Who doesn’t love hummus? Well, a long time ago I didn’t. In my 20’s, I would make fun of people who would bring it to parties (sorry to those I’ve offended!). In my 30’s I realized “this is some pretty good stuff!”, and now that I’m in my 50’s I can’t get enough of it!Continue reading “My Favorite Hummus”
Category Archives: Cooking
The Best Weekday Salad Dressing
I haven’t purchased bottled salad dressing for years – I love making my own! It is super easy, whether you just want a simple oil and vinegar based dressing or something more elaborate (I order the salad dressing mixes from Penzeys). But, my new most favorite salad dressing is even easier to make! It takesContinue reading “The Best Weekday Salad Dressing”
I’m Just Here For The Halibut
Oh Morro Bay, where have you been all my life? As I stated in my previous post So Many Wines, So Little Time (Santa Ynez and Edna Valleys), our friend Cheryl had moved to Morro Bay and was working at a winery in Paso Robles, living a great life. Of course we were going toContinue reading “I’m Just Here For The Halibut”
Jar-din-air-ah (or Giardiniera)
Oh these fun to pronounce ingredients! Is it giardiniera, giardano’s, or giada?? I chose Alex Guarnaschelli’s (gwar-nah-shelly) cookbook Cook With Me for Cookbook Club. We love Alex! In my opinion she is the princess to the queen Ina Garten 🙂 The recipes in this book are all easy to follow, with simple ingredients. So let’sContinue reading “Jar-din-air-ah (or Giardiniera)”
Please Pass the Jello Salad
Doing a 1950s-themed cocktail party has long been on Nancy’s list. And since Laura was the host and had the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook, it seemed like the perfect time to do it! Instead of a main entree, we decided to make several appetizers, a couple of salads, and dessert. But first, the cocktail –Continue reading “Please Pass the Jello Salad”
Let There Be Brunch
Few things get me as excited as a good brunch – usually something sweet, something savory, and of course day drinking! Nancy was the hostess for this shindig, and nobody loves brunch more than her 🙂 Every good brunch needs a good drink (or two), so Nancy set up both a Mimosa and a BloodyContinue reading “Let There Be Brunch”
Movin’ to the Country, Gonna Eat a Lot of Peaches (and other Good Stuff)
I love this time of year – peak Farmer’s Market season – tomatoes, zucchini, and especially peaches. And when I think of peaches, I can’t help but think of this song by The Presidents of the Unites States 🙂 We wanted to choose a cookbook that would highlight local ingredients from the farmer’s market, andContinue reading “Movin’ to the Country, Gonna Eat a Lot of Peaches (and other Good Stuff)”
No Reservations About Rao’s Restaurant
My midwestern family has a connection to the famous Rao’s Restaurant in New York City. Not a strong enough relationship to ever get a reservation mind you, but it is a good story. My mom was adopted as a baby, and in the course of discovering who her father was, she befriended a lady namedContinue reading “No Reservations About Rao’s Restaurant”
Cioppino in the Garden
“Summertime … and the living is easy …” This is how I feel this year! So good to be out and about, socializing with friends. This is not a “typical” Cookbook Club event, but since there were two members present, and a whole slew of fabulous cooks coming, I wanted to highlight our friend Jacob’sContinue reading “Cioppino in the Garden”
An Early Father’s Day Lunch With The ‘Rents
Technically, this does not fit the format or rules for Cookbook Club. But it was another gathering with a couple of fantastic recipes that I wanted to share, and did include half of the Cookbook Club. This year we had to move up our Father’s Day Celebration since my mom is having surgery. One ofContinue reading “An Early Father’s Day Lunch With The ‘Rents”
Tales From The Wine Store 