I received an email from my sister a few weeks ago. All it said was: “Yum.” And then there was a link. Because I’m trying to get everyone to try asparagus, I knew it was something I’d be making. You don’t like asparagus? That’s too bad. You don’t know what you’re missing. My kids eat asparagus. One key thing when you’re purchasing asparagus. Pay attention. This is VERY important. Please buy young asparagus with tiny stalks. Fat, woody... more

Jen Isham went home on The Next Food Network Star premiere this Sunday for making green beans for a room full of Food Network stars. A simple search of their recipe index reveals that they have 186 sautéd green bean recipes. This doesn’t even begin to go into the total 1201 recipes that involve green beans on the site. What they’re saying is you can make green beans, just do it at home and not for a room full of Food Network stars. In fact, you could make THESE green beans. At home.... more

A lot of work goes into main dishes.  For the most part, I tend to focus on the protein portion of our meals, but when possible, I like to double – even triple up on items that can be put on the grill for any given meal.  I’ve already talked about the asparagus that can be done on the grill so today I’ll talk about what is probably the most popular non-meat grillable in the house – my soon to be famous, Super Garlic Toast.   Normally, I’m not so boastful about my... 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

I can be lazy when it comes to cooking. There are days where I’m just wholly unmotivated to get in that kitchen. Like today. I *should* be boiling noodles right now, but I’m sitting here in my chair again, definitely not boiling water… Water is on the stove. Now I don’t feel so bad. I know you were worried about my mental health. How thoughtful you are. For this recipe I used the leftover cornbread muffins I made the week before. I waited until they were completely... more

It’s beer cheese soup! It looks suspiciously like rice, no? Remember my beer cheese soup from yesterday? It has transformed into a pile of cheesy goodness. It’s easy, and it was a wonderful addition to this cut of meat. We often cook more food than we need to purposely have some for lunches and weekends. The problem with leftovers is they sit in the back of the fridge, alone. Forgotten. You open the fridge, hungry, looking for a tasty addition to a meal, a delightful snack. That... more