Appetizer/Side Dish

Thumbnail image for Shrimp and Pork Dumplings

Shrimp and Pork Dumplings

10 comments April 4, 2013

You know how all couples have their “thing” that they do? Read the Sunday paper together, leave each other love notes, build jigsaw puzzles… Paul and I share a big [...]

Thumbnail image for Kicked-up Shrimp Canapes

Kicked-up Shrimp Canapes

5 comments January 30, 2013

“Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. There’s coldwater shrimp, warmwater shrimp, and freshwater shrimp. And of course, fresh shrimp. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, [...]

Thumbnail image for Crock Pot Apple Kielbasa Bites

Crock Pot Apple Kielbasa Bites

13 comments January 21, 2013

We spent the day in San Francisco yesterday; took the kids to the aquarium, Pier 39, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Ate. And ate some more. And watched all the odd people. [...]

Thumbnail image for Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar

4 comments January 14, 2013

Winter foods are so comforting. But they also tend to be heavy. They make me sleeeeepy. I’m really trying to get my portion control in check, and also eat lighter. [...]

Thumbnail image for Sweet Potato Casserole Bites

Sweet Potato Casserole Bites

9 comments November 16, 2012

How can anyone not like yams or sweet potatoes? (And in case you’re wondering what the difference is, you can head over to Wikipedia to read all about how they’re [...]

Thumbnail image for Mini Corn Cake Muffins

Mini Corn Cake Muffins

7 comments November 14, 2012

Corn bread is like a house divided. Half the nation declares it shouldn’t be anything other than savory, while the other half desperately wants it to taste like birthday cake. 

Thumbnail image for Spicy Lemon Date Spread

Spicy Lemon Date Spread

5 comments November 12, 2012

Seems like most people know how to cook their Thanksgiving turkey; what brine to use, how to stuff it, etc. And they are usually pretty committed to certain sides – [...]

Thumbnail image for Classic Popovers

Classic Popovers

18 comments November 8, 2012

My whole life I thought Popovers were a Jewish thing – none of my friends’ parents ever made them, and they always seemed to be synonymous with New York city [...]

Thumbnail image for Broiled Avocado with Cayenne, Lime, and Parmesan

Broiled Avocado with Cayenne, Lime, and Parmesan

10 comments October 4, 2012

You know it’s hot when you walk outside and there is a sea of dead worms on your sidewalk. Everyone is still watering their lawns here, so the worms escape [...]

Thumbnail image for Toasted Orzo and Chickpea Salad for Jenna’s Virtual Baby Shower

Toasted Orzo and Chickpea Salad for Jenna’s Virtual Baby Shower

22 comments September 4, 2012

The world can always use more girl power, so I’m excited that my friend Jenna from Jenna’s Everything Blog will be helping out with that. She and her husband are [...]

Thumbnail image for Easy Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

Easy Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

8 comments August 2, 2012

You all know I’m not a bread maker. A baker, yes. A bread maker, no. My last attempt working with yeast was over two years ago (and that even took [...]

Thumbnail image for Cumin-Lime Chickpea Salad

Cumin-Lime Chickpea Salad

11 comments July 26, 2012

It’s so hard to believe that once upon a crazy time I didn’t like chickpeas, because now my pantry is stocked with them. Love, love, and love. Hell, I even [...]

Thumbnail image for Ratatouille and a Tribute to Julia Child

Ratatouille and a Tribute to Julia Child

12 comments July 23, 2012

Seems like every month there is some cooking contest going on for food bloggers. I always decline – I can’t handle the time constraints and pressure of the deadlines. But [...]

Thumbnail image for Pineapple and Coconut Rice

Pineapple and Coconut Rice

6 comments June 26, 2012

My friend Alicia mentioned making pineapple rice the other day. I was immediately intrigued and went Googling. I found several, but this one seemed to do it for me, for [...]

Thumbnail image for Tomato and Basil Tart

Tomato and Basil Tart

8 comments June 14, 2012

“Schoooooool’s out…for summmah!” (Man, remember when parents thought Alice Cooper was dangerous? A bad influence? Pffft. Today, he’d be considered an angel.) Anyhoodle… it’s officially summer break for us. And [...]

Thumbnail image for Roasted Grapes with Thyme, Fresh Ricotta, & Grilled Bread

Roasted Grapes with Thyme, Fresh Ricotta, & Grilled Bread

11 comments April 20, 2012

You saved your leftover 1/2 cup ricotta from Tuesday, right? No? It was just too good not to finish up, huh? I understand. Well, make some more! You must. Because [...]

Thumbnail image for Spiced Raisin Pearl Couscous

Spiced Raisin Pearl Couscous

17 comments April 10, 2012

Last week, I did something unprecedented. Mind blowing. Shocking. Life changing. I walked into a Trader Joe’s for the very first time.

Thumbnail image for Olive Cheese Bread

Olive Cheese Bread

13 comments April 5, 2012

Olives will forever remind me of when Jen and I were kids; our relatives would come up for the holidays and my mom always put out a bowl of whole [...]

Thumbnail image for Mini Fish Tacos

Mini Fish Tacos

20 comments February 23, 2012

First time I ever heard about fish tacos I was 18 years old, down in San Diego with some friends…and I thought “ew.” But we went out to dinner and [...]

Thumbnail image for Dill Pickle Dip

Dill Pickle Dip

20 comments February 21, 2012

We’re big subscribers to dill pickled food – dill pickle potato chips, dill pickle cashews, dill yogurt, dill flavored cream cheese…and of course, dill pickles in their natural form. We [...]

Thumbnail image for Baked Chicken Taquitos

Baked Chicken Taquitos

28 comments January 31, 2012

I say who needs the Superbowl as an excuse to do away with forks and spoons…I have enough snacks bookmarked to last me an entire year. I can’t keep up! [...]