A few weeks ago I had the honor of judging a Cooking with Maple Syrup contest at the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY. The winning entry was a maple-glazed chicken that I’ll share another time. Today I want to focus on an ingredient that made that dish stand out. The chicken recipe … Read more

I remember the first time I heard about making dulce de leche by cooking a sealed can of sweetened condensed milk in simmering water. You’ve likely heard the trick: leave the can unopened, keep it submerged, and simmer for several hours until the milk transforms into a rich caramel. I had to try it and … Read more

I steadfastly avoid complicating food unless there’s a very good reason, and this Simple Mushroom Kale Pasta with Pancetta proves why. As the name suggests, the dish relies on simple, fresh ingredients and straightforward technique to deliver a balanced, comforting, earthy, and satisfying pasta ready in about 30 minutes. Simple Mushroom Kale Pasta with Pancetta … Read more

Love these Korean Style Teriyaki Beef Lettuce Wraps? Check out our other fabulous Korean food recipes! A few months ago I was contacted by Back To The Roots, a company that sells grow-your-own oyster mushroom kits that use composted coffee grounds. Before I finished reading their email I impulsively replied with something like, “Yes! I … Read more

Updated post: Growth is fun, isn’t it? Scroll to the bottom to see the original photos. I meant to share this recipe earlier, but life intervened: my five children all had a 24-hour stomach bug. Thankfully they’re recovered, the sun is shining, and the yard is full of laughter again. So let’s get to the … Read more

Nothing says late spring or summer like a Grilled Chicken Melt with pesto and sun‑dried tomato spread. Juicy grilled chicken thighs piled with melted fresh mozzarella, bright pesto, and tangy sun‑dried tomato spread on a toasted ciabatta roll is a warm‑weather dream. This Grilled Chicken Melt with Pesto and Sun‑Dried Tomato Spread is as beautiful … Read more

Korean Army Stew—also called Spicy Sausage Stew or Budae Jjigae—is a beloved, comforting, and satisfyingly hearty one-pot dish. This fusion stew combines a rich, spicy kimchi broth with ground meat, smoked sausage, processed additions like Spam, an assortment of vegetables, and noodles for a warming meal that’s easy to adapt and impossible not to enjoy. … Read more

I’m happy to share that Hass Avocado Board sponsored this post and asked me to create a family-friendly recipe using nutrient-dense Hass avocados. The recipe, photos, and opinions are my own. I don’t usually stray far from classic guacamole — ripe avocados with lime (or lemon), salt, garlic, and sometimes cilantro and onion — because … Read more

I’d like to show you how I usually dress. I’m serious — I like to be covered up. I don’t mind form-fitting clothes, but I try not to flash a lot of skin. Call it modesty and a healthy fear of sunburn. Mostly modesty, but I’m also very pale, so the sunburn part isn’t a … Read more

I want to give you all a gift. It’s that time of year, after all. Taste, aroma, texture, and thrift — this gift has it all. As a big thank you for keeping me company on the wide world of the internet this past year, here’s a small present: Leftover pizza. Yes, really. It’s more … Read more