dietary consideration

Garden Basil Lemonade

May 11, 2011
Garden Basil Lemonade

Quick! While the sun is still shining, whip up a batch of this simple, refreshing lemonade. If you like using mint with citrus then it’s a safe bet you’ll like using basil, too. Some of the most popular herbs used for culinary purposes come from the mint family: lavender, oregano, rosemary, sage, and basil, to [...]

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Surf & Turf Tacos

May 5, 2011
Blackened Tuna and Steak Tacos

So no, there  isn’t a huge Hispanic population in Pittsburgh in case you were wondering. And at no point am I doing anything authentic here. But I really think that Mexican-style dishes are my favorite to make. When I call you and ask, “Do you wanna come over for tacos?”, there’s really no way you could [...]

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Now that’s Guacamole!

May 5, 2011
Guacamole

[Original post April 31, 2011] Oh boy oh boy do I love guacamole! And I love making it, too, because then I get to eat it! The secrets are texture and plenty of lime juice and salt. The other ingredients can be adjusted or left out to suit your taste. I have found that people prefer [...]

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Chili Lime Fruit Salad

May 3, 2011
Chili Lime Fruit Salad

You may not be surprised to learn that Pittsburgh has been rainy for 21 out of the past 34 days. It’s no wonder I’m longing for sunshine and summer to get here! So I’ll break the drearies with a summertime post. (And you’ll forgive me if I revive it in melon season…) This stunning and [...]

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Ramp & Pea Pesto Spaghetti

April 30, 2011
Springtime Spaghetti with Wild Ramp & Pea Pesto

It’s springtime in Pittsburgh and the local restaurants and farmers’ markets are serving up the tender young vegetables of spring: morels, fiddleheads, peas,  ramps, and more. This morning I was lucky enough to pick up some ramps and morels from the Mushroom Guy at the Public Market on Smallman. [UPDATE: the Mushroom Guy is actually [...]

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Lemony Egg Salad

April 24, 2011
Egg Salad

Egg salad, an elegant solution to using up your hard-boiled Easter eggs, is an underrated indulgence. Largely because of the hassle and time it takes to boil, cool, and shell the eggs, most people opt for low-maintenance pasta salads these days. This holiday, take advantage of the Bunny’s bounty with this version of the old-school [...]

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Perfect Oven Fries

April 23, 2011
Perfect Oven Fries

For me, french fries are simply a vessel to carry delicious ketchup (Heinz, of course). It’s a shame the potatoes have to be doused in vats of saturated fat before they are fit to carry out their life’s mission. That’s why I try to bake real potatoes at home whenever possible. This recipe for oven-baked [...]

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Potato & Cheese Pierogies

April 20, 2011
How to Make traditional Pierogies

Ah, the most revered of Pittsburgh picnic delicacies- the salty, savory, butter-glistening pierogie. Many Eastern European cultures lay claim to the original, but in Pittsburgh we’re satisfied with lumping it into the general hunky classification. Both my Polish and my Slovak grandmothers enjoyed making and eating pierogies, and their recipes were very similar. Fillings for [...]

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Easter Pavlova with Berries

April 14, 2011
Pavlova with Fresh Berries

Want to wow your family this Easter with a stunning and simple dessert? Try a pavlova – a pillow of marshmallowy meringue topped with sumptuous whipped cream and a sauce of fresh berries and jam. It’s perfect for a light dessert after a summertime meal, but I like to serve it after brunch. There’s nothing [...]

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Cinnamon Bun Cheesecake

April 10, 2011
Cinnamon Bun Cheesecake

I had this idea when I was eating a Cinnabon roll. They make the topping out of cream cheese, so why not make a cheesecake with the same flavors? The crust of this cheesecake is made from cinnamon roll discs. Bake them for half of the time on the package instructions to keep em gooey [...]

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