I am something of a chicken salad savant. I came late to the party, having an unreasonable and unfathomable aversion to mayonnaise in my youth and childhood. That, and little exposure to good chicken salad. I only choked down bad, plastic-container chicken salad out of politeness at parties and luncheons, and maybe a school cafeteria. Chewy chicken, gloopy mayo, or more … [Read more...] about Lemon Dill Chicken Salad
Soup and Salads
Fire and Ice Tomatoes
I love community cookbooks. The great and broad recipe collections gathered together by Junior Leagues, Junior Auxiliaries, symphony groups, historic homes, garden clubs. I have a large and ever-growing collection of these treasures. Some of them are quite professional nowadays, with editors and trained photographers. But I particularly love the old-school … [Read more...] about Fire and Ice Tomatoes
Succotash Salad
I know. Frankly, it’s just fun to say. Succotash. I could go here with Sweet Summer Succotash Salad. Sunny Season Succotash Salad. Or the trite but amusing Sufferin’ Succotash Salad. But more than being a pleasure to say, it’s a pleasure to eat. Crispy corn, creamy limas, crunchy bell pepper in a sweet-tart Vidalia dressing. It screams summer. And it looks like a big bowl … [Read more...] about Succotash Salad
Simple Beef Pho
Soup seems to be a universal comfort food. The French have their onion soup, the Italians minestrone, and Moroccans love harira. For me, to be honest, tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich are the most comforting combination on earth. And Vietnamese pho is certainly part of this long list. My parents are big fans of a Vietnamese restaurant near the neighborhood, but I … [Read more...] about Simple Beef Pho
Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder with Bacon
There are moments in the kitchen when you remember why you love to cook so much. That flash of personal genius that leads to the creation of something really great. A perfect moment of synergy when you find a way to combine your favorite ingredients into one sublime dish. This Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder, begun and ended with smoky, crispy bacon represents that moment for … [Read more...] about Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder with Bacon
