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Pesto And More For Friends in Need
Early on this summer one of our friends was in a major accident. We're thrilled he's doing great now, the neck brace is off and the whole family is on the mend. While Alison and I have been advocating helping friends in need for years, I have to say I learned more this time than ever, as three of us ...
What Looks Good in the Garden
Over the past few weeks we've been lucky to have a steady stream of friends and relatives visiting from New Jersey, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix. When dinnertime rolls around, as some of us are cooking in the kitchen, we send others out back to the garden with the question: "What looks good ...
Green Chiles and Green Bay Chili
After living in eight states from Colorado to Wisconsin to Massachusetts throughout my life, I've always found that each place has its own surprising and particular foods and ways of eating. I'd never had Green Hatch Chiles before living in Denver, or Fish Fry Friday with Walleye before coming to ...
Summertime Drinks
In so many of our gatherings with friends lately, summertime drinks have set the stage, offering a cool, colorful beginning to an event or dinner. We've enjoyed Fruity Sangria at a big block party, Whisky Sours on a rooftop celebration, and Dark-N-Stormys in our backyard before going out. We've ...
Shannon on the Veronica Rueckert Show
Shannon appeared on The Veronica Rueckert Show on Wisconsin Public Radio on July 23. She talked about Cooking With Friends and the wide world of blogging. Click here to go to the podcast and listen! ...
Pre-Theatre Dinner In the Woods
There were four of us in charge of the pre-theatre dinner in various degrees. We were set to see a 1930s take on Shakespeare's "As You Like It" on the outdoor stage at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI. It was a gorgeous night, full of fireflies and welcome breezes in the heat. As we ...
Notes from Our Farmer
Every Thursday morning during the summer, I get an e-mail note from Blue, our farmer who grows the vegetables for the CSA share we get that day. His notes have a straight to the point section:"In today's box" so we can think a bit ahead of time for the night's dinner. But they also have his ...
First Tomato
Is there anything better than the first tomato from your backyard garden? Sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper, it's one of my favorite foods. When you take the first bite and the flavor explodes in your mouth, you remember why the winter tomatoes just never could stand up to these beauties. A ...
Herbed Potato Salad
We love bringing this French Potato Salad to picnics and potlucks all summer. It’s held together by oil and vinegar rather than mayo, which means it will keep outside longer, and is lower in fat than the traditional versions. The capers add a slightly surprising pickled taste and texture. Feel free ...