Scallops to Love and Weekend of Love!

                              "Sauteed scallops with garlic and lemon are a perfect way
                                          to begin a Valentine's Day dinner"




Love is in the air and isn't it fitting that I just arrived home from my cousin's wedding? Love was certainly evident in Phoenix as we began the weekend meeting Zoe at the airport, and then devouring Mexican food at Filiberto's,

Buttery Garlic Parmesan Potato Chips (Eat At Your Own Discretion!)

Consider this fair warning. These potato chips are addicting. They are deadly. They are damn good. Perfect for dip season. Or not. Perfect for hiding in the pantry with. Perfect for midnight gorging. Or closet eating. Don't say I didn't warn you. These are damn good chips.

I love potato chips. They are my vice and I shouldn't keep them in the house. And really I haven't bought them

Chicken Sofrito or Fry Me Lightly

 Baby, it's been cold outside. Today we are finally going to reach a high of 20 degrees. It will feel like summer, after what we've been through. Mind you, it's not like living in the Midwest. We at least have sunshine, which manages to give me a false hope that it is warm outside. That is until I poke my nose out the door and discover that it still hasn't warmed up.

You see my desk is on

Will the Real Chicken Scarpariello Please Stand Up?

As of yesterday I'm not sure I had ever heard of Chicken Scarpariello, though I have heard of chicken with Italian sausage and peppers. In any case I'm not sure this is either. It appears that Chicken Scarpariello is a dish that contains chicken and hot peppers. Maybe mushrooms. Maybe wine. It is an Italian American dish and that's about as far as I got. Doesn't matter. What matters is

Chicken Vesuvio, A Wedding, and a Great Shabbat Dinner

Chicken Vesuvio




 It only took me 33 years
to discover Chicken Vesuvio. Pretty pathetic, I know. After all I grew up off
of I57, spent numerous years trailing my parents to various restaurants in Chicago and yet had never
had Chicken Vesuvio. I think they were holding out on me. It took going back
for a wedding 21 years ago to bring it to my attention. And it has held it ever
since.

Patatas Bravas and Why I Hate Tapas

Patatas Bravas




I want to go on record. I will be blunt. Do not take this the wrong way, but I hate tapas. Just so you understand, it is not that I hate the actual tapa, it is just that I hate tapas restaurants. Do you want me to tell you why? If you don’t, stop reading NOW. While traveling between graduations we ate at several well regarded restaurants. I did not realize they were tapas

Ziti Al Fresco

Her return meant Ziti Al Fresco. Beautiful, spicy, rich, warm and basily, (it’s a new word) Ziti Al Fresco. The adjectives suit her and also the ziti. Yes, my daughter is home. There is no better feeling. At least until my son gets home. And then that is the best feeling because it means we will all be together at least for a short while until one of them leaves me again. I don’t know

Lotsa Garlic Pasta or Pasta 4444

It is one of those days-again. I haven’t gotten to the grocery so I’m left with my pantry and a few staples. My staples always include garlic and pasta. I make sure I never run out of these because then I’m guaranteed that I can eat. Actually with pasta there are many ways to go but today I’m sticking with the basics. Aglio olio as the Italians would say. I’m not sure that my recipe is

The Easiest, Most Awesome, Party Chicken in the World or Chicken Marbella

The Easiest, Most Awesome, Party Dish Chicken in the World or Chicken Marbella

(Adapted from Silver Palate)



I’m feeling really generous today. I don’t know why but I guess I can think of a few good reasons. Many of you may not know that I am a CASA volunteer which means I am appointed by the courts to be the eyes, ears and voice of a child during the court process. Often these are

Mexican Garlic Lime Shrimp

As I look outside my window again I see my world engulfed in snow. Lots of snow. Denver had one of the best fall seasons that I remember, but now Mother Nature seems to make us want to pay. Suddenly I find myself thinking of all those warm places I’ve been and have yet to go. No, I don’t want to shovel. Most likely it will melt-soon, I hope.



Which leads me to think of Mexico. Beautiful