poultry

maple mustard chicken

Posted on Feb 2, 2017

I happen to think chicken and a BBQ hold some sort of family memory for nearly everyone. For me growing up, having grilled chicken without a giant fruit salad and fluffy rice was unthinkable. My favorite adult memory of grilled … more →




french lentil soup

Posted on Sep 5, 2016

Fall is around the corner and my culinary thoughts go to soups. If you’re in a pinch for time, then go ahead and make a standard lentil soup with brown lentils – it’ll cut your time by more than half. … more →




gluten-free chicken marsala

Posted on Feb 3, 2016

When my kids were little, this recipe represented their first knowing bite of a mushroom, that is, a mushroom on purpose. Somehow, smothered in this lovely sauce made it palatable for a little kid. Now they love it. This is … more →




chicken breakfast sausage

Posted on May 25, 2014

Trying to find chicken breakfast sausage without nightshades (paprika) has proven to be impossible. I’m glad really, because making these myself is quite easy, thanks to my neighborhood butcher who grinds organic, boneless, skinless chicken thighs for me. The flavor … more →




gluten-free pasta primavera

Posted on Mar 8, 2013

Half soup, half pasta – all hearty and filling. I love one pot meals especially when it’s cold, and believe it or not, it’s COLD in San Diego. Hail greeted me in the backyard when I came home from errands … more →




chicken and mushrooms

Posted on Jan 28, 2013

My Hungarian husband is always asking me to make him a good “szaft-y” dish – that’s Hungarian for a dish in a good sauce. When I watched Ina Garten take a Napa, CA vacation where she showcased this wonderful recipe, … more →




chicken caesar salad

Posted on Mar 9, 2012

The tuna industry will tell you that tuna salad is America’s favorite salad. I even found a coleslaw blog, also “America’s favorite salad”. The point is, we like our salads. Chef, 3-bean, jello (if you want to go way back), … more →




turkey stock and soup

Posted on Nov 20, 2011

We have a post Thanksgiving tradition that wouldn’t be the same without Turkey Soup. It started with my mother-in-law, Anka, and I’m happy to carry the tradition forward. As much a tradition as Thanksgiving itself, the day after offers a … more →




turkey shortcake

Posted on Nov 20, 2011

I can’t, for the life me, think why my dad called this dish “turkey shortcake.” It’s got to be a weird southern thing. Nevertheless, the Thanksgiving leftover I remember most fondly from my childhood is this oddly named dish consisting … more →




white bean chicken chili

Posted on Nov 2, 2011

Every year, when I was a kid, my parents hosted a soup party. They found dozens and dozens of soup cups at a restaurant supply store and my mom would make a traditional chicken noodle, hearty Vegetable Soup and a … more →




bbq chicken

Posted on Jun 7, 2011

Summer is just around the bend and for my family that means barbecuing. This is a quick recipe that requires few ingredients and a hot grill. Using ready made, gluten-free BBQ sauce makes it a snap and it tastes great … more →




butterflied roast chicken

Posted on Apr 24, 2011

I love roasting chickens for a number of reasons – the smell for one will make your family ravenous, and when you do two at a time, you get great leftovers. Not to mention carcasses for stock. But I don’t … more →




rice pilaf with noodles

Posted on Apr 17, 2011

Whenever we go to one of our favorite Greek restaurants, my son and I can’t eat the rice because it has those threads of noodles in it. I saw Lucinda Scala Quinn demonstrate a similar dish, so here’s my gluten-free … more →




fajitas

Posted on Apr 14, 2011

Living in Southern California, I have an apparent fondness for Mexican and Mexican-inspired food that borders on obsessive. Cilantro, onions, limes, garlic and peppers are staples in my kitchen and the family knows that if they don’t like a particular … more →




chicken strips

Posted on Mar 17, 2011

Who knew that a whole generation of children would best identify chicken as a strip or nugget? If they’re gonna eat ’em, best to make them homemade. When I do make these, I double the recipe because the kids love … more →




rolled tacos

Posted on Mar 16, 2011

When I want to use up leftover Pot Roast, this is a great, savory snack or dinner. I don’t like to serve fried food very often, but when the family craves it, I figure if they’re going to eat it, … more →




chicken chili

Posted on Mar 1, 2011

Using thighs makes this chili rich and hearty. With a small side salad and a piece of Pamela’s luscious cornbread, you have an amazing meal that only gets better the next day. This recipe was inspired by the brilliant Lucinda … more →




