Who’s ready to watch some Cowboys action this weekend?  Sunday’s game may have inched my blood pressure a few more unfortunate steps up, but I’m delighted to have more football left to play in the season.  After being chronically disappointed by my Longhorns the last couple of years, I’m still a little in shock that […]

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You simply can’t beat freshly made basil pesto.  Store bought doesn’t hold a candle.  The key to this recipe, in my opinion, is that the Fresh Basil comes directly from a living plant – and a pretty living plant.  Look for one with no dark spots on the leaves.  In Dallas, I find live basil […]

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Winter is here, and with it comes my favorite, soup season.  Second only to cooking with cognac season.  The best soups start with bones, so as  you bake those holiday hams, chickens, and turkeys – be planning your best soups yet!  Beans are another food group I didn’t consume until at least 25, so in […]

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I’ve made batches and batches of crab cakes in my life, yet somehow they’ve just never been quite perfect.  I’ve tried recipes from Ina Garten and Paula Deen and numerous others as well as just winging it on my own.  Somehow the perfect crab cake has eluded me until now.  I started a post called […]

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Last Wednesday I threw a china and jeans impromptu dinner party.  Against my natural instincts, I prepared the party as my next entry to Project Food Blog 2010, before I knew whether I’d advanced to the next round or not.  I am amongst the world’s most superstitious people.  And of course, I jinxed myself and […]

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It started with a hummus sandwich. Austin’s local sub shop chain, Thundercloud Subs really began my voyage into Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.  As a child I was hardly an adventurous eater, a habit that only slowly began to change in my early 20’s.  For my entry to challenge #2 for Project Food Blog 2010, […]

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Gougères are light and airy cheese flavored puffs, that frankly couldn’t be simpler to make.  They are scrumptious right out of the oven, but freeze well and can be quickly reheated just before serving.  Gougères make a perfect savory pairing to a glass of red wine or an elegant addition to any cheese plate.  You […]

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The title may be a tad bit misleading, as I’d guess most people wouldn’t call this party an “easy” menu for a child’s 5th birthday party, but I’d say it was certainly elegant.  Since I’m just rolling from one party straight into the next, LE’s Fifth birthday party was a combination of two events in […]

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Spring is finally here.  I swear if I see that groundhog, I’m going to wring his neck.  Well not really, because I’m non-violent.  But the extra six weeks of winter literally almost pushed me over the edge!  These fresh caprese salad crostini are a perfect appetizer or make a great addition to a light and […]

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My sweet friend Michaela brought Tabouleh to some-one’s bachelorette party.  Was it mine?  Was it Lisa’s?  I can’t remember, they all seem to have blended together over time.  In any case, I quickly decided it was one of the best things I’d ever had prepared by a friend.  (Michaela is an exceptional cook, and really, […]

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