Sweet potatoes roasted with fresh sage and garlic and tossed with black rice for a comforting winter side dish recipe. My husband and I don’t dumb down our use of language for our children. Instead, we tell them like it is, explaining fully that the little openings in the car seats where the buckles poke through lead to the great abyss from which fallen LEGOS may never return, and then giving a lesson on what the word “abyss” means to a four-year-old. Scientific terminology and... more

French fries and squeaky cheese curds get smothered in a dark Guinness Draught gravy for a poutine that would make any Québécois proud. I think. Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating of curds and whey; There came a big spider, Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffet away. We replaced Miss Muffet’s whey with beer-spiked gravy and added a few french fries. It all works out. I’m not sure why I’m writing this. Making poutine was Ole’s idea. Still, in marriage... more

Togarashi is a spice blend often seen in Japanese cooking, dating back many centuries. Borrowing some traditional seasonings there and adding in the element of wasabi, these spicy orange wasabi fries are a perfect mix of East meets West, giving you a fry worthy of standing next to a sushi night or bowl of ramen, but just as easily finding a place on a plate next to a burger. There was a green bush in the garden last year that sparked several conversations between Ole and I. What was it? How did... more

Colcannon is a classic potato dish in Ireland and perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday. Made with potatoes, sautéed kale and/or cabbage, a few green onions, butter and cream, this is definitely a stick-to-your-ribs dish that is perfect for serving alongside an Irish beef stew. Last week was a laughable mess. I definitely had my fair share of life going on with identity theft, a 36-hour trip to Chicago, what ended up as a 4-hour appointment to Children’s Hospital for... more

Today, the sun is shining. The icicles that adorned my house have all melted. The snow that covered my backyard? Well, it’s still there, but the forecast says it won’t be there forever, which is how I felt about it last week at this time. Yet the nights still dip below freezing, and I find myself curled up under an afghan my mom crocheted 13 years ago. To chase out the last days of winter, comfort food seems appropriate. Bring on the potatoes, the cream, the oven and the leeks.... more

My appetite changes with the season. In the winter I appreciate things that warm you up and keep you warm. Like soup. In the summer, soup takes a back seat to pasta salads, potato salads, slaws, grilled meats and fresh fruit. A warm cup of soup on a winter day makes the transition from morning coffee to lunchtime that much easier. Yes. I use coffee to keep warm. Sometimes tea too. There is something about a well-balanced soup that makes me smile on the inside. Over the years I’ve learned... more

I’ve been wanting to buy fingerling potatoes for a while, and they have finally appeared on my local supermarket’s shelves. I am a big fan of the thin-skinned new potatoes, and fingerlings have a similar skin. However, these potatoes are fully mature when harvested and have a different flavor than new potatoes. These made their appearance served alongside the bacon-wrapped tenderloin and grilled asparagus. It was an easy meal to put together, and I spent the downtime in the grass... more