If you’ve ever started dinner only to realize that you’re out of one thing or another, then you’ll know how easy it is to give up on dinner and just head for the nearest eating establishment. I mean, you’re going out anyway, right? A well-stocked pantry is one of the first keys to successful home cooking. Why Stock Your Pantry? ::As I stated before, having ingredients on hand means you’re less likely to run to the nearest fast food chain, order takeout, pizza or... more

I am here at Blissdom this week(end), but I have to tear myself away from the wonderful presentations and amazing people to tell you about something I have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of. When Julie from Dinner with Julie posted just after the Haiti earthquake about her vision to raise money and funds to donate, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. And as she embarked on the journey of putting together a compilation cookbook from 27 different food blogs and get editors and publishers... more

With our weekly menu on display for everyone to see, it may be hard to believe that we ever eat out, but we do. In fact, there are days when the fast food flows as I sit behind my computer and toil away, leaving no time for the things I enjoy, one of them being spending some quality time in the kitchen, seeing what I create. It’s an easy pattern to fall into, eating out. You worked late and it’s already 6:00. If you just grab something to go, there’s no mess, no time investment... more

Considering New Year’s Eve is tomorrow, I thought I’d get on sharing our card before the holidays are behind us. Maybe I was aiming for Valentine’s Day? I joked about it on Twitter today in an attempt to conceal my shame. In an attempt to rectify the end-of-the-year disorganization that seems to be controlling me the last two weeks, HERE is our Christmas/New Year/12th Day of Christmas/January card: I’m looking forward to our first full year here on Food for My Family,... more

Sometimes you need a showstopper.  Maybe you are trying to impress a date with your cooking skills, maybe you need to show up some food snobs at your next dinner party, or maybe you’re just having an old friend over.  Recently for us, it was the latter.  Our good friend Joel hadn’t been over in a while so we thought we’d wow him with my new favorite way to have a steak (that doesn’t require a grill).  The only condition for him was that to earn his meal, he needed to be... more

I have a confession. I am a coffee lover. Maybe it’s the fact that coffee shops are EVERYwhere. There are the plain white cups with the brown sleeves at the local shop two blocks away. When I take my kids to the library, the Brothers stare me down. Still, it could be that I shop at Target, and the topless mermaid calls my name as I walk through the door. Whatever it is, I know that it gets worse as the weather in Minnesota gets colder. But I am a big believer in doing it myself, living... more

Remember the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where the turkey comes to the table, browned and glorious, and then as Clark goes to carve it the whole thing deflates? Here, let me refresh your memory. This doesn’t have to be you. Roasting a turkey can be easy, and it doesn’t take as long as you think. This is a no-fuss, surefire way to get a perfect holiday turkey. Of course, for inspiration, I looked to Ina. When in doubt, look to Ina. Hungry? Ina. Confused?... more