One Last Taste of Summer Labor Day weekend always feels like one last chance to enjoy the best of summer cooking - firing up the grill, eating outside, and making the most of late-summer produce. So this week, I’m sharing a mix of recipes that are just right for the long weekend: a few easy grilled favorites, fresh seasonal salads, and a dessert you can make ahead. Whether you’re hosting, heading to a cookout, or just enjoying a quieter dinner at home, there’s something here to help you make...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Three Easy Ways to Host a Summer Picnic One of my favorite ways to entertain in summer is with a picnic-style dinner, either at a summer concert or in the backyard. I learned this style of entertaining from my mom, who loved planning easy, make-ahead meals that could be served almost anywhere. Over the years, Mom became an expert at picnic-style entertaining, whether we were attending a summer concert at the Denver Botanic Gardens, hosting a garden party at home, or tailgating before a Denver...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Keeping Summer Cooking Cool and Easy I’m back! I’ve been away from your inbox for the past month while my husband, Robert, and I moved with our two dogs from Grand Lake, Colorado (at the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park) back down to Denver. After weeks of planning, packing, moving, and unpacking, we’re slowly beginning to feel settled. With most of the kitchen finally unpacked, I’m ready to get back to cooking and sharing recipes with you. This week, I’ve gathered 5 of my...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Father’s Day Dinner, Planned for You Father’s Day always brings back fond memories of my father and the traditions we shared, especially the time we spent together fishing. Those memories still shape the way I think about the day: shared experiences, good food, and time around the table with the people we love. That spirit inspired this collection of 7 complete Father’s Day dinner menus. Each includes a main dish, sides, and dessert, with plenty of recipes you can prepare ahead. Here's a...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Side Dishes to Round Out Your Memorial Day Menu Memorial Day weekend is often all about what’s on the grill, but the side dishes are what make the meal feel complete. And the best part? Many of them can be made ahead, which makes entertaining much easier. For this week’s newsletter, I’m focusing on make-ahead Memorial Day side dishes, from classic cookout favorites like potato salad, coleslaw, and cornbread to a few fresh twists that add color, texture, and a little something unexpected to...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Mother’s Day Breakfast & Brunch Ideas (+ Planning Tips for a Relaxed Morning) Mother’s Day has always held a special place in my kitchen. When my mom, Sally, was alive, it was one of my favorite occasions to honor her with a delicious meal. While my role on this day has changed, those memories are the inspiration behind many of the recipes I develop today. They lead me to share reliable dishes and menus that help you celebrate the women in your life with ease - exactly as my mom would have...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Kentucky Derby Recipes & Entertaining Ideas Every year, the thunder of hooves and the iconic call of “And, they’re off!” mark the Kentucky Derby horse race, one of the most exciting sporting events in America. But beyond the race itself, Derby Day is steeped in tradition, from elaborate hats to refreshing mint juleps. For many families, like mine, it’s something even more personal. My Kentucky-born mother instilled in us a love for the Bluegrass State’s traditions, and we still celebrate with...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Easy, Elegant Ways to Use Fresh Spring Berries It’s spring, which means fresh berries are at their best - sweet, juicy, and full of flavor. While they are delicious by the handful, this is the time to let them shine in your cooking. Today I’m sharing 10 of my favorite berry recipes, starting with Blueberry Chicken Salad with Mango Vinaigrette. (If you have my cookbook “Fresh Tastes" you’ll recognize this recipe because it’s on the cover!). The rest of this collection offers even more ways to...
6 months ago • 2 min read
My Versions of the Masters Menu Favorites The Masters Tournament begins today at Augusta National Golf Club. It’s a sporting event steeped in tradition, from the iconic green jacket to the fact that it's played the same weekend, on the same historic course, every year. So why does a food blogger who doesn’t play golf love the Masters? Because that same sense of tradition extends to the food. The Augusta menu has remained virtually unchanged for decades; it's famously simple and subtly...
6 months ago • 2 min read