greek salad

Posted on Feb 7, 2011

This is a great side salad with dinner alongside Chicken Souvlaki and Saffron Rice. Or have it for lunch on it’s own or with leftover Chicken Souvlaki on top to make it heartier. If you can withstand dairy, creamy feta … more →




chicken souvlaki

Posted on Feb 6, 2011

I love this Greek word for skewered meat. I like just about any Greek food, for that matter. This is a nutritious, yet fun meal for your kids, after all, who doesn’t like meat on a stick? For us with … more →




curried zucchini soup

Posted on Jan 19, 2011

This is a great soup when it’s cool outside or for a light spring supper as well. Lemon adds a surprising freshness. Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Yield: 4-6 servings (about 5 cups) Special tool: immersion blender … more →




lentil soup

Posted on Jan 11, 2011

I adapted this from the Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins – fantastic cookbook. You can serve this as a light meal on its own or with a salad. To make it more substantial, add several slices … more →




hot wings & drummettes

Posted on Jan 2, 2011

Okay, once in a while, I think these are okay, especially for the Super Bowl or Monday night football. At least if you make them homemade, you know what your family is eating and it’s free of trans fat. I … more →




homemade chicken stock

Posted on Nov 14, 2010

A few nights ago we had a wonderful rotisserie chicken dinner with our oldest friends, Dan and Debbie, and their three darling girls. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I was eying their chicken carcasses. When they told me they were … more →




easy risotto

Posted on Nov 4, 2010

I would never have thought that risotto could be this easy. I’ve stood patiently in front of the stove, stirring religiously, after each half cup addition of stock, but this recipe from Ina Garten’s new cookbook How Easy Is That? … more →




chicken wrap

Posted on Nov 2, 2010

This also works great with deli turkey. This is my kid’s second lunch after school. Total time: 5 minutes Yield: 1 wrap 1 brown rice tortilla (I buy Trader Joe’s brand) lots of mayonnaise (Best Foods is GFCF) or hummus … more →




indian chicken pilaf

Posted on Nov 2, 2010

I personally like to spice my Indian food until my nose runs and I require three glasses of water just to get through the meal. But my kids are a different matter. This is a recipe I’ve adapted to their … more →




vegetable soup

Posted on Oct 21, 2010

This is the tastiest fat free soup! In fact, I hate even leading off with that, because “fat-free” is often times flavor-free. Not the case here. This is one of those recipes where you just throw all the ingredients into … more →




garlic rosemary chicken

Posted on Oct 6, 2010

One of the great things about living in southern California is that you have access to the outdoor grill pretty much all year around. If you don’t however, a grill pan (and a good overhead vent) will do the trick. … more →




chicken salad

Posted on Sep 29, 2010

This is a really versatile salad that can be used in a sandwich, a green salad or wrapped in lettuce leaves, as shown here. I send this to school with my kids with rice crackers for dipping. Prep time: 10 … more →




turkey on the grill

Posted on Sep 22, 2010

You can also use chicken breasts or thighs. Prep time: 5 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Yield: Serves 4 2 turkey tenders (about 1 lb. total) 1 recipe Cilantro Pesto Coat thighs with cilantro pesto and marinate for several hours or … more →




no fail roasted chicken

Posted on Sep 20, 2010

Nothing smells like home more than a roasting chicken. I usually roast two at a time. One for dinner and one for any number of other dishes, like Chinese Chicken Salad, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken Wraps… This is from Ina … more →




chinese chicken salad

Posted on Sep 20, 2010

This is my most requested recipe. It’s changed lots over the years, but I’m pretty sure it came from the source of many great recipes – the church potluck. There is a ton of chicken in here and we eat … more →




garlic mustard lemon chicken

Posted on Sep 15, 2010

Super easy and quick! This is great on the BBQ, which tames the acidity of the mustard. My kids love this and it’s great on pork, too. Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Yield: Serves 4 8-10 boneless, … more →




chicken tortilla soup

Posted on Sep 15, 2010

This is my husbands favorite meal and a great way to eat up left over cooked chicken. If you don’t have any leftover, just roast two bone-in breasts at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: … more →




chicken and rice soup

Posted on Sep 15, 2010

This is a staple – hearty and fresh. And it freezes beautifully. Use leftovers from Roasted Chicken. Prep time: 25 minutes Total time: 1 hour Yield: 8-10 servings 2 bone-in chicken breasts 3 T olive oil, divided 2 large carrots, … more →




jambalaya

Posted on Sep 14, 2010

This is one of my favorite things to make for a dinner party because it’s a one pot dish that needs only a green salad to complete the entire meal. Plus, it’s great the next day, too. Don’t be overwhelmed … more →