Melrose Peppers – A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I have talked at length both here and on my Face Book page about the summer glory of Melrose Peppers. They are one of my home town’s claims to fame and a source of joy to Italian cooks in the Chicago area. I grew up eating these in the summer and I anxiously await their… Continue reading Melrose Peppers – A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Barese Sausage with Pasta and Green Bean Salad

It seems like it’s been years since I shared my thoughts and recipes here. I just checked and it has been just about 2 years. I haven’t stopped cooking, far from it, and I have shared a bit on Facebook, but even with all the time retirement and the pandemic gave me I never made… Continue reading Barese Sausage with Pasta and Green Bean Salad

The Morning (or several mornings) After…Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving 2020 is now history. For most of us, it was very different. More intimate, scaled down, and possibly quieter (unless grandchildren were involved). Leftovers haven’t changed much, there are still a lot of them because even if the gathering was smaller, the recipes were not. Several mornings ago, I used my two favorite parts… Continue reading The Morning (or several mornings) After…Thanksgiving Leftovers

Pizza Soup

Soup season is upon us and I have been making many of my old standbys like Chicken and Wild Rice and Roasted Cauliflower Potato Leek. This week I decided to try something new. I came across a recipe for Pizza Soup in a Slow Cooker. I was intrigued, but not too impressed…it was basically open and… Continue reading Pizza Soup

Reflections on Summer and Some Summer Favorites

What a long strange trip this has been. This is not the Summer that any of us were looking forward to. Instead of pools, beaches, and barbecues we’ve had social distancing, masks, and cautious outdoor dining. I know that I am not alone when I say, “Please let it be over!” While there is a… Continue reading Reflections on Summer and Some Summer Favorites