Recent Posts

Portabello Mushroom Swiss Burgers

Portabello Mushroom Swiss Burgers

Sometimes the simplest things can be the hardest to master.  Take a homemade burger, for instance.  I have had some pretty great burgers at restaurants, and I’ve cooked many burgers at home.  In fact, one time I tried to get really fancy and make pizza 

Corn Salad

Corn Salad

Fall and winter are “Soup Seasons” at my house.  I am not allowed to make soup before October 1 or after March 21.  I guess that means that March 22 begins salad season.  And I love salads as much as I love soups.  There are 

Roasted Chicken Bruschetta

Roasted Chicken Bruschetta

I have a slight humble brag to get out of the way right off the bat.  I just returned from two weeks in France (blog post on The 10 Commandments of Dining in Paris coming soon!), and in addition to a couple bottles of wine, 

Healthy(er) Shrimp and Grits

Healthy(er) Shrimp and Grits

If you’ve never tried the combination of these crustaceans with ground corn, you’re missing out. When ordering shrimp and grits in a New Orleans restaurant, 9 times out of 10 what you get is barbecue shrimp over grits. The “barbecue” part is a little misleading.  

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Typically, I am unable to definitively answer questions requiring absolute answers, like “Who is your favorite band?” I always need to qualify my answer – You mean, of all time? Geez, that’s a hard one. Of a certain genre?  I can’t really narrow that down, either. 

Blackened Salmon Salad with Whole 30 Approved Ranch Dressing

Blackened Salmon Salad with Whole 30 Approved Ranch Dressing

I can’t remember why I decided to try the Whole 30 diet, but it was about two years ago that I did.  I tend to be fairly obsessive when I decide to try something new.  I read everything I can on the subject – articles, 

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Jamaican Rice and Peas

You can’t entertain a man who has no food — Bob Marley Fun fact:  “Beans” in Jamaica are actually referred to as “peas”, so this blog post is about Jamaican Rice and Peas which are actually beans. Still with me?  Good. In doing a little research 

Deconstructed Guacamole Salad

Deconstructed Guacamole Salad

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a hard time coming up with fresh, flavorful, healthy sides for my Hispanic and/or Southwest style dishes.  I used to rack my brain thinking about what would go best with carne asada tacos or chicken quesadillas…fresh 

Better Than Wendy’s Second Place Chili

Better Than Wendy’s Second Place Chili

As a kid I sporadically participated in the 4-H club, a youth organization focusing on helping kids learn by doing in such fields as agriculture, health and science…or some sh*t like that. I went to a weekend retreat-type camp for 4-Hers as a preteen.  Don’t 

Boiling Crawfish 101: So Easy Even a Girl Can Do It

Boiling Crawfish 101: So Easy Even a Girl Can Do It

The one time I almost cooked lobster was actually the first time I ever ate lobster.  I really was planning to do it, cook it, that is.  I went to the seafood counter of the grocery store, studied the tank and picked out the one.  He