Over the next several weeks many of us will be busy hosting holiday parties to entertain friends and family. While I’m working on main courses and desserts, my guests will be making merry; to keep them happily entertained and take the edge off their appetites I will lay an ample spread of cheeses, wines, and […]
Although the warm sunny days of summer are behind us, delicious summery salads can continue late into the fall. Jam-packed with layered flavors and textures, my twist on the classic Salade niçoise trades cannellini beans for eggs and skips artichokes, anchovies, and olives for a lighter texture, letting summery heirloom tomatoes, string beans, radicchio, lettuce, […]
Who doesn’t love cheese? I’ve had great cheeses from all over, but my favorites tend to be French. I love creamy camembert, nutty salty hard aged Mimolette, and the deep savory earthiness of blue veined brie. For us there was a bit of a learning curve, an acquiring of taste to really enjoy strongly flavored […]
People either love or hate oysters, I don’t know if I’ve ever met someone who was indifferent about them; there is just something so delightful about enjoying these briny little morsels of sweet tender flesh right out of their shells in their own natural broth. I never pass up a chance to have them, and […]
My husband and I have been big fans of Michigan wines for years. Before moving abroad, we would vacation all along the Lake Michigan shore from north to south, following the wine trail while stopping at farmer’s markets and apple orchards to pick apples and enjoy fresh cider. If you aren’t familiar with Michigan wines, […]
In my family, we always had cranberry sauce on the table as part of every holiday dinner, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and even Easter. There is something fun about opening the can and watching the molded shape as it slowly slides out onto the plate. While living abroad I was disappointed that canned cranberry sauce was […]
Women love shopping, and I’m no different. While most women are shopping for shoes and handbags; I would rather browse shops and markets for herbs, spices and fresh ingredients. My favorite section is produce, this is where I really get inspired and the ideas start flowing. Soups, stews, casseroles, salads, or just heirloom tomatoes and […]
A Cook's Canvas 