Antidote to a Spring Storm

Mediterranean Chickpea Stew It’s April and spring is “in the air,” however on days like this one it means torrential rain and wind. I suggest this comfort-food antidote – Mediterranean Chickpea Stew. The ingredients that wrap flavor around the chickpeas will whisk you to a sunnier Mediterranean land – fresh rosemary, garlic, tomatoes and meaty […]

St. Patrick’s Day Food – Irish and American

Irish Soda Bread with Figs and Oats I don’t like corned beef. My excuse for not serving it on St. Patrick’s Day is that it’s not really an Irish dish, although it may be served to tourists visiting Ireland. Corned beef was an Irish-American substitute for Ireland’s bacon and cabbage (1). I do like Irish […]

February is American Heart Month

Parchment-Baked Chicken with Caramelized Onions and California Figs Good nutrition is key to the prevention of heart disease, which remains the top cause of death in the United States (1).  Want to learn more? Check your knowledge of heart disease with the Center for Disease Control Quiz (2). Assess your risk by taking the My […]

Move Over Guac

Mediterranean Nachos It’s not that I don’t like guacamole, or bean dip, or hummus. It’s just that these common party snacks are just that – common. Bring something new to the Super Bowl table on February 5, or anytime you have an event that calls for munchies.  Mediterranean Nachos is a dish that’s different enough […]

Best App for 2016

No – it’s not an app for your phone, this is my go-to appetizer for holiday parties.   Why?  The recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, it goes together in a snap, and most of the prep can be done ahead. And I love the combination – robust blue cheese, finely chopped figs and toasted […]

Get Ready for the Holidays: How a Treat Early in the Day Might Help

Cookies for breakfast?  Not my idea but a couple of tasters said these dark chocolate, fig and oat bars make a perfect morning food. Why not?  They’ve made with whole grain oats, a classic breakfast food, nutrient-rich figs and dark chocolate, an ingredient with a definite “health halo.” Some argue that having a sweet treat […]

Let’s Go Bowling!

Italian-Style Grain Bowl with California Figs Bowls are the “it” way to eat. Everywhere you look for recipe idea you’ll find noodle, smoothie and grain bowls.  Recently I created a bowl recipe and  my family was smitten. I got it. Bowls are perfect for personalization. Today people expect to have food “their way.”  (Reference 1.) […]

Love Lamb…or Not? The Answer is In the Fat

Boneless Leg of Lamb with Fig-Olive Vinaigrette Lamb is traditional at Easter meals, with symbolism linked to both Christian and pagan celebrations (Reference 1), but not everyone is a fan. On a recent Splendid Table Podcast (Reference 2) Lynn Rosetto Kasper stated that Americans consume 11 pounds of lamb compared to 65 pounds of beef […]

A Golden Twist on Hummus for Fall

Pumpkin Hummus with Fig Olive Gremolata   Hummus is hot.  Sales reached 695.5 million in 2014, a number that has doubled since 2009 (Reference 1,2).   It’s become a staple in many homes, including mine. Not only is hummus scooped onto pita bread and chips,  it is replacing butter and mayonnaise in wraps, sandwiches and more.   Arabic for “chickpeas” […]

Searching for Summer

  Apricot-Almond Crumb Bars   I take a lazy, low-tech approach to DIY (Do It Yourself), but by February I’m glad I made a little time last year to preserve one of the best parts of summer – fruits.    I don’t bother with a canner or dehydrator, but do task my freezer with storing […]