue reading “Pizzelle”
Creamed Spinach
When you’re looking for something green but not necessarily a salad, this dish fits the bill. Serve it with cornbread and pork, or eggs and toast. Perhaps the biggest endorsement of this dish is my 15-year-old, vegetable-averse son who recently said: “You know that spinach you made? At first I didn’t think I would like it, butContinue reading “Creamed Spinach”