My Mom has a collection of well-loved cookbooks. Their pages are wrinkled and browned, and covered in handwritten notes and perhaps a bit of food. Some of the cookbooks were written by chefs that were famous in the 70s and 80s. Some are incredibly random. I can’t tell you how my mother got her hands (read more)
side dishes
Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad
I recently hosted an end of summer bash and I wanted to cook up food that celebrates summer flavors. The menu included lots of fruits and veggies like cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, limes, and strawberries. This Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad was a crowd favorite, and some people were surprised to learn that it is (read more)
10 Summertime Side Dish Salads That Aren’t Boring
I love all of the barbecues, picnics, and rooftop parties that fill my calendar during the summer. My mother taught me to never arrive at a party empty-handed, and I just happen to love bringing fun summer side dish salads to parties. These are unique enough to stand out, but also reliable crowdpleasers that are (read more)
Melon Salad with Crispy Prosciutto and Feta
I am a big fan of prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe and honeydew, but assembling it on skewers to serve at a party can be a little tedious. Using the same basic ingredients, I took things in a different direction. Instead of assembling skewers, I balled up cantaloupe and honeydew, and added feta, crispy prosciutto, basil, and (read more)
Couscous Salad with Pesto, Goat Cheese, and Veggies
This recipe is quick and easy, and so downright delicious that it is absurd. Pearl Couscous is cooked to perfection, and then dressed with store-bought pesto, and topped with thinly sliced sugar snap peas, quartered cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese. The sugar snap peas add the most satisfying crispness to this recipe, and pesto, goat (read more)
Red, White, and Blue Orzo Salad
Ready for a really easy recipe that is perfect to serve on the Fourth of July? This Red, White, and Blue Orzo Salad is made with strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese, and orzo seasoned with balsamic vinegar and it is a fitting addition to your holiday celebration. It’s a bright, colorful, and festive side dish loaded (read more)
BBQ Sweet Potato Chips
Looking for something a little different to bring to a summer barbecue? These BBQ Sweet Potato Chips are surprisingly easy to make, and they are a side dish that pairs perfectly with barbecue food. I tested this recipe several times. I wanted the chips to be thin and crispy. At first I tried hand cutting (read more)
Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil and Bacon Pasta Salad
Make room for this delicious Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil and Bacon Pasta Salad at your next barbecue or picnic. It’s easy to prepare and it is the type of side dish that people just can’t get enough of. I first made this on Memorial Day and brought it to my neighbor’s party and people kept going back (read more)
Sriracha Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli has always been my favorite vegetable. As a kid I would eat heaping portions of it. Recently I while I was filming a video with the United Fresh Produce Association, I tried the roasted broccoli at The Purple Pig, and I was inspired to create my own roasted broccoli recipe. I think that people (read more)
Farro and Butternut Squash Salad with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Arugula
We celebrated my birthday at Davanti Enoteca and we tried the most incredible Farro and Butternut Squash Salad with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Watercress (pictured below). I knew that I needed to recreate the recipe at home so that you could try it too! The farro has a slightly nutty flavor that compliments the tender squash. The (read more)