On July 14 many Francophile participants celebrate Bastille Day.  It is a grand celebration in Paris and in many of the major cities of the world, in which French is the first language of choice and/or there are people of … Continue reading →

Summertime beckons delicious selections of colorful vegetables. Our home gardens are exploding like a color palette from summer squash to green beans. It is fun to experiment with creative cooking when the harvest yield is abundant and this is how … Continue reading →

As we celebrate the 4th of July, the festivities call for fun and flavorful food. We can count on our favorites; but, I like to add an unexpected treat. This year’s treats are grilled shrimp with bourbon sauce! Bourbon is … Continue reading →

My beloved hair stylist has been researching his heritage, which includes Italian heritage. I suggested that he throw a dinner party featuring the different countries of this heritage, with a different course representing a different country. He recalled that he … Continue reading →

Our dads deserve to be celebrated and if you’re not planning a BBQ, a Father’s Day Pot Luck Gathering creates a festive feast! The host or hostess needs to make plans to prepare the main course since the protein choice … Continue reading →

When the children are out of school, it is fun to have them help with dinner. Try a Salad Seascape for a delightful evening of entertainment! Each plate-scape becomes an edible artistic palette. Freshly made quinoa becomes the beachfront. Add … Continue reading →

As a child, I recall my first visit to the New Orleans French Quarter with my family. Dad treated me to a roasted corn-on-the-cob, on a stick, which was freshly dipped in butter. Between the flavorful cuisine, Pete Fountain’s music, … Continue reading →

A well-deserved school break calls for a Provence-style bike ride. Just as in southern France, what’s a bike ride without a picnic. So, what makes this culinary bike ride so special? – The most famous sandwich in Provence is the … Continue reading →

It’s graduation time and there is such a need for fast, flavorful appetizers or hors d’oeuvres. One of my favorites is Chilled Stuffed Tomatoes. Utilize the small bite size tomatoes. Blanch the tomatoes by putting them into boiling water for … Continue reading →

Springtime isn’t complete without the refreshing taste of watercress and cucumbers. Try my chilled Watercress Cucumber Soup which can easily be served in shot glasses as delightful hors d ‘oeuvres, too. First, in a food processor, puree watercress leaves.  It’s … Continue reading →

Picnic season has finally arrived and nothing is more refreshing than fresh air and delicious food. Wine and cheese are encouraged but predictable. It is vastly more entertaining to create a dish that delights. Try my chilled seared Chilean Seabass. … Continue reading →

Vive la France! Ah, French patisserie artistry … and one that stands out is the flavorful fruit filled galette. A galette is small fruit pie, usually about 6” to 7” in diameter, which has the pie crust made from puff … Continue reading →

The night before Easter, create an array of colorful salads, which is perfect for having everything prepared for lunchtime after sunrise services. Also, extra friends, relatives, and neighbors can pop in for a fun gathering and the multi-selection is sure … Continue reading →

Beautiful fresh vegetables are as inspiring as a stunning spring floral bouquet. Try my alternating white and green asparagus spiral for an impacting Easter salad or vegetable platter. There are 2 basic designs. For the first, cut the alternating white … Continue reading →

Exceptional classic cuisine remains popular because great flavors are part of a quality of life; however, techniques change and some techniques are healthier. The air fryer is perfect example of one of those paradigm changes. If you haven’t had a … Continue reading →