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Posts from the ‘Main Dish’ Category

Aug 16

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Salad Days

No matter where you live, or what produce is available in your markets year round, nothing tastes so good as local fresh fruits and vegetables, and the best time to enjoy this bounty is the middle of summer, the height of the growing season. Everything seems to ripen at once, and the perfect way to enjoy it all is to make salads combining several ingredients.  These cold salads are the ideal solutions to dinner planning on hot summer days. The neatest thing about salads is that they’re so open to adaptation, innovation and interpretation. Nearly any salad can be modified to accommodate the ingredients on hand, most allergies and individual taste. They can also be altered to fit most budgets. In fact, often one salad recipe can range from expensive to economical just by changing price categories of the ingredients. Read more

Jun 14

Side by side

Fathers’ Day already, and with the warm weather, it’s usually another occasion to cook out. After acting as busboy, dishwasher and sous chef for three generations of men in my family, while they grilled, I’ve concluded that for most men, grilling is less about cooking than it is about enjoying the company and the setting, and they have the right idea. They’re willing to watch over the starring entrée, but don’t want to fret over the sides, especially with guests present.  Those are better magically appearing on the table, but there’s no reason they can’t be ready in advance so those who do make them can relax and have fun too. Read more

Apr 12

Let’s Get Seasonal

Probably the greatest amount of food knowledge we absorb growing up is when regionally or locally grown products become available, and when to anticipate produce from other places.  I really believe that recognition of these seasonal changes is part of our survival instincts. We seem born with the understanding that there is a time of re-growth, a time to enjoy the bounty and a time to store provisions for a difficult season to come. Now, thanks to modern technology, preservation and transportation methods, the time lines have blurred. Foods from all over the world are readily available. Moreover, many produce items have been introduced in climates similar to their indigenous ones, making them obtainable throughout the year. Read more

Apr 5

Dinner With Joy Pasta Recipe

Easter Favorites Recipes for Hams – Glaze – Sauce – Hash and Soup

It seems just last week I was talking about putting aside a ham for Easter, and here we are! Time to start getting it ready to star at the holiday dinner, and to consider the supporting cast. Don’t forget, for those on restrictive diets, Smoked Turkey can be substituted for the ham in any of these recipes. Read more

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