Bring a container of this creamy soup to a picnic, serve it in small bowls (don’t forget spoons!) and you’ll have a surprising and delicious side dish or starter for your group. The soup is also a great warm-weather accompaniment to a backyard family dinner or barbeque. Use the freshest parsley, ...
Two Men and a BBQ
The other night, my husband was tending our BBQ, grill tools in hand, while chicken sausages, hot dogs and burgers sizzled in unison. While waiting for the right moment to flip, he snatched a hot dog and a bun, stepped away from the BBQ for a few seconds and slathered it with ketchup, mustard and ...
Without Interruption
I was in the midst of making a lentil salad a few days ago when my friend Jackie stopped by for an impromptu play date. She brought a small container of left-over chocolate chip cookie dough and suggested that she finish her baking at my house. Without hesitation, I pre-heated the oven in ...
Falafel Frustrations
It was music to my ears when Liza walked into Kathe’s house last week for the Cooking With Friends Club Kid Friendly Dinner Swap and announced how much work it had been to make 60 pieces of Falafel. You see, Liza conceded that she had cooked alone instead of with a friend. So it came as no ...
The Urge to Hoard
If you’ve ever cooked with the intent of stocking your freezer, you know the satisfaction of seeing your freezer jam packed. One of my cooking friends tells me she enjoys the look of an overstuffed freezer so much that she sometimes hesitates to use anything. This primordial urge to hoard food can ...
A Pizza Dough Work Out
Stretching, pulling and rolling 16 pieces of dough. Had I been alone in my kitchen, I probably wouldn’t have taken on this mundane task at all. However, since I was cooking with my friend Kathe, I actually enjoyed the process. We got together yesterday to make homemade macaroni and cheese and ...
Lasagna Al Fresco
This photo is not an ad for Ronzoni pasta. Rather, it's a memento of a beautiful afternoon with a friend. It was an absolutely gorgeous Spring Monday when Debbie and I met for our lasagna assembly date. Having made our tomato sauce together the week before, we were all set to get to work -- except, ...
Ladies Who Don’t Just Lunch
Many months ago, Laura, Rebecca and Christine, three busy friends with school aged children, found themselves at lunch. These involved, smart women, who had met when their children were toddlers, realized they needed to stay in touch as their children began going to different schools. While chit ...
Save a Bundle–Make Your Own Granola
Suzy, Jackie and I are granola lovers. With a good quality granola averaging at least $4.99 a pound (Bare Naked brand) it's just too costly to buy the amount needed to feed our families. So, we regularly make it ourselves. The other day, Suzy and I set out to make granola together with what we ...
Save money. Cook with a friend.
I’m sure you’ve noticed the news about escalating food prices and how it is taking its toll on our wallets and our lives. This disquieting topic has made headlines in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and even Good Morning America. So, how real is this unsettling trend? Personally, I’ve ...