Spring makes me do funny things. Just as the mountain laurels start to bloom, I actually (if falsely) believe that our house could be clean for an extended period of time. Like one day or something. And under that belief, I get very determined and start cleaning at odd hours like a crazy woman. Then one […]
Tag Archives | entertaining
Side for Steaks: Build-Your-Own Wedge Salad
If there’s one consistently reliable source for advice about life, it’s bumper stickers. Okay maybe not, but there is one bumper sticker that I keep thinking about. It’s in the shape of a paw print, and inside, it says: “Who rescued who?” Who rescued who. It reminds me of what my mom always says about raising children: […]
Soup When You’re Sick (or Not): Lime Soup With a Thai Twist
Belize is my kind of place: White sand, blue water, rum punch, lime soup. Have you been? I went with my best friend Elissa and our mutual friend Rob back in 2007. We left a few days after Christmas and stayed through the New Year. This was back when John and I had just started […]
On the Mediterranean Diet: A Recipe for Lentils
Did you hear the news? A recent study confirmed what many suspected: A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, lean protein, fruits and vegetables can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. By a lot. As was reported in the New York Times a couple of weeks ago: The magnitude of the […]
Quinoa with Butter, Almonds and Cranberries
Okay, so I am officially becoming my dad. I am usually in bed before 9 p.m. I have a Japanese car (with light-colored seats!) that gets good gas mileage. I’m an over buyer, especially as to milk and paper towels. I use my blinker like a Driver’s-Ed instructor. I can’t stand loud restaurants. And my […]
One Helluva Texas Chili Recipe
I’ve been a bad Texan. Yes, I own boots and a Stetson hat. But I don’t have my own chili recipe. Oh the shame. My dear Texas, I want to make it up to you. Will this suffice? What if I told you that it was made with 12 ounces of Shiner Bock Black Lager? […]
How to Make an Angel Food Easter Bunny Cake
My husband and I have a running debate about the proper use of the word “rich” when describing food. (Lame, yes, but that is what happens when two lawyers get together.) I say “rich” should only apply to very buttery or fatty foods. Whereas, John uses it to describe any highly-seasoned cuisine. Well, good news […]
Easter Treats: Rice Krispie Treat Nests with Candy Eggs
I rarely know what day it is. Probably because I don’t write checks very often or work a regular job. And probably also because I have a three-month-old and three-year-old at home, neither of whom has any concept of time. (Although I did get a laugh the other day when Jack, the three-year-old, told me […]
Personalized Favor Tags
If you enjoyed these personalized cupcake toppers, I bet you will love these personalized favor tags, too! These were also for a wedding shower, so all of the pics are of the bride- and groom-to-be. I also included a few of their sweet doggie, Hank. Ar. To make them, start by following the instructions for […]
Easy and Elegant Recipe for Pork Tenderloin
Isn’t in funny how times change. A decade ago, it was perfectly acceptable for Martha Stewart to provide a recipe that took multiple days to prepare. Whereas, these days, Rachael Ray doesn’t even waste time on extraneous syllables! (EVOO, veg, sammy, delish.) I think I’m somewhere in the middle: I love a recipe that looks […]
The BEST Recipe for Crab Cakes
I made crab cakes last night for dinner. Jack ate two and John ate SEVEN. That’s why John and I are such a good match. As his dad likes to say: “Well isn’t funny that a guy who loves to EAT finds a girl who loves to COOK!” Here’s what you need to know about […]
Crazy Good Creamy Mustard Sauce for Steaks
Sure, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but this easy and elegant recipe is not just for that. It’s perfect for any romantic dinner at any time (as long as your guest likes a big juicy steak as much as I do). To start, you will need two steaks, cooked how you like ’em. […]
Ideas for Valentine’s Day Dinner
Hey Guys, have you made plans yet for the big day? No, not the Super Bowl. Valentine’s Day! How about this: A romantic dinner for two (or more) in your own cozy dining room. It’s what John and I have been doing for years. We usually invite over four or five other couples (with kids) […]
Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Nuts
Some things are so divisive. Politics. Minivans. Beets. You either love ’em or you hate ’em. Or, you’re like me and just like ’em in small doses. To me, beets taste best roasted in the oven, and then tossed over a green salad with salty cheese, crunchy nuts, and a tart vinaigrette. Do you have […]
Pistachio-Crusted Cod
I am enjoying the cold weather. I am. It’s fun to bundle up in hats and gloves and puffy jackets and venture out with the stroller for a walk. But at the same time, I am already thinking about summer. About my second-favorite place on earth: Port Aransas, Texas. (Austin is my first favorite, if […]
Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
After a wonderfully hectic Christmas, John and I rang in the New Year with a double-date dinner at one of my favorite Austin restaurants, Fabi & Rosi. Have you been? If not, you must go. The atmosphere is peaceful and romantic. The menu is European with strong German influences. (The owner, Wolfgang, is from Germany […]
Beef Stew: The Ultimate One-Pot Meal
If I write another cookbook, I think it will be called “Marie’s One Pot Meals.” That’s what my life has come to lately, what with a new baby on my hip and a toddler running around. Now I understand why my mother (who raised four kids) has always been such a fan of what she […]
Pulled Pork for Lazy People and Other Rainy Day Activities
Taking care of a toddler for a full day is a challenge. And on rainy days, when we are confined to the indoors, it’s nearly impossible. At least for me. Usually this wouldn’t be a concern for us in Texas in July, but this week, surprisingly, the forecast is rain. When Jack and I run […]
Simple Candied Roasted Nuts
After having candied walnuts in a salad at Fleming’s Steakhouse and candied pecans in one at North by Northwest recently, I wanted to make some candied nuts of my own. And with Jack at home during the mornings, now that his preschool has ended for the summer, this week seemed like a good time for […]
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