If you have read this column for any length of time, you know that I am, in no way, a gardener. Despite that, I still follow a Kansas gardening group on Facebook, and I love seeing the posts of beautiful gardens, weird plants and bugs that show up in people’s yards and discussions about how …
Continue reading “Pepper recipes abound for whatever might pop up”
I know that most of the recipes I share with you in this space are “sometimes” foods. From pasta-laden, full-fat casseroles swimming in cheese to decadent desserts with more sugar than a bag of Pixy Stix, I know the temptation is real. But we all need some recipes that look and sound a bit sinful …
Continue reading “Lighten up and try a new lasagna recipe this week”
When I began writing this column over 10 years ago, I had grand illusions of people sending me their favorite recipes and me trying them. What I found was that people are normally pretty guarded with their best dishes, and even more so, everyone wanted me to tell them something new to try instead of …
Continue reading “Say ‘oui’ to this yummy overnight breakfast casserole”
“What makes them Mexican potatoes?” a friend asked as he scooped my latest food experiment onto his paper plate in our backyard. “I think it’s just the spices that put it in that category,” I told him. He looked at me quizzically and only grabbed a few. But after finishing off that first spoonful and …
Continue reading “You have my ‘parmesan’ to treat yourself to potatoes this weekend”
I am often lost when it comes to buying preserves, jams, jellies, etc. I know there are differences, but for some reason, my brain can’t seem to keep it all straight. If you ever see me at a store, staring at my phone in front of a shelf of spreads, you’ll know exactly what I’m …
Continue reading “Preserve your time with a quick strawberry bar”
I was so glad this week that the smoke detector in my kitchen isn’t particularly sensitive. As I sauteed thin slices of steak on my stovetop, the room filled with a fine smoke that my exhaust fan just couldn’t keep up with. I am normally really nervous about cooking anything on high heat. I think …
Continue reading “Make a great Asian dish like you’ve never had ‘beef’ore”
I was remarking to some friends the other day about how Joey and I are complete opposites when it comes to socializing. As an extroverted social butterfly, Joey draws his energy from being around people and generally loves a crowd. For me, while I love to socialize, I tend to be reenergized by some alone …
Continue reading “Don’t crumble under hosting pressure; make a quick and easy dessert”
I don’t know about you, but I find myself searching the Internet every summer for new side dishes to take to barbecues. Joey is really, really not a mayonnaise fan, so the traditional offerings like potato salad and coleslaw are mostly out of the question. But then you also have the problem of how to …
Continue reading “Flex your cooking ‘Brussels’ with a new summer side dish”
I have to confess that I have never been much of a cyclist. I finally learned how to ride a bike—mostly because I was embarrassed that my younger sister was (literally) riding circles around me. We would go out riding occasionally, and I rode a bit when I was in college, but it has never …
Continue reading “Put a little pep in your pasta with veggies and feta”
I have made a lot of dishes over the years that are extremely recognizable to many Midwesterners. From cornbread and biscuits to casseroles and pies, I haven’t made too many recipes that scared folks off. This week, though, I’m afraid that I may have upped the fear factor for some of you who aren’t overly …
Continue reading “‘Eggs’plore a new treat with Mayak Gyeran”
