I have numerous shortcomings as a cook, not the least of which is serving too much food. I have never quite been able to wrap my head around the idea of if I make too many appetizers to amuse my guests’ bouches, they won’t be hungry for dinner. Honestly, my favorite part of ANY dinner…
Grilled Corn Salad with Couscous, Avocado, and Cuke
I love corn and pasta in all their iterations! Summer ends for me when fresh corn disappears from the markets. This is my standard corn salad with the new addition of couscous. You only have a very few more weeks, so make it now~~~ INGREDIENTS 4 ears fresh corn (about 4 cups) 4 Tbsp. olive…
Not Just Another Pasta Salad
I know — we all have a zillion of them. And usually they’re filled to the brim with a a dozen or more ingredients that all intersect, and so all you taste is the dressing. This is my favorite barbecue side dish that celebrates the best of summer. SERVINGS: 8 – 10 SIDE-DISH INGREDIENTS 8…
Bacon Mac and Cheese Attack!
Ingredients This is easy to make and super delicious. Outrageously cheesy, ultra creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper. I used three different cheese and a homemade cheese sauce to take this macaroni and cheese recipe over the top. 2 shallots, peeled 3 cloves…
Carmelitas
For my new friend, Pat. These Carmelitas are a buttery, brown sugar and oats bar with chocolate chips, nuts, and caramel inside. These are a great dessert for a crowd! Super easy to make! Super delish to eat! INGREDIENTS CRUST AND TOPPING 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 2 cups brown sugar,…
Summer Herbed Chicken in a Creamed Corn Sauce
Decadent! All my favorite summer foods. A handful of ingredients and just a few simple steps are all it takes to make this 30-minute creamy chicken and corn one pan meal. The result? A total crowd-pleaser. Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme, plus more for serving…
Watermelon Lime Cooler
We moved to Arizona last summer — at the END of the summer. Sure, it was hot, but the mornings and the evenings were divine. It has been such a great move for us in so many ways. I read several books outside, sitting on the patio, sipping this drink. Good times! Ingredients 1/2 cup…
BLT Corn Summer Salad
Sweet corn, tomatoes, basil — flavors that scream of summer — and bacon, of course, because EVERYTHING tastes better with bacon! Ingredients 6 slices bacon , chopped 6 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels cut from the cob. Note: The freshest corn — field to kitchen — needs nothing to be perfect. But, if your corn isn’t killer sweet, I…
Carne Asada, Street Tacos Style
We grew up on ground beef tacos — and I thought they were delicious at the time, but as I became an adult it was a major revelation to see the vast array of what tacos could be — carnitas (pretty much my fave), chicken, fish, guajillo beef and so many others. INGREDIENTS Marinade: 5 tablespoons low…
Fire and Ice Melon Salad
Serves 8 This is a John Ash recipe. I took a couple of cooking classes from him, and this is one of the recipes we made. It’s a perfect summertime dish to start a lunch or dinner. The heat of the serrano chiles contrasts with the cool, refreshing melon and the mint and lime to…
Chicken Orzo Soup
It’s amazing that I’ve been craving chicken soup in 100 degree weather, but I am — and not any kind of chicken soup but one that is crammed with veggies, pasta, and herbs, and this is what it looks like. And in a feeble attempt to make it healthy, I slid in 2 or 3…
Peach Jalapeno Martini
This comes from Mark and Tony from way, way, WAYYYYYYYY back! Still a super delicious cocktail. Makes two: 4 oz Peach Vodka 2 oz White Cranberry Juice 1 oz Triple Sec Juice of one lime 1 Tsp. Sugar Add ice to shaker and two slices of Jalapeno (take out the seeds). Muddle the ice and Jalapeno a bit – not too…
Cafe Barber 