When I was a teenager, I loved to entertain (I still do). I thought I was a real gourmet, because I knew how to cook – no help from my mom. We used to have other families for dinner, and sometimes I’d have dinner parties for friends. My favorite meal was flank steak in teriyaki marinade. I probably served it 100 times, never thinking that the guests … [Read more...] about Bourbon Grilled Flat-Iron Steak with Southern Bacon Bourbon Butter
Sugar Cake with Blueberry Basil Compote
I was first drawn to this recipe, because, well, who could resist something called sugar cake. It reminds me of the great classic song “Tea for Two”, the Ella Fitzgerald version is on my kitchen playlist. “Day will break and I will wake, and start to bake a sugar cake, for you to take for all the boys to see.” Recipes for Sugar Cake are scattered through community cookbooks, … [Read more...] about Sugar Cake with Blueberry Basil Compote
Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Quick, summery and simple. This is the perfect passable bite for a party or a wonderful side to a summer meal. If you tend to end up with a couple of extra zucchini hanging around after a trip to the farmers market, this is a great way to use them up, as a starter or a snack. Serve these while still warm, but you can make the mayonnaise mix hours ahead and … [Read more...] about Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Asian Inspired Chicken Salad with Sesame Mayonnaise
I do love a good chicken salad, and I am always working on new and different versions. This Asian inspired iteration relies on the wonderful sesame mayonnaise, a recipe I used for years when I first started entertaining, as a dip for asparagus spears or snap peas. I started making it when Asian ingredients like sesame oil and rice vinegar weren’t as readily available as they … [Read more...] about Asian Inspired Chicken Salad with Sesame Mayonnaise
Buttermilk Banana Bread
Honestly, I have always been ambivalent about banana bread. Most of what I have been offered is filled with all kinds of additions, lots of nuts, chocolate chips, spices. It’s too much for me and masks any banana flavor. And it is often accompanied by the disclaimer “I had a bunch of old bananas, so I thought I ought to make bread,” which is not a very good … [Read more...] about Buttermilk Banana Bread
