Summer in a glass: Strawberry-infused Vodka Cooler with Basil

With just five ingredients—strawberry-infused vodka, fresh basil, simple syrup, lemon juice and club soda—this cocktail is as cool and easy as summer itself. Recipe below.

Strawberry Vodka Cooler with Basil

So suddenly, kids are back in school. And I’m getting frantic emails about recipes to try and beaches to check out before summer’s over. How did that happen? Thanks to overly hectic schedules and unseasonably cool temperatures (which we love, don’t get me wrong), summer seems to have slipped out the back door on us. Continue reading “Summer in a glass: Strawberry-infused Vodka Cooler with Basil”

Greek-inspired, weeknight-easy: Lamb Chops with Feta and Olives

A marinade with red wine vinegar and lemon juice quickly tenderizes flavorful lamb shoulder chops. Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onion and lemon zest add even more flavor. Recipe below.

Lamb Chops with Feta and Olives

For me, grabbing lamb when I see it in the store is almost automatic. Ground lamb for weeknight-quick burgers, cooked rare, a leg of lamb for a special holiday feast or maybe lamb rib chops when I’m feeling extravagant. Or, most often, lamb shoulder chops—cheap, flavorful and with a chewiness that can be easily tamed with a trick or two. Continue reading “Greek-inspired, weeknight-easy: Lamb Chops with Feta and Olives”

Road trips and dining at the bar

New York Turnpike

For the second time in as many weeks, we did a weekend road trip to upstate New York. About 1,500 miles in three days, part two of the daughter move. And while it was tiring—besides the driving, there was the loading and unloading of boxes and bags, a bookcase, a bike and countless things not starting with B—just looking at the photo above has me ready to get in the car again. Continue reading “Road trips and dining at the bar”

The simple pleasures of grownup taste buds: Linguine with Brussels Sprouts, Feta and Bacon

Quickly browned, then braised with onions and garlic, Brussels sprouts are tossed with feta, bacon and sage and served over pasta. Recipe below.

Linguine with Brussels Sprouts, Feta and Bacon

AT MY OFFICE, THE CREATIVE DEPARTMENT recently did a workshop on presentation skills. Each of us had five minutes to speak on the topic of “What I have learned.” One colleague spoke enthusiastically (to be fair, that’s her default mode of speaking) on learning to love Brussels sprouts. Continue reading “The simple pleasures of grownup taste buds: Linguine with Brussels Sprouts, Feta and Bacon”