Recent Posts

Country Style Pork Shoulder Ribs

Country Style Pork Shoulder Ribs

I’ve made these “ribs” (which, as mentioned in an earlier post, Two Options For Dry Rub Marinated Baby Back Ribs, are not technically ribs) more often than any other dish in my blog, and they are consistently tender, flavorful, and delicious.  My Mom, who would 

Crab Imperial

Crab Imperial

Growing up, our local fine dining restaurant, The Bistro, featured this main dish on its menu. It was baked and served in individual scallop shells, which was a nice touch. Here it’s made in a single baking dish. While simple to prepare, the flavor is 

Penn Dutch New Year’s Day Pork and Sauerkraut

Penn Dutch New Year’s Day Pork and Sauerkraut

The area of Western Maryland where I grew up is home to many families of Pennsylvania Dutch, Amish and Mennonite descent, and this dish is one of my favorite memories from child – and adult – hood.  It’s a recipe for Penn Dutch New Years 

Homemade Almond Joy Candies

Homemade Almond Joy Candies

My friend Vicki makes these every year for the holidays, and I’ve been the lucky recipient of many a care package that included these tasty homemade candies. This year, instead of making my usual Bourbon Balls to give as host/ess gifts, I decided to try 

Louisiana Crunchy Oven Fried Chicken

Louisiana Crunchy Oven Fried Chicken

Recently I was thumbing through one of my Mom’s “River Road Recipes” cookbooks. The ‘River Road’ runs beside the Mississippi River in Louisiana, along which are many of the South’s most famous plantation homes, such as Oak Alley and Nottoway. The cookbooks are published by 

Vintage American Tuna Noodle Casserole

Vintage American Tuna Noodle Casserole

This is one of those quintessential Americana recipes that everyone, including myself, grew up on – and loved. My Mom altered the classic recipe just a bit, by substituting corn flakes for potato chips, because she thought the chips made the dish too salty. She 

Retro Ham Bites With Cream Cheese

Retro Ham Bites With Cream Cheese

I cannot recall specifically whether these appeared on some party platter at a gathering thrown by my parents when I was a kid – and if they did, surely they were served with cellophane or multi-colored toothpicks. In any event, the combination of ham, pickle 

Bacon & Blue Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Bacon & Blue Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers

I loves me some turkey burger! My earlier post, Hearty Blue Cheese and Bacon Burgers, calls for incorporating the bacon and blue cheese into the meat mixture. This version is instead stuffed with it, and so the blue cheese melts inside and does not brown 

Baked Curried Brie with Mango Chutney

Baked Curried Brie with Mango Chutney

Here is another favorite party food of mine that is super easy to prepare and always popular. I discovered this recipe years ago in a Junior League of Seattle cookbook, and I’ve made it countless times. It’s foolproof! 1 brie wheel, room temperature 2 Tbsp. 

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

When it comes to BBQ, North Carolina is known for a unique method of slow cooking pork that produces a tender, mouthwatering meat which is served simply with a large dollop of cole slaw upon a white bread bun. To nearly replicate an authentic taste, 

Simple Chickpea Salad With Lemon, Parmesan, and Herbs

Simple Chickpea Salad With Lemon, Parmesan, and Herbs

I discovered this versatile and flavor-packed recipe in a Bon Appétit magazine from last year. As a result I always keep a can of chickpeas in my pantry for a spontaneous salad based on what else I’ve got on hand. Try some variety, such as 

Shepherd’s Pie, American Style

Shepherd’s Pie, American Style

Shepherd’s Pie is an English dish, traditionally made with ground or diced lamb, hence the name. Americans usually make it with ground beef, which is actually called “cottage pie” by the English. However it’s known, Shepherd’s Pie is basically a layered casserole of cooked meat