Mariel here. A lamb recipe right after Easter? Sure, why not! After finishing two deadlines for work, I’m short on words today, but I will say this: these are incredibly easy to make, everyone in my family inhaled them, and they work equally well rolled into a pita or speared by toothpicks. Make them, they’re[…]
Roasted Grape and Blue Cheese Bites
Mariel here. I’ve always been an insatiable fruit fiend. My father is very much the same way so I suspect I picked up this trait from him, but even as a tot, I’d reach for a real plum over a sugar plum – a party trick that must’ve made my parents just brim with pride.[…]
Healthier Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Healthier Spinach and Artichoke Dip Serves 8-10 Ingredients: 5-oz clamshell of fresh baby spinach – $3.00 8-oz block of reduced fat cream cheese, softened to room temp – $1.69 1 cup (8-oz) fat-free plain yogurt – $1.78 1½ cups part skim mozzarella, shredded – $2.79 14-oz can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped – $2.99[…]
Asian Chicken Salad Tartlets
Asian Chicken Salad Tartlets Makes about 50 Tartlets Note: The chicken salad can be prepared the day before. Fill the tartlet shells with the salad just before serving. Ingredients: 1¾ lbs. cooked chicken (about 4 cups), cut into small cubes – $4.99 3 packages frozen Phyllo tartlet shells – $5.07 ½ cup peanut or canola[…]
Honey & Butter-Glazed Pretzel Bites with Roasted Garlic
Mariel here. Every morning, I head out onto the mean streets of NYC and pound it out on the pavement for a full hour. Rain or shine, snow or wind, this daily jog helps clear my head and de-stress my perpetually anxious soul before hunkering down for an honest day’s work. It also has the[…]
Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crostini
Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crostini Makes about 20 crostini Ingredients: 3 medium beefsteak, jersey or vine-ripened tomatoes, quartered and seeded – $3.98 3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced 1 teaspoon sugar – stock ¼ teaspoon salt – stock Freshly ground black pepper – stock 2 Tablespoons olive oil – stock 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar –[…]
Spinach-Ricotta Spread on Crispy Parmesan Squares
I’ve become a serious deadbeat in the kitchen. Apparently my culinary inspiration has gone the way of the Walkman and every week I scratch my head over what to make for Feast. Stew Leonard’s prepared foods have become my new bestie – ditto for Progresso soups and frozen ravioli – and gone are the days[…]
White Pizza with Sweet Pears and Balsamic-Glazed Figs
Mariel here. I’m at a loss for words today – back-to-back deadlines and a few weeks of working straight through the weekend have all but sapped my capacity to think. Thankfully, a plethora of writing assignments has only stoked my appetite, so whenever I’m looking for a break from my laptop, I’ll pop into the[…]
Valerie’s Fig and Olive Tapenade with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Valerie’s Fig and Olive Tapenade with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Serves 14 Note: This can be prepared 2 to 3 days ahead of time and I whipped it up in less than 30 minutes! To toast walnuts, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the chopped nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake[…]