Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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With the warmer days and the first flowers blooming, my mind has turned to planning some springtime entertaining. A decadent weekend brunch with friends, full of lively conversation, and hopefully a mimosa or two, is a favorite daytime option. Here, my recipe for a classic hollandaise sauce is poured over a seasonal variation of eggs benedict, featuring cured salmon and fresh asparagus in place of the Canadian bacon. Ingredients: For the Hollandaise: 4 egg yolks 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed...
For many, the first thing that comes to mind for Saint Patrick's Day menus is corned beef and cabbage. A delicious classic, it has certainly graced my table many times. However, when I think of Irish cuisine my mind always goes to the homey and hearty stews featuring beef or lamb. This fantastic stew has tender beef and carrots stewed with one of Ireland's most recognized exports, Guinness beer. Easy to assemble, this recipe only requires a little patience as it slowly simmers on the stovetop....
As spring green colors are finally popping up in our yard, I found myself craving tender green flavors. Rainbow chard braised with aromatics in stock and wine, is a favorite side dish that I love to prepare throughout the year. Here, the addition of potato gnocchi and sweet peas turns the braised greens into a delightful main course. For serving, a dollop of ricotta cheese adds a luscious creaminess, while fresh lemon zest and juice adds brightness. Ingredients: 4 tablespoon unsalted butter 3...
While I am certainly known for my love of cooking savory meat dishes, throughout the week much of my diet is centered around vibrant plant-based options. Incorporating more vegetarian meals in your routine is good both for your heart health, and perhaps more importantly, the health of the planet. Over the years I have gathered a diverse collection of meatless recipes that always satisfy without ever feeling like something is missing. This delightful chili, full of bright and spicy flavors, is ba...
Little bits of green are popping up in our flower beds, and the backyard birds have been very active as of late. The change of season is rapidly approaching. With that, nights have still been a little chilly and I continue to find myself craving soup. This homey Italian American classic, with little meatballs and greens in a light broth, is satisfying without being too heavy. For my version, I used ground turkey and brightened things up with the addition of fresh lemon. Ingredients: For the...
Some of the most popular and recognizable foods of Mexico fall into the category of small bites called antojitos, which can be found across the country sold in markets or from street vendors. Translated as "little cravings", these savory dishes, including tacos and chili rellenos, are often served as appetizers or as midday snacks. One of my favorites, taquitos or flautas, are tortillas rolled with flavorful fillings and fried crisp. Perfect served with an array of different salsas, guacamole...
While some pasta dishes can be quite complicated, such as a slow simmering Bolognese or an intricately layered lasagna, some of my favorite recipes are those composed of just a few ingredients that come together quickly. Here, flavor-packed Italian sausage and bright broccoli are simmered into a buttery sauce with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Satisfying after a long day of work, this easy, weeknight recipe can make a broccoli lover out of even the pickiest of eaters. Ingredients: 1 pound tube...
Over the years I have curated an eclectic collection of cookbooks. Dispersed between my tried-and-true classics (Julia Childs, The Silver Palate, and Alice Waters) and contemporary tomes full of artfully staged food photographs, I have many quirky, vintage cookbooks that are as entertaining as they are informative. Some of my favorites are recipe collections themed around the "modern" kitchen conveniences of generations past, such as "Mary Meade's Magic Recipes for the Electric Blender" from 195...
With this long stretch of below-freezing temperatures my soup pot has been getting a lot of use this past week. While I love slowly tending to a gently simmering pot of soup, sometimes I need a quicker turnaround. Lentils are my go-to quick cooking legume to bring a lot of big flavor to a recipe in under an hour. This nutrient-rich and comforting lentil soup is perfect on a dreary winter night after a long day at work. Ingredients: 6 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed 1 large onion,...
After an abnormally mild start to winter, frigid and snowy weather is finally on its way. In preparation I have been stocking up the pantry and pulling out my coziest recipes. This lovely one-pot dish has flavorful chicken thighs braised with nutrient-rich kale and cannellini white beans. Seasoned brightly with rosemary and lemon, the braising liquid fills the house with lovely aromas as the pot gently simmers. A wonderful way to warm up during the coming chill. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive...
After having baked and consumed countless cookie varieties over the years, I still consider a simple, buttery shortbread cookie to be my favorite. With the delicate balance between a tender crumb and a crisp bite, a perfect shortbread is unassumingly complex. Here chunks of bittersweet chocolate, crunchy pistachios and candied orange peel give an exciting twist to these delightful cookies. Lovely with a cup of tea after a big meal, or as part of large dessert buffet, these shortbread cookies...
With New Year's Eve approaching, another whirlwind season of winter holiday entertaining comes to an end. After all the formal sit-down feasts I love to keep things casual on NYE with a spread of fun finger foods. A varied selection of cured meats, imported cheeses, and interesting hors d'oeuvres keep guests fed while encouraging them to mingle. These elegant stuffed mushrooms, with fresh herbs and pine nuts, are always a crowd pleaser. A pinch of parmesan cheese baked on top gives them a...
With all the hustle and festivities of the winter holiday season in full swing, something as simple as a quiet night at home can feel like a luxury. Between the packed schedule of glittering engagements, it is important to allow time for warming up and recharging over a cozy meal. With tender root vegetables and bubbly cheese baked over delicately seasoned beef, this comforting recipe comes together in a single pan, perfect for an evening of unwinding from seasonal stress. Ingredients: 4 garlic...
