A hearty salad is a perfect meal when the temperature starts to rise. This one is inspired by a salad at a local salad and sandwich shop. During the pandemic, most of my interaction with other people occurred on my patio, with chairs spaced apart. My mother and niece came for lunch one day and we curbsided some salads and ordered “curried chicken salad”. I think we all expected … [Read more...] about Curried Chicken Chopped Salad
Soup and Salads
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
One of my favorite party pieces when I was young and just starting to entertain was a tortilla soup, with a recipe from a Junior League cookbook. It was nothing but cans, jars and packets and pre-cooked ingredients, but I loved it, and I loved the interactive aspect of the meal. I made the soup and everyone could pile on the toppings to their heart’s desire. It was fun and … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Italian White Bean Soup
Sometimes, in the bleak days of winter, when the holidays are over and real life comes crashing back in, it is nice to have a moment of simple comfort. A nice, filling, warm meal, but not one that takes hours and hours of hands-on prep. So for that reason, I present this very simple, classic soup that takes very little effort but produces beautiful bowls of hearty soup with … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Italian White Bean Soup
Baked Feta with Stone Fruits
Baked feta is all over the internet. And with good reason, heat turns one simple piece of salty cheese into a deliciously creamy element in a host of applications. That baked feta pasta is about the only viral food trend that has appealed to me, and it is a good one. But as with many of these “new” internet hacks, or discoveries, or inventions, those of us of a … [Read more...] about Baked Feta with Stone Fruits
Shrimp, Orzo and Feta Salad
I love a hearty cold pasta salad in the summer. This version is inspired by the classic Greek flavors of shrimp, feta and tomatoes, which is a favorite combination for me. The fresh tomato vinaigrette and pops of salty feta marry with Greek-inspired herbs, with a little fennel for crunch and bite. Hearty enough to serve on its own, but you could also scoop into lettuce leaves … [Read more...] about Shrimp, Orzo and Feta Salad