A winter walk in the woods

Who ever said that the winter was dreary? Oh yeah. I did. Where I live the winter really does linger on into the time that rightly belongs to the spring. The gray days seem to stretch on without end. Today I went for a walk in the woods, and while it was sunny before I …

Broccoli rabe frittata with garlic butter

Anyone else really like broccoli rabe? It makes a great addition to an omelette or frittata. Here's an easy broccoli rabe frittata recipe: enjoy! 4 cups chopped broccoli rabe1 clove garlic2-3 Tbsp buttersalt, to taste1/4 tsp ground black peppersplash of water or broth4 jumbo or 5 large eggs Stove temp: medium / medium-low Wash the …

Simple Florence fennel and tomato salad

Fennel has a delicate, aromatic flavor that works really well with tart tomatoes and apple cider vinegar. This recipe is incredibly easy to put together. But, don't let its simplicity deceive you: it's a truly special dish and makes a light, healthy, and flavorful side. Equal parts: Florence fennel (finocchio) Equal parts: tomato (I used …

Spiced orange carrots with reduced balsamic drizzle

Carrots are good. Can't they feel a bit ordinary at times, though? Here's a fun carrot recipe to spice things up a little. 3 medium carrots2 Tbsp butter1/2 cup + 3 Tbsp fresh orange juice1/8 tsp cinnamondash clovessalt, to taste1/8 cup balsamic vinegar"glug" maple syrup (about 2 tsp, or so) Cut the carrots into batonnet …

Classic chicken roast: just like Grandma’s Sunday dinner

Baking a whole chicken is not something I do often. Believe it or not, it is actually cheaper to buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store than it is to buy a whole uncooked chicken, generally. How is that even possible? Here's the only conclusion that makes sense to me: the store must price …

The myth of the perfect mom

Perhaps because raising a child is so all-encompassing and life-changing, the pressure to do it “perfectly” feels equally intense. Being a mom is such an incredible experience. You simply cannot imagine what it will be like until you’ve lived it. At times the rewards of being a mom can feel so much greater than expected, …

Chicken drumsticks with warm spice – mandarin orange sauce

6 chicken legs (drumsticks)2 cloves garlic2 shallots1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil1 Tbsp butter1/2 tsp cinnamon1/4 tsp nutmeg (freshly grated)1/4 tsp allspice about 1/2 cup watersalt, to tastejuice from 1-2 mandarin orangesparsley garnish Cut the shallots into small sections, and slice the garlic cloves in half. Place them in a skillet or frying pan together …

Sauteed beet greens with lemon: Super good, super easy, super food

Beets are a vegetable that seem to either be loved or hated. I happen to love them, but I don't think you need to be a beet lover to like beet greens. They are great as tender shoots in a salad, or delicious sauteed as a cooked vegetable. Here's my take on an easy, healthy, …

Melt-in-your-mouth meatballs seasoned with garlic, lemon, and parsley

These meatballs are amazing! This is an adaptation of a recipe I learned from a French lady years ago. I hope you enjoy it. Ingredients 1 1/4 lb ground beef1/2 cup oatmeal ("quick oats")1/3 cup milk (of choice, I used unsweetened almond)1/2 medium onion, diced small2 large cloves garlic, diced small5-6 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped1/2 …

Roasted cauliflower with lemon, garlic, and fresh dill

We had a head of cauliflower in the house that was just calling out to me to be cooked. It lent itself perfectly to this nice roasted cauliflower recipe that I put together. The garlic gives it tons of flavor and the lemon adds a nice, tangy zing. The fresh dill builds the flavor even …