Pizzeria Salad
You know the drill. You're at the pizzeria and need something to munch while you wait for your pie. So you order the Pizzeria Salad, or something quite like it.…
Cherry Chicken Salad
This Cherry Chicken Salad recreates a meal I had in Door County, Wisconsin. It's a souvenir recipe that calls to mind sunset trails, hikes along the shore, and fun with…
Walnut Pasta
To my mind, Walnut Pasta is simply different. There's no red sauce, no Alfredo. There is garlic sizzling in a big puddle of olive oil with some crushed red pepper.…
Mushroom, Onion, Pepper and Egg Wraps
Pepper and scrambled egg sandwiches show up at Chicago beef joints for Lent. But the usual French bread roll can be unwieldy, so I've gone wrap. For some oomph, I…
Family Favorite Brownies
These family favorite brownies are buttery and fudgy and never fail to impress. Best of all, they're easy and only take about 30 minutes. The ease of preparation belies their…
Potatoes O’Brien Tacos with Poblano Lime Sour Cream
Tacos are one of my standby meals. Because they're so versatile, it's an easy way to go vegetarian for dinner. I've always got spuds and onions languishing in the pantry,…
Spaghetti and Meatballs
These are the meatballs that go on top of spaghetti. Garlicky, studded with herbs, they're right at home in a simple red sauce. It's homestyle comfort food that's easy and…
Sloppy Joes
My relationship with Sloppy Joes had its ups and downs. I enjoyed them as a kid, then promptly forgot about them for twenty years. Then my kids requested them. And…
Cranberry Whole Grain Muffins
Fresh cranberries seem to be one of the few remaining seasonal foods (from a consumer point of view). So much produce is easily available year round. But fresh cranberries only…
Stir Fried Orange Beef & Vegetables
Cook the Book: Introducing a More Please series featuring favorite recipes from my cookbook collection. Stir fried orange beef is a homestyle stir fry. The sauce is delightful, flavored with…