Mr. Picky and I had the most glorious week on Long Island visiting my parents. My sisters and their kids came to be with us too, so it was quite a full house. It kind of felt like summer camp with lots of old fashioned fun outdoors from morning til dusk except for the brief break to watch a few ...
Kale Pesto Recipe
When I was a child, my family ate pesto all the time in the summer and early fall. In fact, to me the smell of basil, garlic and cheese in the food processor is synonymous with warm, lazy days at the beach or on my parents' hammock under a big, breezy tree. It was one of the few things my mom made ...
Homemade Marinara (Tomato) Sauce Recipe
Growing up in an Italian home meant never eating tomato sauce out of a jar. Ever. It wasn't until a 6th grade girl scout camping trip when I tasted my first spaghetti and "Ragu" and it was an experience I would never forget. Unfortunately, I proceeded to get completely sick after I ate the ...
Green Goddess Salad
I just spent a lovely four days in Park City, Utah enjoying the clean air and the peace and quiet (outdoors, of course; indoors I have my three kids and two of their friends, so no peace and quiet in the house from noon 'til midnight.) There are no televisions and I insist that the kids leave the ...
Zucchini “pasta” recipe
We're in pasta mode this week, but transitioning to zucchini mode, so I couldn't help but post a recipe which covers both. In the low-carb craze of the 90's (although I'm not sure it's over), I was intrigued by the idea of using things like zucchini and spaghetti squash in place of pasta. "With ...
Pasta alla checca recipe
When people tell me they don't know how to cook, I know what they really mean. They mean to say they don't know how to cook well off the fly or they don't have a deep repertoire of dishes that they can prepare with ease. I say if you can read, you can cook. Furthermore, most people can cook ...
Chickpea and deconstructed pesto salad
Summer around my house is very loosey-goosey. We lack a bit of structure when school is not in session. On any given night, it varies who will be here for dinner and I often find myself cooking for either just two people or for an army. This can be tricky for me since I make my menu for the week ...
Corn and edamame succotash
This house sure is quiet. The girls are still in Connecticut and Mr. Picky is off at the batting cage for a little bit with his dad. I don't think I've been alone in my house in a year. Or more. It's sooooooooo nice. Don't get me wrong. I adore my kids and my husband, but solitude is a ...
Basil Parsley Pesto Recipe
I am willing to bet that I have eaten more pesto in my life than all of you. Let me give you a little background. My father has an expert green thumb and has maintained amazing gardens throughout my life. Every year, he plants one large plot with a wide variety of beautiful vegetables, ...