Green Tomatoes. Always make me think of the grocery store parking lot scene from Fried Green Tomatoes...when Kathy Bates goes ballistic on the fiery young girls...'member that scene?! So that totally almost happened to me in the grocery store parking lot. Except, not really. I was pulling out of a prime time parking space (front and center!) when 2 cars moved into … [Read more...]
Grilled Red Potato Salad
On the 4th of July, I had a bag of red potatoes and needed to make a "dairy-free" red potato for those of us who are not having dairy products these days, as well as a dairy-filled something or other. I made the Grilled Red Potatoes for the guys and me, and this for Steve and my MIL. It's a grilled spin-off of the Roasted Red Potato Salad that I made this … [Read more...]
How to Saute Summer Squash
Sautéing summer squash...it has never worked well for me. I mean, it works...but not perfectly. I recently figured out that if I partially steam it before sautéing it...the results are quite tasty! Here's how to saute summer squash! How to Saute Summer Squash Learn how to "steam and saute" summer squash to … [Read more...]
Grilled Red Potatoes
For our 4th of July party, my MIL said she would be bring steaks. (Yes, please.) Steaks rarely fit into the $5 Dinners budget, so I was ecstatic that she would be bringing some to grill. I thought I'd grill some red potatoes to go with the steaks...but I was concerned with how long it would take to grill them. I discovered a method that would work perfectly. Fire up the … [Read more...]
Eggplant Rosemary Focaccia Bread
How to Cook Eggplant Rosemary Focaccia Bread Turned out to be quite good...a little tough on the edges...but what a yummy combination of flavors! Get your ingredients ready. Thinly slice the eggplant. Sprinkle with salt to draw out bitter juices. Then rinse and pat dry. Chop the rosemary and crush the garlic. You'll use the garlic to … [Read more...]
Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice
So I looked out the kitchen window and noticed that the cilantro had almost reached the height of the child rabbit fence around my square foot gardening planters. I knew cilantro grew quickly, but didn't think it would really grow THAT quickly. Quick...how can I start using this up. And pronto!!! How about mixed into brown rice with some lime juice for a little extra … [Read more...]
How to Roast Asparagus
Learn the hacks for how to roast asparagus to perfection - and it'll be your new favorite side dish. I love asparagus. And I especially love it when it's on sale for $.99/lb. Because then I'll actually buy it! Hooray for saving money on produce. When it is on sale at that price (or close to it), I'll get enough for 2-3 meals that week. The … [Read more...]
Grilled Garlic Bread
So I have thing for rosemary. And another thing for chocolate. But have I told you about my thing for garlic and garlic bread??? This thing might be greater than the other things. I *big huge puffy heart* garlic. I *pumping heart emoticon* garlic. And garlic bread, well...I could eat piece after piece. Loaf after loaf. But now grilled garlic bread...I think … [Read more...]
Roasted Red Potato Salad
Rosemary. I have a little thing for rosemary. But my little thing might be bigger than I thought. I think I have a BIG thing for rosemary. Perhaps it's my favorite herb. (Don't tell basil that, mkay?!?) I had some rosemary in the garden this past summer. But I was so busy using up all the tomatoes and green beans, squash and peppers that, sadly, I did not bring my rosemary … [Read more...]
Black Bean Soup
We had the pleasure of eating at Panera a few times in December and through the holidays with family and friends. I kept ordering their Black Bean Soup. Perhaps because it warmed my tummy. Perhaps because it went great with a salad. But something was amiss. I loved the consistency, the warmth, but it lacked ZEST. I *big puffy heart* Panera. I do. But I prefer a … [Read more...]