What's Dorothy Eating Now?

I took this week off from work.  Didn’t go anywhere, just hung around the house, puttered, tried new recipes, sat in the big soft brown chair and read.  It was perfect. I managed to rouse myself to invite some friends over for dinner.  I love midweek dinner parties because it’s such a luxury to be  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Appetizers, Desserts and Baked Goods, Entree's, Salads

Class # 2 Paella I took a survey of students prior to the class to see what folks wanted to learn.  Many people said they wanted to learn more about seafood so I chose Paella as our topic since it would allow me an opportunity to discuss many food related things since there are so  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Appetizers, Desserts and Baked Goods, Entree's, Salads, The cooking class

I love the classic Italian dish of grilled steak over arugula with shaved parmesan.  This is my version of this.  I wanted a kind of Caesar’s dressing for this salad, hence the salted anchovies.  For those of you who haven’t tried them I highly recommend salted anchovies as a staple in your kitchen.  Whole Foods  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Appetizers, Salads

No doubt I’m genetically programmed to love lamb and I do.  I seek it out several times a month.   Typically I buy chops because they are fast and easy.  My favorite way to eat lamb chops is grilled and then doused in lemon juice and sprinkled with dried oregano.  I often pair lamb chops with  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Dimotakis/Calimeris Family Classic, Entree's, Salads

We are in full summer now, my favorite season, and the best time to have salad for dinner.  Avocados and corn have been exceptionally good this summer and I wanted to incorporate them into my salad.  I wanted my chicken grilled with a kick, and the rest of the salad cool and creamy. 4 chicken  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Salads

Since Claire had the good fortune to be born during the summer we often have outdoor options to celebrate.  The last couple of years she’s requested a small family gathering at the Lafayette Reservoir.  The Lafayette Reservoir is an inviting place for a picnic.  It can be windy in the parking lot and on the  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Desserts and Baked Goods, Entree's, Favorite Ingredients, Salads

I love artichokes…I love Caprese Salad, so it wasn’t too big a leap to put them together.  I had roasted some artichoke halves when I had the oven on for other reasons, I always like to fill my oven and cook ahead if I’m turning it on.  The Caprese I made for dinner last night  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Appetizers, Favorite Ingredients, Salads

Just about everyone who gardens plants zucchini.  It’s an easy crop and even the novice gardener can have success with it.  However the result is more zucchini than any human being, or family can consume.  There is lots of time spent trying to use it up.  I grew up having boiled zucchini at least two  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Salads

Memorial Day 1966 Recently Bob brought home those little cake cups/shells that grocery stores sell this time of year for Strawberry Shortcake, along with two baskets of strawberries.  Just looking at those funny little cakes takes me right back to being a kid.  My Dad LOVED strawberry shortcake and we had it frequently over the  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Desserts and Baked Goods, Entree's, Salads

Panzanella Somewhere in the late 80’s, early 90’s American’s discovered Panzanella.  Funny since Italian women had been making it for centuries!  And not just Italians, many other cultures have bread salads; the Arabic Fattouche is the first to come to mind.  When I first discovered Panzanella I was captivated by it.  I thought it was  [Continue reading...]

Filed under: Appetizers, Salads