Entertaining
Hold the FriesDecember 23, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
The secret to a crisp on the outside, soft-pillowy on the inside latke is adding the potato’s natural starch back to them.
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Entertaining
The Ultimate Potluck PartyDecember 18, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
When the days get shorter and temperatures dip into unthinkable territory, I like to have a house full of company. One of my favorite meals to make is a hearty beef stew in my slow cooker. It does all the heavy lifting so I can run out and get some wine.
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Pantry Basics
Fiesta TimeDecember 17, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
Nothing compares to refried beans made from scratch. All you need is a can of pinto beans, an onion, and some olive oil. My recipe also calls for bacon, which I use if I have some in the fridge or freezer. And if not, I don’t sweat it—they still taste pretty darn delicious and make for a vegetarian-friendly filling too.
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Family
Mealtime MagicDecember 15, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
There’s no reason to cook separate meals for the whole family. All you need is a good strategy. Begin with the base of your meal, which is usually where you start adding seasonings. You can control the flavors at this point, and it’s easy to reserve some more mild tasting portions that are perfect for baby.
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Baking
Family MemoriesDecember 14, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
This weekend I set out to make something to bring to a friend’s Hanukkah party, and was reminded of how my husband talks of his grandmother’s rugelach. His mother doesn’t care much for cooking, so it was no surprise she didn’t have the recipe. I wasn’t going to let that get in my way, though, and headed to the kitchen.
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Entertaining
Holiday Entertaining, Manicotti StyleDecember 10, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
One of my favorite dishes to make is manicotti from scratch. These ricotta cheese-filled tubes of pasta are actually very easy to make—the batter comes together in the blender, and guests will be impressed when you tell them they’re 100% homemade. Round out your buffet with a salad of winter greens and roasted root vegetables, an antipasto platter and keep the red wine flowing for a fabulous holiday celebration.
Baking
Gingerbread DreamsDecember 7, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
My mom used to make gingerbread houses when I was kid. They were beautiful and quite elaborate, complete with mini ice cream cones camouflaged as trees under wispy layers of green-tinted royal icing. While we loved breaking into them and eating the remnants as kids, as an adult I’m more of a cake-like gingerbread fan.
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Family
Food of the Month: QuinoaDecember 3, 2009 • Posted by Vivian Manning-Schaffel
I'll admit it: I was afraid of quinoa. The name alone connotes a far away land where palm tree dotted mountain ranges are drenched in blinding sunlight. But its mystique beckoned me from the supermarket shelf, and I gave into its exotic allure. Boy, am I glad I did. It's delicious!
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Family
Going Ape for ApricotNovember 26, 2009 • Posted by Vivian Manning-Schaffel
Apricot is an amazing, healthful fruit to serve to babies. Apricots contain good quantities of Vitamins A (including betacarotene), C and Folate, as well as Potassium and Calcium.
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Baking
Apple Muffin - ReduxNovember 23, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
I have a habit, a compulsion really, of always tinkering with my recipes. It's not so much that I think they need improving—more the quest to always use new ingredients and techniques. Take my apple muffin recipe that came about two years ago after a day of apple picking. There's only so many pies one can make, and eat (or so I try to tell myself).
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Family
Bacteria: The Good, The Bad, and The UglyNovember 19, 2009 • Posted by Vivian Manning-Schaffel
Making your own baby food is tons of fun. And the best place to start is a sparkling clean kitchen.
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Baking
Really Better Banana Bread... No, ReallyNovember 16, 2009 • Posted by Jennifer Perillo
Bourbon and brown butter. Just uttering the words puts me in a good mood. Throw in a few really ripe bananas, and you’ll find me in the kitchen making banana bread.
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Family
Food to Play WithNovember 5, 2009 • Posted by Vivian Manning-Schaffel
When babies reach a certain age (usually after we've spent a few years trying to lift fruit and vegetable stains off of clothes, furniture, and carpeting), parents begin the long and arduous process of instilling the idea that playing with food is a no-no. But we can create some foods for them that are okay - and downright fun -- to stick their little fingers into.
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