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Category: Food – Recipes

Charcuterie:  An Easy Dinner Option (That’s Also Very Trendy)

Charcuterie:  An Easy Dinner Option (That’s Also Very Trendy)

On a hot summer night, sometimes the last thing anyone wants to do is turn on the grill or oven and prepare dinner for the family.  These days, there’s another option that is quick, easy, and can also be creative and fun. Charcuterie. Whoa, slow down there, Maurice.  I’m not eating any weird pig’s stomach or cast-off chicken parts. Not to worry.  While “charcuterie” is a French word (which actually deals with the art and science of preserving meats), the…

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The Thanksgiving Feast:  Cooking that Bird

The Thanksgiving Feast:  Cooking that Bird

More than any other holiday meal, you know what’s on the menu for the Thanksgiving feast. Turkey.  It’s what’s for dinner. For those of you with some experience with this kitchen event, you’ll know that cooking a Thanksgiving turkey is not for the faint of heart.  It’s a tough meal to nail, not only from the timing of all of those sides, but for cooking the bird itself, and there are as many ways to cook that holiday fowl as…

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Summer Cocktails:  Fun In The Sun

Summer Cocktails:  Fun In The Sun

The heat of summer has me longing for the shade of my front porch, where I can leisurely sit in the evenings with a good book or just watch the world go by.  There’s also nothing better than sipping on a summer cocktail whilst I enjoy a good parch sit, but what to drink?  I’ve seen plenty of videos and tik-toks on summer drink hacks that look fun, refreshing, and tasty.  Here’s a sample of a few that you might…

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The Thanksgiving Turkey – An Annual Challenge

The Thanksgiving Turkey – An Annual Challenge

For home cooks all over the country, the most important meal of the year is just three weeks away.  Sure, Mom, Dad, or Grandma can occasionally burn a pizza, undercook some vegetables, or even hammer that fish in the oven from time to time and all will be quickly forgotten – but screw up the Thanksgiving Day turkey?  The family will talk about and remember that indiscretion for years to come. That’s a lot of pressure on the host, and…

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Cookbook Review: “The Dinner Plan”

Cookbook Review: “The Dinner Plan”

I’m always on the lookout for recipes and ideas that are quick, easy, and delicious.  Being a busy family of four with two teenagers means that we’re often going in several different directions on weeknights – and it’s often more the rule than the exception.  Whether it’s band practice, poetry readings, or piano lessons, it can be a challenge to find the time to sit down and have a meal together – but we try our best.  We recently checked…

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Homemade Chili: A ‘Touchdown’ for the Big Game

Homemade Chili: A ‘Touchdown’ for the Big Game

On Monday, I talked about how to create crispy wings at home (click here for that article).  Today, I’ll address another Super Sunday favorite – chili. I know, I know – there are as many chili recipes out there as there are football fans (and that’s a good thing).  It can be made with turkey instead of beef, mild or with a hot kick, and with beans or without.  The main thing is to eat what you like.  That being…

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Chicken Wings: The Classic Snack is Easy to Do At Home

Chicken Wings: The Classic Snack is Easy to Do At Home

The Superbowl is coming up this week, and there’s no better excuse to prepare a big batch of delicious, crispy, chicken wings to snack on while watching the big game.  While many folks will buy frozen, pre-made wings to heat up at home or put in a call for take-out ones from their favorite restaurant, good chicken wings are not hard to do on your own.  Added bonus?  They’re much cheaper than buying them out and can be tailored to…

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Homemade Vegetable Soup: Warm Comfort Food for Chilly Evenings

Homemade Vegetable Soup: Warm Comfort Food for Chilly Evenings

October is finally bringing cooler weather to the four-state area, and on these frosty nights, there is nothing better than a nice bowl of hot and delicious homemade vegetable soup to warm up a hungry family. Now I know what you’re going to say – there are as many ways to make vegetable soup as there are stars in the sky.  You’re right.  Everyone has their own family recipe – and that’s fine.  The point is that you take the…

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Grilled Pork Tenderloin: A Quick and Easy Fall Meal

Grilled Pork Tenderloin: A Quick and Easy Fall Meal

Let’s get one thing straight.  I love my gas grill.  I use it all the time, no matter what the weather or what month the calendar says.  One of the meats I prepare that seems to be indicative of the fall season is pork tenderloin.  Not only is tenderloin a very lean cut of meat, but you can also marinade it or cover it with almost any flavor of rub.  Whatever your taste buds are in the mood for, the…

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Roasted Vegetables: ‘Tis The Season

Roasted Vegetables: ‘Tis The Season

Now that the summer weather has officially “broken” into cooler fall temperatures, there are many seasonal things I look forward to at this time of year, like sleeping with the windows open to catch the cool night air, listening to the leaves crunch under my feet as I walk, sweatshirts, and in the kitchen – roasted vegetables. Almost any vegetable will do (although “root” vegetables work best), and it’s so easy.  First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Chop up…

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