Tuscan Soup

This soup has become a favorite of Marlboro Man and TBP (Teenage Bottomless Pit). Now when I make it (which is becoming more and more often), I make sure I cook a LOT so I’ll have some left over. The inspiration for this soup comes from our friend, Dale, who served it as a first [...]

Fresh Pear and Candied-Walnut Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

One of my favorite cookbooks to pull out during fall and winter is “The Pastry Queen Christmas:Big-Hearted Holiday Entertaining…Texas Style” by Rebecca Rather.  While there are some fantastic holiday recipes, there are others that I love to cook all year long.  This salad is one I will fix over and over again during fall and [...]

Easy Spicy Thai Chicken Soup

Thai food is a favorite around our house!  I love the flavorful harmony of Thai ingredients, especially in the soups. With the use of things like ginger or galanga, lemongrass, basil, lime and chili peppers, you get that sweet, spicy, salty, sour and sometimes floral combination that’s just delicious and very addictive!   If you’ve never experienced [...]

Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin is one of our favorite “cold weather” dishes. The name “Coq au Vin” is actually french for “chicken cooked in wine, bacon, garlic and mushrooms”, and legends trace it back to ancient Julius Caesar! While the wine used is typically a Burgundy, I’ve seen recipes using all kinds of wine, even white. [...]

Garden and Herb Salad

I have a new favorite cookbook this week!  It’s called “Cypress”, by Chef Craig Deihl, and it’s loaded with fantastic recipes and gorgeous photography!  I just love the creative ways he presents his dishes.  Not only are they beautiful, but everything I’ve tried so far is “over the top” delicious. Try this salad for a [...]

Spicy Sausage and Bean Stew

Not much cookin’ goin’ on in my  kitchen lately…for one, it’s way too hot, and two, TBP (Teenage Bottomless Pit) has to be at football practice at 5:30 and doesn’t get home until 9:00pm.  Not real condusive to a sit-down family meal!  So, between eating out and tossing something quick on the grill, we’ve managed [...]

Fresh Pea Salad with Radishes, Tomatoes and Mint

Summertime brings an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies, and I love all the wonderful tomatoes and peaches that have been appearing at our local roadside stands. It’s a real treat to see my favorite guy with all his goodies just right up the street from me, and since he’s only there a couple of [...]

Watermelon Tomato Salad

I love watermelon and I love tomatoes, but, frankly, the thought of them together was not so appealing to me.  With so many restaurants putting it on their menus lately, I thought I’d give it a whirl in my kitchen and see what all the fuss is about.   I was pleasantly surprised at how [...]

Beet Salad with Walnuts, Cilantro and Tomatoes

The CIA (Culinary Institute of America), the world’s premier culinary college opened a branch here in San Antonio at the historic Pearl Brewery site.  I’m thrilled at the opportunity to learn from some of their chefs, and recently I attended one of their Food Enthusiast classes.  It was great fun, and one of the dishes prepared was this [...]

Antipasto Pasta Salad

Did you know? In a study, it was found that teenage boys will routinely scarf down 2,000 calories at lunch if given the opportunity, without any fat-producing effects. Given the chance, 14- to 17-year old guys eat more than girls their age and turn those calories into height and muscle mass. Click here to see full [...]