Chicagoans take St. Patrick’s Day seriously. Irish, until recently, was estimated to be the top ancestry of our great city. Tomorrow morning the Chicago River will be dyed green and 800,000 people will gather to observe the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade (fun fact: Harrison Ford running through the parade as Dr. Kimble in The…
Sheridan Road Magazine Interview
The March issue of Sheridan Road hit mail boxes today, and I’m thrilled to be the subject of this month’s The Interview column. Answering interview questions in my kitchen while having photos taken was great fun (and more challenging than you’d think!). I’ve included the full interview below – I hope you’ll enjoy reading about…
Care Package | Dorie Greenspan’s Lucky Charm Brownies
Have you ever loved an experience so much that you mourn the ending long before said experience is over? A few weekends ago, our daughter Hannah flew home from boarding school for a long weekend. Not to celebrate a birthday or a holiday, but to just be home. We spent our time as most mothers…
Taco Night | Southwestern Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa and Avocado Lime Crema
Be honest. Don’t you think most fish tacos are bland, bland, bland? Do you consistently order them at your local Mexican joint, then scan the table, coveting your companion’s dinner three bites in? I can’t be the only one! I’ve come up with a solution for all of us. A fast, easy, and economical one…
Sweets | Chocolate-Peanut Butter Mousse Parfaits
When I was growing up, my mother cooked almost every night. Going out was reserved for special occasions and the rare evenings when she was too exhausted to think about putting food on the table. On those nights when we sensed a crack in her resolve, my sister and I would lobby for KFC, where…
Greens + Things | Seared Steak Salad with Blackberries and Goat Cheese
Whenever I gather friends for lunch, salad is the number one request. It feels virtuous and leaves room for dessert, allowing us to linger in conversation without a food coma. Certain boxes need to be checked though, before I’ll put it on the table. Will it delight their tastebuds in a new way? Is it…
Nibble | Moroccan-Spiced Roasted Carrot Hummus with Toasted Almond and Carrot Top Gremolata
Did you burst out of the gates with a new-year-new-you attitude on New Year’s Day? Full disclosure: I’ve lost my resolve as January comes to a close. Our family just returned from a ski trip to Telluride where we indulged in everything from an in-room dinner of beef short ribs over mushroom risotto to a…
(Mostly) Make-Ahead | Seared Salmon and Lemon Dill Sauce with Red Rice, Pistachio and Arugula Salad
Seared salmon is a staple in our home. In fact, it’s the only fish preparation my definitively non-fish loving son will eat without complaint! Once you make it this way, I doubt you’ll ever go back. The salad is best at room temperature, so you can serve it immediately or prepare it a day in advance…
Nibble | Italian Sausage and Herbed Ricotta Crostini
These easy to make crostini are an elevated, bite-sized play on Italian sausage sandwiches. They are ideal for a Superbowl spread or as a starter for your next casual get together. Make a few without sausage – your vegetarian guests will thank you.
Celebrate | Coconut & Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Dessert heaven. Tender vanilla cake mingles with sweet tart lemon curd and an irresistible cream cheese frosting to become the ultimate indulge-worthy dessert. You will have frosting left over and this is a very good thing – refrigerate and use sandwiched between graham crackers or wafer cookies, or dollop onto raspberry laced weekend pancakes.