Simple Kale Frittata

This week has been a doozy. Nothing simple about it. Just a bunch of complicated things I wish I didn’t have to think about. Do you ever have weeks like that? Suffice it to say, I was in the mood for a simple dinner tonight to help me relax before it all starts up again this week. And this Simple Kale Frittata was just the thing. Kale has become one of my favorite foods.  I […]

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Arugula Salad with Blackberries and Chevre with Blackberry-Thyme Vinaigrette

Yesterday for lunch, with the help of my daughter, I made this gorgeous Arugula Salad with Blackberries and Chevre with Blackberry-Thyme Vinaigrette.  I get pretty excited about salad.  If you follow me on Instagram or Pinterest, you’ve probably noticed. :) As I’m typing this, I’m watching the branches from the large tree in my front yard sway in the breeze. The leaves are just barely emerging from the buds.  The trees are very old–60+ years.  […]

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Layered Greek-Style Chickpea Salad Recipe with Oregano Vinaigrette

As promised, the recipe for the Layered Greek-Style Chickpea Salad.  Truly, I haven’t met a chickpea salad I haven’t loved.  But this one is the best I’ve ever made.  I attribute that to all the goodies layered in the bowl with the chickpeas. Aren’t the layers pretty?  It makes it look a little more special, and my kids thought that was pretty fun. Now can we talk about this dressing?  Wowzers!  It’s so simple and […]

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Shaved Fennel Salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano and Balsamico

Fennel is in season right now and with it, my love affair continues.  I just can’t seem to get enough of the crisp, fresh, anise-y flavor.  I crave it. Months ago, my friend Adri told me about a traditional Italian salad that I have since made over and over and will never tire of making. In the late fall as my garden was winding down, there were a few small, sweet fennel bulbs ready to […]

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How To: Slow Cooker Black Beans

An easy recipe for making the best slow cooker black beans you’ll ever taste! I’ve been told I make the best slow cooker black beans ever, but I can’t take all the credit. When we were still dating, my husband taught me how his family made Brazilian-style black beans when he was growing up.  His aunt showed me how to make black beans in the slow cooker.  Before that, I thought beans had to cook […]

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Leek and Root Vegetable Gratin

Thanksgiving is over and I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when I’ve finally finished the dishes.  I didn’t quite get to all of the side dishes I wanted to make.  Instead, I’ll make them throughout the next week or so.  I have all of the ingredients after all. I started first with this Leek and Root Vegetable Gratin. This was one thing I’d been dreaming about for days and days.  Truth be told, […]

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Kale, Dried Porcini Mushroom and Pine Nut Stuffing Recipe

I promised you recipes for Thanksgiving and I’m going to make good on that promise! First up, a tasty Kale, Dried Porcini and Pine Nut Stuffing recipe that I think you’ll love. I started saving bread for stuffing months ago.  I don’t like to use fluffy white or faux-wheat bread that come in long, square loaves in uniform slices perfectly lined up in twisty-tied plastic bags.  No.  That won’t do for stuffing.  You’ve got to […]

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Cider-Mustard Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables

We’ve entered my favorite time of year.  Halloween is over.  Let the Thanksgiving baking, roasting, cooking begin!  Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some great recipes to help get you in the mood for the holiday season. I confess I’m boring.  I really love roasted veggies.  So much, in fact, that I hardly do anything else with them.  And while doing the same thing all of the time can get boring, I never […]

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Winter Squash Stuffed with Quinoa, Kale and Pecans

I was excited to receive Black Forest squash in my CSA this week.  It’s not one that I have tried, as far as I know.  And it’s delicious!  Being the same size as a small pumpkin, I thought it would be perfect for stuffing. I made winter squash stuffed with quinoa, kale, and pecans. Are you as happy to say hello to Winter and Fall veggies as I am? :)

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Belgian Endive Ham Au Gratin

Belgian Endive Ham Au Gratin

I love autumn so much. I think that’s the sentiment of everyone right now. This year I almost wasn’t ready to let summer go, but now the leaves have turned. The air has a definite chill in it. We started sleeping with the down comforter plus an extra blanket a few nights ago. This afternoon I’ll pack the kids and some food into the car and we’ll head up the canyon to my husband’s aunt’s family […]

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