"Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese" ~ G.K. Chesterton I'm always on the look out for yummy 'tizers. Especially this time of year when friends are stopping by or I need a quick little something to take to a party. I have no idea where this recipe came from, but it's scribbled on one of my mother's old notepads. Chances are I was sitting in her kitchen flipping through magazines and copied this one down. It ...
Baked Artichoke Nibbles
Just a little nibble. I need a little something for my mouth. My mother and I can justify almost anything... especially late afternoon. Or with a glass of wine. One day, many moons ago, we were sight-seeing in Paris. We weaved in and out winding, narrow streets in Montmartre and up the funicular to Sacré-Cœur. Across from the famous basilica a charming bistro with red awnings and woven rusk chairs beckoned us to come sit and rest. ...
Spicy Caramel Popcorn
Thursday mornings in July, I drive along the banks of The Big Thompson River down to the town square in Estes Park to the Farmer's Market. Strolling through the tent-lined square with my arm draped through my basket, I tug my sweater tight across my chest to ward off the chill. I chuckle at the notion of needing a sweater in July and make a mental note to remember this moment in October back in Texas. The first vendor I visit is ...
Shrimp with Mango & Avocado Salsa
We officially kicked off summer last week. Slower mornings, later evenings. Suppers by the pool. It's all dreamy. . . except for my people are particularly needy when it comes to food. Last Friday, I fed eleven children at some point during the day. That's a lot of watermelon, lemonade, and chips & dip. The boys headed to the coast to for a bit o fishin' this week leaving us four girls to manage somehow. It's bare basics for supper ...
Apricot & Smoked Mozzarella Tarts
A Stop In, Pop In Home Years ago, when the Littles were still little, I received an invitation in the mail that has stuck with me ever since. Sent in the mail, before Evite and Facebook, this festive invitation was for a Christmas jewelry show hosted by friends. The whimsical font announced it was a Stop In, Pop In party and I thought it was the most welcoming invite ever. Friends were encouraged to drop by when it was convenient and ...
31 Days: Hot Onion Souffle
One of my favorite essays on food and faith is The Heavenly Onion by Robert Farrar Capon. I first read the famous excerpt from Capon's book The Supper of the Lamb, years ago. But, recently at the Laity Lodge Food Retreat, I had the opportunity to actually spend time with an onion à la Capon. "Admittedly, spending an hour in the society of an onion may be something you have never done before... Onions are excellent company." Robert ...
Top 3 Chicken Wing Recipes: BBQ, Buffalo, and Sweet & Sour
In case you missed it Sunday is the Super Bowl. I don't know about you, but I can hang all Fall with middle school, high school, and college football. But the Super Bowl? As we say in Texas, I don't have a dog in this hunt. Our soon-to-be teenager son is pretty much singularly focused on football. Which is infinitely better than say being singularly focused on girls. We are biding our time on that one. When he asked if he could ...
The Best Black-Eyed Pea Recipe
Kitchens throughout the south, and elsewhere I suppose, will feature black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Long associated with bringing good luck for the coming year, black-eyed peas are a culinary must on January 1st. I've choked back one or two symbolic peas for as long as I remember on the first day of each new year. I'm not really a black-eyed pea fan, to tell you the truth. That is until I came across this gem of a recipe a few years ...
Bacon Wrapped Dates
My Monday morning gift to you, friends. Because everyone knows bacon is the best way to say I love you. And, the dates? Well they cheer have a good week. I wish I could make enough bacon wrapped dates to feed you all. Promise you'll try these delicious bites for an appetizer or decadent snack. Feel free to embellish by filling the center of the dates with whatever strikes your fancy. We are quite fond of adding blue cheese, ...
Sauteed Medjool Dates
Mia and Popa are currently living it up in the Pacific Northwest. About every 2 hours, Mia sends a text with a photo update of all the wonderful sites and tastes from their vacation. On Friday afternoon, she sent a photo of an appetizer they were enjoying at the time. The text said: Dates, EVOO, Sea Salt. Try to create this. Being the obedient daughter that I am, I recreated the dish. Immediately. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I ...