ALL PURPOSE MARINADE

Ingredients for a recipe on a cutting board.

For me, there’s no point in paying a fortune for bottles of marinade when I know I have most of the ingredients on hand. Plus, there are no chemicals or preservatives added when I make it. Here’s a simple recipe that goes great with poultry or fish. It’s not bad on a steak either. INGREDIENTS…

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WHITE SANGRIA

Two glasses of white wine sangria with fruit.

There’s nothing like white wine sangria to get a summer party going. It’s refreshing and the fruit fools you into thinking you’re doing something good for your body. Although from tasting it, you wouldn’t know that it’s very potent. So fair warning—only serve this to people who are not driving! INGREDIENTS (Serves 4-6) 1 bottle…

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MARINATED BLACK COD WITH BABY BOK CHOY

Grilled fish with bok choy and crispy onions.

I love black cod. It’s a very rich, buttery flavored fish that can really stand up to a good marinade. It’s got a bit of a fatty texture and doesn’t taste too “fishy,” so even those that might not love seafood might be persuaded to give it a try. And with this miso based marinade…

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GRILLED GREEN BEANS WITH WHIPPED RICOTTA

Grilled green beans with a balsamic vinaigrette dip.

I love grilling summer vegetables, but I’m always looking for a way to dress them up. This simple whipped ricotta dish takes advantage of my garden herbs and is great as a topping to grilled green beans. But, make more ricotta than you need, because it’s great on grilled bread or as a dip. FOR…

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JULY 4th LEFTOVER FRANKS & BEANS

Baked beans with sausage in a bowl.

Once your big 4th of July party is over, you might need a few ideas for how to use all of those leftovers. Here’s an idea for franks and beans — a dish my dad loved. You could also add some hamburger too, just chop it up. INGREDIENTS 2 teaspoons butter ½ onion, chopped 1…

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Karenalaya

Chicken and rice dish with parsley and garlic.

Classic Jambalaya is a delicious staple of New Orleans cuisine. But like so many dishes I love, there’s often a tad too much fat added. Here’s my paired down version that won’t have your scale saying “One at a time please.” It’s a great one-pot dish that can be made in advance and feed the…

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Feeling Sorry for Myself Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions.

When life starts to go to the dark side, I can always cheer myself up with a good old-fashioned grilled cheese sandwich served with a side of potato chips. I’m sure, given enough cheese, it will cheer you up too. (This recipe appears in my new book, “GETTING SAUCED – How I Learned Everything I…

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Linguine Con Broccoli Aglio E Olio

Pasta with spinach, ricotta, and pine nuts.

Sometimes the simplest dishes can be the most satisfying. This is one of my go-to dishes when I need to get something on the table quickly. The aroma of the garlic always brings me right back to a wonderful lunch I once had in Venice. (This recipe appears in my new book, “GETTING SAUCED –…

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Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna noodle casserole with peas and biscuits.

No one really wants to admit that some of those 1970s semi-homemade dishes our busy moms fed us were actually tasty on occasion. In truth, there is some comfort to them, if you can just get past the guilt of opening cans, dumping the contents, and then heating. I have trouble with that, but in…

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