My sister taught me this recipe for summer produce at least 25 years ago. It’s awfully good and it’s so easy. It reminds me of a very light and fresh vegetable lasagna without the pasta or any of the work. All you need is an eggplant or two, a big tomato or two (or...
The Best Easy Coleslaw Recipe (no mayo)
This is the very best easy coleslaw recipe I know. I’ve had it for a number of years, and I’ve made it countless times. The person who gave it to me made me promise not to tell anyone where I got it, so I won’t. So what’s good about it? It’s delicious. You...
Brie with Pepper Jelly Peaches
Fresh peach season is so brief that I feel obligated to make the most of it. Toward that end, I offer you Brie with Pepper Jelly Peaches. It’s delicious yet silly easy, and that's my favorite food category ever! Brie with Pepper Jelly Peaches is appropriate for any...
Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles
My dad knocked on the back door a few days ago and handed me a bag of seven or eight cucumbers from my parents’ garden. I cut some up for Princess Persnickety to take with lunch, I made a batch of Tzatziki Sauce, and then I threw together a batch of Refrigerator...
Pasta al Limone
For those days when you just can’t even think anymore, the answer to dinner is Pasta al Limone. Pasta al Limone translates to Lemon-Scented Pasta. It hails from the Naples/Amalfi Coast area of Italy, where they grow the finest lemons in the world. It’s...
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Need a holiday side that seems fancy, yet is easy to make, and travels well? And pairs beautifully with turkey OR ham? I know you’re planning now, and I’ve got you covered. This is a job for Stuffed Acorn Squash. I’ve served these delicious Stuffed Acorn...
Cucumber and Carrot Salad with Ginger Dressing
Cucumber and Carrot Salad with Ginger Dressing is a staple in our house. It’s one of our go-to salads year-round, and we’re especially fond of having it with all sorts of Asian-American dishes. Princess Persnickety is a sushi fan, and Cucumber and Carrot Salad with...
Basil Chimichurri
A couple of days ago my dear friend AC showed up to Party on the Porch with a particularly thoughtful hostess gift: a gallon bag of gorgeous fresh basil. I used some for garnish on some pasta the next day and I still had a ton left. I certainly didn’t need more...
Summer Squash Gratin
I love summer squash, and if you've clicked in here on purpose, I suspect you do, too. I like it sautéed, roasted, breaded and fried. I also REALLY like squash casserole. It's squashy and cheesy with a lovely crunchy cracker crust. I don't make squash casserole...
Fresh Tomato Tart
I was at my parents’ house recently, and my mom was making me take home tomatoes from their garden. (That makes it sound like a bad thing--it’s not.) I guess we were talking about what to do with tomatoes when she announced that a gentleman they know has the best...
Sweet Potato Hummus
I haven’t made Sweet Potato Hummus in a while, and I made it last weekend for a party. It’s one of those things I forget about, and then when I do make it I think, “Why am I not making this all the time?!?” There’s nothing authentic about it, and I don’t care. ...
Fresh Corn Salad
We’ve talked before about how seasonally-dependent we all are on fresh-picked, local, Silver Queen corn. Well, last week my favorite fresh corn dealer let it be known that she’d be back in business on Friday at her usual spot--the side road next to the liquor store. ...













