Let's face it, a cookout on Labor Day, that bittersweet farewell to summer, tends to attract the hedonistic hordes. Your challenge as host is to come up with something that's simple to prepare, but not boring. These pork chops do the job splendidly.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
This is the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner dish: bacon, eggs and toast (in the form of buttery crumbs), combined with spaghetti. Comfort food to the highest degree, it's especially satisfying after a stressful day at school or the office. And all of the ingredients, except for the bacon, are cooked in one …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
My dad, a native New Englander, is a huge fan of lobster rolls, those heavily-buttered hot dog buns stuffed with chunks of mayonnaise-rich lobster and maybe a little celery for crunch.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
With Easter on its way, my mind has turned to scalloped potatoes, always a big hit at a holiday feast. And really, what's not to love? We're talking about sliced potatoes baked in a cream sauce, then topped with cheese or crumbs or both! Still, it takes some care to …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 9 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
With St. Patrick's Day looming, let's whip up some champ, a rich and rustic Irish dish of mashed potatoes flecked with scallions and topped with butter. It couldn't be simpler, but as always, the devil is in the details.
Just about all of the traditional dishes served at feasts celebrating the Chinese New Year - which this year falls on Feb. 19 - symbolize something wonderful to come. Round foods in particular are rich with meaning, their coin-like shape considered a nod to prosperity.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Chicken in a pot. Not a very romantic name, I'll admit. Luckily, the French have the more melodic "poule au pot" to fill that gap for this utterly delicious dish.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Why bother making chicken stock at home when there are so many respectable versions at the supermarket? Because the stock you pour out of a can or a box just can't touch the homemade variety.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Sometimes the last thing you want to do at the end of a long hot summer day is turn on the oven and make a meal. So here's a delicious solution that requires no more heat than is necessary to grill up some bread.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
In terms of flavor and texture, it's hard to beat a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, reportedly one of the most popular sandwiches in America. Trouble is, it's not exactly filling.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
What to do on Father's Day when it's time to eat and you want to serve something manly and filling? Other than steak, that is. Here's a nominee that re-engineers a classic sports bar appetizer - jalapeno poppers.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
When it comes to ice cream, I generally feel it's hard to improve on a simple scoop right out of the carton. But this time my mind has turned to baked Alaska. I know... How retro!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Speaking as a mom and a chef, let me assure you - one of the nicest things you can do for Mom on Mother's Day is cook for her. Something sweet is best. And my candidate? Comforting, traditional rice pudding.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
As the weather gets warmer, I cook lighter. And in The Husband's taxonomy of food, crabcakes are relatively light. So I thought I'd employ of couple of seasonal stars - peas and radishes - to put a spring spin on them.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Asparagus has been a delicious symbol of spring since at least as far back as the Greeks, who called it asparagos - literally, "to spring up." But however it is spelled, it makes me happy.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Leaving aside anything made with powdered eggs (which don't really count as eggs at all in my book), I've never met an egg dish I didn't like. But at the tippy top of my list of favorites is the edible magic trick known as the souffled omelet.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
With St. Patrick's Day nearly upon us, our minds often turn to corned beef and cabbage. This recipe was inspired by that tradition, but swaps out the corned beef in favor of smoked fish (also incredibly popular in Ireland) in a richly satisfying savory broth.
With Mardi Gras looming, I thought it might be fun to cook up some New Orleans-styled goodies featuring duck, andouille sausage and Creole seasoning. These rich ingredients are typical of the fare from this town that knows how to party - an instinct that goes into overdrive during Mardi Gras.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
When it's cold outside, I love making soup for supper. Everything goes into a single pot, starting with an aromatic broth and a substantial array of vegetables, then a little bit of protein, and finally a crispy garnish. And when dinner's over, there's only that one pot to wash!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Fish en papillote is the elegant-sounding name of a staple recipe of classic French cuisine. Translated into English, it becomes the much less elegant-sounding - "fish in a bag." By any name, however, this method of baking fish is a smash.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
It's the same thing every year. We overindulge during the holidays, then make solemn (and quickly abandoned) promises to eat healthier and shed pounds in the new year.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Who doesn't love chocolate truffles? They are the essence of chocolate, and a sure-fire mood enhancer. Pop even one into your mouth and see if you don't get happy.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
With the holidays getting into full swing, life for most of us is getting hectic. Between all the big meals, the parties, the kids needing treats for their classes, never mind our day jobs...! Who has time for it all?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
I was a happy little butterball when I was a kid. Sweets were my thing, desserts in particular. And chocolate desserts most of all. The one exception to the rule? My grandmother's oatmeal cookies.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