In a season of sparkling extravagance, I have always felt that it is often the simplest gifts that can have the sweetest impact. A box of homemade cookies or candy from a neighbor or friend is always among my favorite parts of this time of year. It is always a delight when I am surprised by a new flavor, or a twist on a classic, in an assortment of holiday treats. These playful cookies have the chewy texture of the best fudgy brownie with a perfectly balanced zip of peppermint. The crushed...
In the period between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, I often find myself seeking lighter, vegetarian recipes to counter the season's decadent feasting. This flavorful chili, with walnuts, bulgur, and lentils, is as satisfying as it is full of nutrient-rich ingredients. A wonderful, and quick to prepare dish that is sure to impress your favorite vegetarian or vegan friends, though your omnivore friends will love it too. Also, this is a comforting and healthy recipe to have on hand when you...
As a young budding cook, one of the earliest staple recipes I mastered was perfecting my flakey pie crust. With just a few ingredients, mainly butter and flour, the key to a perfect batch is all about proper kitchen techniques, such as keeping your butter and water very cold, and not overworking the dough. Perfect for pies or tarts, I often double or quadruple the recipe to have extra discs of dough ready for the freezer. This week, I remembered I had an extra disc of dough leftover from last...
Sometimes, when researching for this column, I like to search through my vintage cookbook collection for inspiration. It can be amusing, and sometimes a little frightening, to imagine what home cooks were putting on the table 60 or 70 years ago: So much JELLO. However, there are some homey favorites that deserve a fresh look, like this recipe for tender Salisbury Steak, smothered in a rich mushroom gravy. While some may only imagine the compartments of TV dinner trays, this updated version...
In a flash another holiday season has arrived, the time of year where gatherings are increasingly centered around a warm kitchen. To prepare, I research and gather recipes throughout the year to add to my seasonal entertaining repertoire. Some of my favorites to collect are those for crowd-pleasing and unique appetizers. These English style sausage rolls, with plenty of savory herbal flavor, are perfect for dipping in a sweet and tart cranberry relish. Ingredients: For the relish: ½ can cranberr...
As with many famous Italian American recipes, the origins of Chicken Vesuvio are slightly shrouded in mystery. Named after Italy's infamous Mount Vesuvius, the dish shares many qualities to chicken preparations made around the Campania region for hundreds of years. Another possibility is that the recipe gets its name from Vesuvio, a famous restaurant in 1930s Chicago. Either way, it's clear to see why this homey dish of crispy roasted chicken and potatoes in a lemon laced white wine sauce has...
An abrupt change in the season arrived this past week and with it our first hard frost. Since then, all I have wanted to do is wear sweaters, listen to true-crime podcasts, and gently simmer things on the stove. Ah, fall. Braised in a rich wine broth spiced with cloves and fresh herbs, this tender beef stew is a perfect warm-up on a cold autumn night. Easy to prepare, this recipe is delightful both for a cozy family supper or an elegant dinner party to impress. Ingredients: 4 pounds lean,...
As the days have been getting shorter, and the mornings colder, my oven has been working overtime. Harvesting another beautiful pumpkin from our garden, and looking for some extra comfort this past weekend, I reviewed some quick-bread recipes from my files. Here walnuts, and plump, tart cranberries are folded into a perfectly spiced pumpkin bread. With the use of orange juice in the batter the resulting loaf is moist and brightly flavored. Perfect for a holiday brunch, or even dessert, this is...
This time of year, I often find myself craving the warm smell of a bubbling pot of homemade mole. A quintessential part of Mexican cuisine with pre-Columbian roots, mole is made in a spectrum of different colors, from black to bright green, with the most famous varieties coming from the states of Oaxaca and Puebla. In this recipe dried chilies are blended with sweet pumpkin and roasted peanuts to create a velvety rich sauce which is then smothered over tortillas rolled with melty cheese....
When it comes to satisfying casserole dinners, bubbling in the oven, few are as popular as lasagna. Over the years, I have collected many variations on this homey favorite, from vegetarian delights to meaty classics. While traditional red sauce is usually what comes to mind first, lasagna can also be layered with pesto, or as in this recipe, with a creamy white sauce. Filled with mushrooms, artichokes, and spinach, this lovely version is perfect for a cozy family meal, or for a memorable dinner...
To regular readers of my column, it is probably no secret that autumn is my favorite time of year. In anticipation of cooler weather, I have been pulling my cozy sweaters and flannels out of storage while thinking about simmering pots on the stovetop, or bubbling casseroles in the oven. Inspired by the continuing bumper crop of peppers from our garden, I found myself craving the comforting warmth found in a batch of white bean chili. Made with ground chicken and plenty of roasted green chilies,...
In my mind, the simple art of roasting a whole chicken is one of the most comforting and satisfying skills to practice in the kitchen. Getting the timing just right to develop crispy skin while the meat stays moist and tender, is a technique seasoned home chefs should be proud to show off. Over the years, I have gathered many recipe variations for roasted chicken, from the simple to the very complex. This lovely version has a bounty of autumnal flavors roasted in the pan with the chicken,...
