Did you know that zucchini blossoms are not only edible - they are delectable! Many of the friendly Asian farmers in Building A at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market are selling zucchini blossoms in the fall as well as the spring. That's good news for me because stuffed zucchini blossoms ...
First Course
Spicy Corn and Black Bean Salad . . . the Perfect Side for Tailgating!
My son Nick called me from his new apartment in Tampa this week because he was looking for a great side dish for his very first dinner party. He originally wanted to make the stuffed poblanos that he and I made a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, he bought jalapeños instead of poblanos . . ...
Tomatoes Stuffed with Sweet Corn and Lemon-Basil Chèvre
Looking for an easy alternative to the same old boring side salad? How about a plump juicy tomato stuffed with some late summer sweet corn and creamy lemon-basil chevre from Uno Alla Volta (UAV)? Since my buddy, Zack Gadberry, cheese master extraordinaire, makes some of the most delicious ...
Are you tired of salads?
If you're tired of salads (or smoothies) as a cool way of getting your fresh raw veggies, think about chilled soups for the hot summer months for a refreshing change of pace. Sure, everyone has heard of gazpacho - what a fabulous summer soup! Lots of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, scallions, ...
Antipasti that will please your carnivores
Have you ever agonized over what to serve as a first course for a special meal? Case in point. Our son, Nick, wanted to have a few close friends over to celebrate his 23rd birthday this past Saturday. He chose ravioli as the main course - and what goes well before the pasta? The antipasti, of ...
No Evil Foods is a Game Changer when it comes to Italian Sausage!
I often receive comments about plant-based protein being “processed food.” I’ve found a new company in Asheville, North Carolina called No Evil Foods that makes an amazing vegan Hot Italian Sausage they call “The Stallion” with eight simple ingredients – all of which are non-GMO and three of ...
Celebrating My Mom’s 90th Birthday with Vodka Pasta
Celebrating life’s milestones with family and friends is one of my greatest pleasures. Last Thursday, I was thrilled to host a dinner party for my remarkable mother’s 90th birthday. Ida Menage Olah (known as Eda to her Cleveland family and friends) doesn’t like to be the center of ...
Before Watermelon and Cherry Tomato Season Ends . . .
The peak season for both watermelon and cherry tomatoes is approaching its end. Since I love the beautiful array of colors in the gorgeous artisan cherry tomatoes I've written about before, I decided to throw caution to the wind and combine these two unlikely ingredients! While I've previously ...
