Shepherd’s Pie

Here’s a recipe inspired by my husband’s side of the family. I don’t know if I have his Irish heritage to thank or if his mother made it because it was a quick, one-dish meal that would inspire everyone to pull closer to the table. My husband’s version featured a pie plate layered with groundContinue reading “Shepherd’s Pie”

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

I haven’t made a coffee cake in years. They always seemed a little tasteless and disappointing. And there were so many better options. Like Morning Glory Muffins or Brown Sugar and Spice Banana Bread or Cornmeal Blueberry Scones. But a volunteer signup requested coffee cake, so I went searching. The first few recipes I triedContinue reading “Cinnamon Coffee Cake”

In-Season Veggie Pasta Salad

  When early spring begins to show her face and salads are again appealing, it’s time to throw together this dish. In summer, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, cucumbers and green onions can easily be subbed for the veggies listed below. But just now, asparagus, kale and chives are all I’ve got growing, so olives and dried tomatoes orContinue reading “In-Season Veggie Pasta Salad”

Lentil Cornbread Dinner

I came across a version of this recipe when I was first married and looking for easy, one-dish meals that I could put together in the morning and cook when I got home from work. With lentils as the main ingredient, I didn’t count on this being a big hit, but my husband loved it. And so didContinue reading “Lentil Cornbread Dinner”

Black Bean Raspberry Dip

When your job entails writing for a lifestyle magazine, sometimes a local caterer will “spill the beans” and send a great recipe your way. So was the case with this tasty dip, which marries flavors I would never have thought to bring together. Roanoke’s Tracy Hamilton seeks out a special raspberry salsa to make thisContinue reading “Black Bean Raspberry Dip”

Curried Parsnip and Apple Soup

Soup might be my very favorite way to eat parsnips, a root vegetable that’s cousin to a carrot and so much tastier than a potato. The texture of the softened parsnip purees nicely into a bowl full of creamy goodness. The apples in this bring out the parsnips’ sweet side and the curry complements itContinue reading “Curried Parsnip and Apple Soup”

Broccoli and Burrata Arancini

Score another one for the kids! My son picked an arancini recipe out of a cookbook this summer when it was his turn to make dinner. Turns out, we all love Italian rice balls. Who knew? But really, what could be better than transforming cheese sticks into dinner! I used that basic recipe as aContinue reading “Broccoli and Burrata Arancini”

Beautiful Beet Salad

  When the greens stretch tall and the dusty roots swell into big burgundy orbs in my garden, I start to do a happy dance. It’s time to roast and grate and slice those sweet, juicy, earthy bulbs we know as beets. There are more varieties than ever available for harvesting or scoring at the farmers market. TryContinue reading “Beautiful Beet Salad”

Sweet and Spicy Lentil Salad

I am always on a quest to add more plant-based protein and nutrient-rich fiber to my and my family’s plates. After cooking up some lentils to add to a Buddha Bowl dinner recently, I began searching for a recipe to use the rest of the dried lentils in my pantry. This, from the website My NewContinue reading “Sweet and Spicy Lentil Salad”

Brown Sugar and Spice Banana Bread

I have tried so many banana bread recipes over the years. After all, every family needs a go-to recipe for what to do with those bananas after they’ve sprouted brown spots and no one will touch them. But I always come back to this one, from The Moosewood Cookbook. I have tweaked and omitted andContinue reading “Brown Sugar and Spice Banana Bread”