One of our favorite vegetables is broccoli.  We love it raw, steamed, smothered in cheese, mixed into casseroles and soups, and tossed in salads, but we especially enjoy it roasted.   4 cups fresh broccoli florets, from 2 small heads 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/4…

If you’ve never been to Pittsburgh, you’ve probably never had a Pittsburgh Salad—a traditional steak salad…topped with French fries!  Pittsburghers love finding ways to include fries in just about everything.  It may not be healthy, but it’s damn delicious.  While my father finds the addition of fries to a salad to be revolting, my husband…

    We watch a lot of sports in our household.  My husband is a New York sports fan (Mets, Giants, Rangers, Knicks) and I’m straight-up Pittsburgh.  When we aren’t cheering for our designated pro teams, we’re watching college football, horse racing, golf matches, and right now, the World Cup.  For me, watching sports is…

If you are craving a salad that screams summer, look no further.  Ripe juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, vibrant basil, drizzled with sweet balsamic vinegar.   It’s that simple.   4-6 ripe tomatoes, preferably different varieties and colors, sliced 1/4 inch thick 8 oz ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1/3 cup…

The very first holiday we celebrated in our current home was the 4th of July.   We had moved in only a couple of weeks earlier and hadn’t fully unpacked.  Our party was small—just my husband, son, and mother (who came down to help), along with our only friend in the area, and me.  We…

When planning this year’s 4th of July festivities, I decided to serve lemonade as a refreshing beverage, but I wanted to make this summer staple special.  I decided to use lavender simple syrup to add an herbal note, which proved to be a wonderful combination.  This lemonade is excellent mixed with bourbon or vodka as…

  My mom has made this rice for as long as I can remember.  I love it so much, it has become a mainstay in my recipe repertoire.  Cooking the rice with chicken bouillon and adding thyme provide savory notes, while the sautéed onion gives it sweetness.  It’s a great side dish for any meal…

  I came up with this recipe when trying to find a new way to prepare pork tenderloin.  It’s so simple, flavorful, and cooks quickly.  My son loves it so much, he stands by the cutting board, grabbing and eating pieces as they are sliced.   1 1/2 lbs Pork Tenderloin  3 cloves garlic, minced…

  This is a mashup of two recipes: Ree Drummond’s “Cherry Almond Crisp” and Better Homes & Gardens “Fruit Crisp” (Meredith Books).  I love the filling from the Pioneer Woman’s recipe, but the topping didn’t have enough bulk for my taste.  Inspired by the Better Homes and Gardens recipe, I added old-fashioned oats to the topping…

Growing up, when it became hot out, my mom would make this delicious salad for dinner.  It’s filling, yet refreshing, not to mention incredibly flavorful and simple to make.  It’s one of my all time favorite summer meals.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.   1 lb small pasta shells 1…