When most people think of cooking a summer dish, soup probably doesn't immediately come to mind. Summer warrants cool and refreshing, not hot and comforting. Have you ever tried chilled soup? They're the most refreshing appetizer to any summer meal and they're simple to make. My mom was heralded for her Chilled Cucumber Soup. It always perked eye brows and taste buds whenever it was served. She usually whipped up a fresh batch before we went over someone's house for dinner. The cuisinart would be humming as the cucumbers and yogurt and … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Kids to Make Lemonade from Lemons
June 22, 2011 By 6 Comments
"You only live once, but, if you do it right, once is enough"- Mae West. This past weekend we traveled to Baltimore for Father’s Day. It’s the only weekend this entire summer we’ll be in town so inevitably every second is mapped out. That’s one of the challenges with marrying your high-school sweetheart—we’re constantly shuttling ourselves between two sets of families (who live 5 miles apart) trying to play fair to both. Over the years things have gotten much better. We no longer switch between houses each night. We unload our bags and … [Read more...]
Judy’s Chicken Salad with Mango Chutney
June 20, 2011 By 6 Comments
It is finally consistently hot here in the concrete jungle so I wanted to try to replicate a dish of Mom’s that celebrates summertime: light and refreshing with some zest and crunch. Judy’s Chicken Salad with Mango Chutney immediately came to mind—actually finding that recipe was a different story. I have such bitter-sweet memories of this meal. The last time I remember eating the dish was at my baby shower for my first child, ten years ago. As per usual, Mom was the consummate hostess. She somehow pulled off a surprise shower for me with … [Read more...]
FRIDAY-FOOD-FRENZY… QUICK SUMMER RECIPES
June 17, 2011 By 2 Comments
Everyone has summer on the brain. The weather is warm. Schools are letting out. Kids are headed to camps. This week's Friday-Food-Frenzy recipes celebrate summertime. They're quick-and-easy requiring very few ingredients and, they're light and refreshing to taste! The first recipe is more like a healthy snack. I always remember Mom placing green grapes in the freezer to later peel and eat as a nice frozen treat. This recipe, inspired by a good friend and cook, Claire Abenante, adds just a few unsuspected ingredients to the grapes that … [Read more...]
