TURKEY BURGER WITH CHEESE ON A PORTOBELLO BUN

If you’re looking for ways to lighten your meals without giving up on some of your favorite summer dishes, try this turkey burger. Turkey meat is a lower fat and cholesterol option than beef and with the right ingredients mixed in, you might not even notice that much of a difference. And rather than a…

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NO MAYO COLESLAW

Every year we have a big block party and I always like to bring something that goes with hotdogs and hamburgers. Because everything sits out for hours, I can’t make my usual coleslaw because it has mayo. Here’s a vinegar-based recipe with a tangy dressing. It’s best to bring a bowl of ice to place…

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GRILLED STEELHEAD TROUT

As a nice alternative to salmon, try steelhead trout. The fillets are usually thinner than most salmon fillets, so I find they cook more evenly on the grill. Here’s a simple recipe that comes together in no time. It’s a great last-minute dish for those lazy summer days. INGREDIENTS (serves 2) 1 lb steelhead fish,…

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ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

It’s harvest time, so that means the neighbors have way too many tomatoes to know what to do with them. So, being the lucky recipient of their abundance, I’m putting this year’s bounty to good use with this creamy roasted tomato soup. There’s nothing better than making tomato soup from fresh garden ingredients. Wait, oh…

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GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS

Now that it’s grill season, it’s time to spice things up a bit. Here’s a simple marinade for grilled chicken thighs. I like to use bone-in pieces because it takes longer to cook and allows the chicken to absorb more of the smokey flavor. INGREDIENTS MARINADE 1/2 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon…

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BACKYARD PASTA SALAD

So you’ve been invited to your neighbor’s house for a backyard barbecue and they’ve asked you to bring a side. You’re tired of making salads that no one eats, and want something that won’t spoil quickly in the heat. Ah ha! How about a pasta salad? You’ve got tons of tomatoes and cucumbers in your…

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SAUTEED CHINESE GREENS

I’ve become obsessed with Chinese greens. I often find myself wandering around the produce section in Asian markets or Chinatowns trying to figure out what to do with all the glorious exotic vegetables. My particular favorites are the choy family; choy sum, gai choy, bok choy, yu choy and ong choy—all variations on greens, some…

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LATKE ENCRUSTED COD

I know what you’re thinking, this is a weird one, right? Well, why should latkes be just for Hanukkah? I was planning on making a simple fried fish dinner when the light bulb went off—why not try to encrust the fish in grated potatoes and onion and then fry it? The coating came out nice…

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A GRAND MARGARITA

When it’s hot outside, there’s nothing like a good old frozen margarita to take the temperature down a few notches. Here’s a refreshing take on one that uses Grand Marnier rather than triple sec. I find it gives the drink a touch more elegance. I always drink mine without a salted rim, but feel free…

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MATZO BREI WITH PECANS

Blueberry pancake with syrup topping.

For those celebrating Passover, the one consolation of giving up all that bread for a week is having an excuse to make Matzo Brei. This egg/matzo omelet is a sweet treat when doused in copious amounts of maple syrup. People will argue about the egg to matzo ratio, but it really depends on how you…

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