Sometimes life calls for the perfect casserole. I have officially entered the loaves and fishes stage of parenthood. Feeding my brood of teens {and their friends!} requires a miracle most days. They're a hungry lot, these precious Littles -- who are now 14, 13, 12, and 7. So, I've searched the world over for teen-friendly family meals that meet their needs -- delicious, and mine -- easy. The result? Le Casserole! When you need to ...
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
"Get down from that tree! We don't have time for a trip to the ER today!" I holler my no-time-for-contingencies mantra a dozen times a week. Maybe more. Of course I don't mind the Littles climbing the magnolia tree—it's truly the best climbing tree around. It's when they scurry past the two-story roof line on days with no margin for the unexpected that I cringe. This week, it's me with the ain't-nobody-got-time-for-that dilemma. I ...
Caramelized Winter Squash with Lemon-Rosemary Topping
Doesn't this recipe sound ridiculously delicious? The first hint of fall has me reading cookbooks and scouring magazines for new concoctions to whip up in the kitchen. I found this gem in a favorite cookbook called How to Pick A Peach: The Search for Flavor from Farm to Table. I've never posted a recipe I haven't tried before, but reading this one just makes my mouth water. I know it'll be a hit. We are big fans of squash—here a few ...
Roasted Chicken with Apples & Shallots
The Truth about Fairies Fairies exist. I know this because I have four children who have lost SEVENTY teeth and we are still counting. I finally gave the Tooth Fairy the alarm code and admonished her to keep her shenanigans to a dull roar. I am certain; however, magical, winged pixies exist because I have a personal Flower Fairy. She's a seasonal fairy with an eye for beauty and a generous heart. Every so often the Flower Fairy ...
Easy Homemade Tomato & Basil Soup
It's still blazing hot here in Austin. Way too hot to be thinking about soup. But, I had these beautiful summer tomatoes and two handfuls of fresh basil. What's a girl to do? Make soup and crank the air conditioner. When the Littles were still little, they had a funny way of finishing off our soup. They would raise their bowls with the last sip of soup to their lips and tilt their heads back to get every last drop with a gigantic ...
Summer Squash Frittata
My friend Lulu is one of the best cooks this side of, well, heaven. She's got a knack for all things food related and can turn simple ingredients into masterpieces. More than the food she serves, though, her kitchen embodies the meaning of home. We've spent countless hours, with Littles spanning all ages, at barstools pulled up to her center island sipping hot chocolate, testing out-of-this-world recipes, decorating gingerbread houses, ...
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 ...
Chicken Marbella
My friend Claire is known throughout the village, and quite possibly the entire land, for her Chicken Marbella recipe. Claire is the kind of friend who shows up at three o'clock in the afternoon with a bottle of champagne and a pint of pomegranate seeds declaring, "we need to catch up." Clearly the world needs more people like Claire. I met with a group of claire-esque women this week, The Bible Babes. When a group dubs ...
Balsamic strawberries
Strawberries + balsamic vinegar = YUM Two ingredients. Two delicious dishes. Talk about a twofer! When Susie suggested a yummy soda pop pork recipe, I knew simple berries would be the perfect addition for a light springtime supper. And guess what? Balsamic strawberries are equally delicious for a salad AND dessert. Balsamic Strawberries Slice 3 cups of strawberries. In a small bowl, drizzle berries with 1-2 tablespoons of ...
The Austin Food Blogger Alliance Community Cookbook
Community cookbooks line my kitchen shelves. Stories told in carefully measured portions make delightful feasts. Reading the yellowed pages of my grandmother's Trinity Methodist Church cookbook transports me to suppers served at her oval, oak kitchen table in Hutchison, Kansas. Flipping through my collection of junior league cookbooks I imagine generations of women telling stories and passing down recipes seasoned with ...