Egg-cellent Egg Recipes

Here’s a fact about me that very, very few people know: When I was pregnant with my daughter I didn’t crave ice cream, pickles or greasy cheeseburgers; rather during the last four months of my pregnancy all I could think about was deviled eggs. When would I be able to get my next fix, how many cartons of eggs could I buy without the sales clerk getting suspicious and occasionally, who could I persuade to make them for me. There was one cameraman that I worked with on a regular basis at the TV stationed I was employed at who … Continue reading →

Summer Picnic Food: Kicked Up Sandwiches and Chips

Don’t look now but summer is more than halfway over. Soon those bike paths you’ve been using to save gas will be covered with snow and ice. Now is the time to make the most of summer’s warm days, not only to play outside but also to dine al fresco. A picnic in the park can be a great way to cap off a lazy summer day, but instead of packing the same ol’ bologna sandwiches considering kicking up your outdoor meal with the following recipes. The first is a traditional muffaletta sandwich. The hearty sandwich originated in 1906 at … Continue reading →

Summer Picnic Food—Meaty Italian Sandwiches and Three-Cheese Pasta Salad

Nothing says summer than a picnic in the park. With the Fourth of July holiday right around the corner millions of flag waving families will be trekking to local parks to view the annual fireworks displays. And with space at a premium most will be securing their spots from the early morning, which means packing a lot of food to keep the kids occupied until the big bang goes off at dusk. The following recipes are ideal picnic dishes as neither contains mayonnaise, which tends to spoil when left out in the hot sun too long. The first recipe for … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Picnic Favorites: Super Steak Sandwiches and Strawberry Watermelon Salad

You don’t have to host a backyard blowout to show your pride for our wonderful country this Fourth of July. Rather, a simple family picnic can be just as patriotic. Just remember to pack enough mouthwatering creations for the entire clan and then sit back and watch others set off colorful fireworks as you dine on your delectable dishes. Some of my family’s favorites are listed below. The first is my dad’s signature sandwich. It features one of his all-time favorite ingredients—-steak. But not only do the toppings for this kicked up sandwich complement the star ingredient, the type of … Continue reading →

Incorporating Asparagus into Everyday Dishes

In a previous guest blog I excitedly told you about the notice I received from our local farm announcing that the asparagus season had begun and that my share of the crop was ready to be picked up. Well, I just got back from the farm and I am now the proud owner of six pounds of fresh asparagus. (At $2 a pound how can you go wrong?) My mom was flabbergasted that I bought six pounds given that I am the only one in my family who really enjoys eating asparagus. “You’ll have to eat asparagus morning, noon and … Continue reading →

Super Sandwiches for the Big Bowl Games

My dad is just days away from hosting a HUGE Sugar Bowl party in honor of the most anticipated college football game ever to be broadcast in the state of Hawaii. On New Year’s Day the Aloha State’s beloved UH Warriors will take on the big Dawgs of Georgia in New Orleans. In a previous blog I shared two recipes for jambalaya–a traditional New Orleans’ dish–that will be served at various Sugar Bowl parties throughout the state of Hawaii on game day. (I also noted it will likely be center stage at numerous Bowl Championship Game parties on January 7th … Continue reading →

Cilantro Lime Mango Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Here is a great recipe to try out using fresh cilantro. Cilantro is a strong herb that lends a distinctive crisp and fresh flavor to whatever it’s in. This is what I call a fancy sandwich. The chicken is marinated, the vegetables are then grilled with the chicken, and you even have to make your own condiments for it. Fancy enough to impress guests, and absolutely delicious; you won’t regret going through all the trouble. I adapted this recipe from a similar one I found on all recipes.com. For the Marinade, you will need: 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro … Continue reading →

Twice Delicious: Pot Roast Cheese Steaks

Twice Delicious is a series of recipes dedicated to what I do with my leftovers. I rarely have leftovers except from my crock pot. But I have found that I can’t possibly consider simply reheating the leftovers and serving them to my family as is. That would be akin to offering nothing but bread and water. In fact, I have a child who would opt for bread and water rather than leftovers! Not only would it mean they’d have to eat the same thing twice in a row (apparently that’s forbidden–I wish someone had told me earlier in motherhood!); but … Continue reading →

The Ultimate in Cheesy Goodness: A Versatile Filling

When it comes to cheese, my family is fanatical. I mean seriously. . .my husband puts shredded cheddar cheese where it doesn’t belong. He was thrilled to find that the stores here sell cheese just for frying. My kids ask for shredded cheddar on their oatmeal. (But hey, it gets them to eat oatmeal so why not?) Short of moving to Wisconsin to pay the ultimate in homage to all things cheesy, we are huge cheese fans. The ultimate compliment my husband can pay one of my dishes is this: “Oh honey, this is oozing with cheesy goodness.” So it … Continue reading →

Betcha Never Thought of This—A Sandwich You’ve Got to Try

If you’ve been reading my food blog for a while, you likely know I love sandwiches. In fact, I can easily say there aren’t many sandwiches I don’t like. They make a delicious meal any time of the day. They can be dressed up to feed a party or dressed down to fit into a hectic weekday. Anyway you make them, sandwiches are a delicious choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can imagine my delight when I came across this recipe. It takes the chewiness of a traditional Greek Gyro sandwich and pairs it with classic American-Mediterranean ingredients for … Continue reading →