It’s been a little warm, so I wanted a salad or something cool to eat rather than a hot meal. I decided to try a cold couscous salad, and I made a green salad to go with it. We have plenty of salad greens and herbs growing right now. Plus it’s pea pickin’ time around here. I like to make my meals based on what’s available. In the summer it will depend on what’s ripe or ready to use after I’ve visited the garden and brought some fresh things inside.

(more…)

School is over for this year for us. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities. One event was the track potluck. It’s right after practice, parents can come, and you are assigned something to bring. I work 40 minutes from the school and home, so I stopped at the store and picked up some cutup fruit. It’s always a big hit, and I didn’t have to worry about how to keep it fresh while I was at work. However, the best thing I saw there was a really fast salad that one girl put together in less than 5 minutes.
(more…)

When I was in college, a small investment saved me hundreds of dollars in my take-out budget. I figured out how I could stiff the pizza parlor by making delicious pizza at home. I had stumbled upon the baker’s secret weapon: the baking stone. (more…)

This soup is a family favorite.  It’s a chunky soup with lots of flavor.  I usually make a double batch and refrigerate or freeze half for another day. 

Olive Oil

1 clove garlic

1 cup chopped onion (about 1 med)

1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)

2 cans navy beans

1 can chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes

3/4 lb Kielbasa

thyme

bay leaf

minced parsley

rubbed sage

basil

(more…)