Split Pea Soup

Cooking broth with herbs and meat

Split pea soup is open to a lot of interpretation. To blend or not to blend seems to be at the top of the list.  Some soups are best pureed and smooth, but we like our split pea with a bit of texture.  We split the difference and pureed a portion of the soup, leaving…

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Rustic Pear Galette

Freshly baked dessert with whole pear

The first thing I remember learning how to make is pie dough. I love making pies, but, if you are pressed for time, the galette is a quick alternative to a pie. The galette tastes like a pie without the top crust, and I love the rustic look.  You can change the filling based on…

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Panettone Breakfast Bread Pudding

Pouring syrup over French toast breakfast

Panettone is a moist, light, Italian oven baked bread that only shows up in stores around the Christmas Holiday.  It comes lightly sweetened with delicate turkish raisins and orange peel, so no extra sugar is needed.  If you can’t find Panettone, you can use Brioche or Challah bread.  In this case, add 2 teaspoons of…

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Chili Con Carne

Mexican dish with avocado and cilantro

This is a chili that will surprise everyone. The list of ingredients seems long, but each one is worth it! The cocoa powder at the end adds an extra layer of flavor that you don’t expect in a beef chili. I’ve served this chili over a thick piece of cornbread in the center of the…

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Rice Pilaf

Baked rice with fresh herbs

When we lived in Paris this was one of the first recipes I learned to make. It’s a simple and classic french dish that is the perfect compliment to a roasted chicken. When I was learning French, cooking was my favorite way to learn the language.  This method produces perfect rice every time. You will…

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Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots

Chopped bacon and shallots with green beans

This is a great side for almost any main course and makes great leftovers.  This recipe is ideal because you can cook the green beans ahead of time and finish them minutes before your main course is done.  Cooling the beans under water will help them to keep their beautiful green color and stop them…

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Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Breakfast pancakes with berries

I think breakfast is my favorite meal – especially on the weekends.  I love the consistency and richness of ricotta cheese and putting in a pancake seems like a brilliant idea. The brightness of the lemon and ginger help to lighten it up.  These pancakes take a little more time to cook but they are…

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Gingerbread Waffles with Pear syrup and Ginger Cream

Square waffle with cream on blue patterned plate

I very fondly remember the first time I had these waffles.  I was on a girls weekend in Connecticut with my dear friend Joan and she made these for Sunday Brunch.  I remember thinking they were so sophisticated for a waffle; I had never tasted anything like it.  They require a bit of effort, but for…

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