I realized as I was shuffling through my huge oversized recipe drawer trying to find a recipe amongst the 3,000 torn, withered, and stained pieces of paper, that it was time I went through them and figured out which ones I really want to save. It’s bad enough my kids will have to clean out [...]

The French have a way of taking basic ingredients – potatoes, grated cheese, and a little cream – and transforming them into a heavenly gratin.  Potato gratin may sound and taste fancy but it isn’t complicated to prepare.. In order to make the dish properly you’ll need a vegetable slicer that can cut potatoes paper [...]

The Jewish holidays are right around the corner and briskets are moving quickly off supermarket shelves. It’s a rare family that won’t be enjoying this flavorful cut at their Rosh Hashanah table.  Although it’s a tough piece of meat when cooked long and slow it’s tender and delicious. My children fondly remember my mother’s brisket [...]

My grandmother and mother were never caught off guard if guests came unannounced. There was always a tin of cookies or a tea cake tucked away for just that purpose.  I’ve picked up where they left off and make sure to have something sweet on hand for that eventuality. Biscotti are twice baked cookies that [...]

In The Way We Cook by Sheryl Julian and Julie Riven, we included a recipe for bread and butter pickles that Sheryl’s mother used to make.  I’ve adapted the recipe slightly.  The beauty of these pickles is that they can be made and eaten on the same day.  No fussing, no jars, or sterilizers just [...]

Ever since reading the memoir, “Blood, Bones, and Butter” by Gabrielle Hamilton, I’m obsessed with radishes dipped in softened French butter and Himalayan sea salt (pink).  It’s my favorite hor d’hoeuvres this summer as are Triscuit crackers with Dijon mustard and sardines.  Might sound odd but are truly delicious. I even got my granddaughter, Layla, [...]

I’m not only a proud Nonna but a very proud Mama so check out this piece on my son Tony on NPR’s Radio Boston. You’ll be able to pick up some tips on grilling and hear about B .Good, a great healthy fast food restaurant that has the best French fries – that aren’t fried [...]

If you’re having children, grandchildren, friends or guests for brunch to celebrate Mother’s Day here’s a little help from cookangel.   I have the best of both worlds – Cookangel (who just happens to be my son Tony) will prepare the meal and I get to enjoy the food and company without even lifting a [...]

Mother’s Day is on Sunday and I’m trying to figure out what to make that won’t involve a lot of preparation and perhaps can be made ahead of schedule.  A brunch/lunch sort of deal.  Hoping the grandchildren will visit as well as any of my children that are in town.  I’m turning to COOKANGEL, a [...]

I’m finally back to blogging after a long hiatus.  Life took over for a while.  We recently went skiing with all 4 grandchildren which was a ball.  Nothing like seeing the little tykes bomb down a mountain without any poles.  They made it look so simple which was extremely humbling.  What wasn’t simple was figuring [...]