In my family there are few recipes that hold more meaning and versatility than crêpes. I can remember helping my mother make crêpes when I was about the same age as Madeline in the photo above. She would first cook them, then meticulously place a Cool Whip bowl upside down to trim them in perfect circles. My important job was always to eat the edges she trimmed off (I ...
Entrees
Celebrating Tomatoes- Tomato Pie
A few years ago some local agricultural gurus had the brilliant idea to gather annually with fellow farming foodies to celebrate tomatoes and so the Tomato "Feastival" was born. Louise Divine and Herman Holley opened their beautiful farm, Turkey Hill and hosted the flocks of hungry tomato enthusisats for several years until the crowds outgrew their space. Last year the ...
Fresh Catch! Grouper From the Gulf
Isn't there a saying that the best kind of friend to have is a friend with a boat? That is so true- especially here, so close to the beautiful blue water of the Gulf. Last Sunday, I had a million things I needed to do but Max and I decided socially distancing- miles from shore- was a better way to spend the day. I am so glad we went to sea. Not only did we have a ...
Oysters and Pearls
Oysters are fascinating. As Jonathan Swift is credited with stating, "It is a bold man that first ate an oyster". I recently had the privilege of learning a little more about these bivalves as I spent a day with Deborah Keller, also known as OysterMom, on her oyster beds in Oyster Bay near Shell Point, FL. Our mutual friend Quincie Hamby had brought us together to plan a ...
Shrimp Creole for Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday is right around the corner and this is the perfect time of year to make one of my favorite New Orleans recipes, Shrimp Creole. If you are giving up meat for Lent -- or you just want a simple new recipe to enjoy seafood -- this is a great option. When I make it at home, I often start the rice in my rice cooker and have the entire dish assembled and ready to eat by ...