I would like to claim “Honorary Irish Blood”. Even though my dad’s parents were born and raised in Sweden and Mom’s family is Norwegian through and through, when I visited Ireland, it fit like the most perfect LBD.
Gluten Free
Turkey Breast with Fennel Spice Rub
What makes weekend meals so special? Usually we take a little extra time to prepare the food, and we tend to linger around the table. In a perfect world, that would be every meal!
Baked Country Style Ribs
There are days when I cannot be in the kitchen — too much work to do, preferring to read a book instead, or making the choice to visit with company outdoors instead of hanging out in the kitchen.
Beef & Vegetable Soup
I have to laugh at the soup commercials with a customer calling the soup kitchen via a can on a string. How many played “walkie talkie” that way as children? I know I did!
Apple Crisp with Bourbon Cider Reduction
This is probably the most incredible apple crisp you will ever taste, in my humble opinion. It is sweet, tart, chewy, buttery, and boasts a surprise with the sauce that looks like caramel, but has a fresh appley-citrusy-bourbony zing.
I have a couple different philosophies when it comes to dessert:
Bourbon Chicken Thighs
With the onset of the fall schedule, I need to do more advance preparation than during summer break. Some times my brain doesn’t like to think and plan! Spontaneity is too much fun — except at 6:30pm when everyone is hungry!
Chicken and Artichoke Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce
As a middle child, I tend to be a people pleaser. But at the same time, I don’t like to be boxed in. As important as rules can be, for the most part, they are simply guidelines.
Roasted Tomato and Garlic Bolognese Sauce
It is so much fun to see how Kristina has surpassed me – by light years – when it comes to cooking. She is creative and instinctive, and possesses the natural ability to invent adventurous (and wonderful!) culinary combinations.
Apple Blueberry Cabbage Salad
My mother was an elementary school teacher – back in the days when the ABC’s were more important than teaching political correctness. Her mother was also a teacher – before college degrees were required for educators.
Golden Borscht
While in Ukraine, we ate soup every day. Temperature over 90 degrees: soup for lunch. Humidity at the tropical level: soup for supper. Long days of teaching, playing, and chasing kids: soup for lunch AND supper. In fact, my Ukrainian interpreter (and friend) was stunned to learn that our family doesn’t eat soup for 4 or 5 months out of the year. But now I am converted to being a Summer Soup Supporter.
