Entertaining

May 11, 2011

I’m Sorry Risotto

I didn’t have time today to go to the flower store. I didn’t want to bake you cookies or a cake, because we all know my track record when it comes to baking. And a simple note just didn’t seem like it would cut it. So to make up for the absent post on Monday, I made you this. Fava bean risotto made with fava bean stock. If you haven’t met a fava bean before, hold on to your hat. They look like a much larger, thicker, softer (faster, stronger) english pea pod; they happen to be in season; and […]

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May 6, 2011

Love Letter to Smoosh

Some people collect stamps. Coins. Spoons. Automobiles. Things that are orange. Even small, porcelain cat figurines. I collect moms. Always have. It isn’t something that I consciously decided to do. It was just something that happened. I’d make a friend and in a matter of time, I had also bonded with his or her mother. And their mother’s friends. And so on. I guess I am just a sucker for a squishy, marshmallow hug from a mom. Or the way they know how to fix the bow on your dress or clean the dried ketchup from your face with a […]

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May 4, 2011

Cinco Ways To Celebrate

I don’t really like holidays. I love holidays. And if I can find any reason to celebrate, I will. I relish all opportunities to be with friends, covered in streamers, holding sparklers, and drinking champagne. I’m even considering going full tilt for Boxing Day this year. With lots of decorated boxes. And if you’re questioning my enthusiasm at all, let me tell you this: I’ve been known for creating my own holidays when there are none to be found on the calendar. Like Funuary. My super rad replacement for the less enticing sounding month of “January,” during which every day […]

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April 18, 2011

Passover Pie

Apologies for the whisper. I’ve lost my voice to a nasty head and chest cold. I’ll do my very best to annunciate and hopefully you can still hear me. But definitely do not worry about me, because I’m going to be fine in no time. Because tonight is Passover dinner with the family. And Passover dinner means matzo ball soup. Which is Yiddish for magic whisper-voice potion. And here’s another wonderful thing about Passover – it is filled with a lot of flavorful and useful sodium-free ingredients. Like horesradish, parsley, and of course, matzo. For a few years now, I’ve […]

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March 4, 2011

Salt-Free Ranch Revealed

Ok. Now I know how my parents felt when my brother and I begged for a puppy. After weeks of being told “no” and that “just because” is a perfectly acceptable answer, they finally caved in. And Snickers, our cocker spaniel that eventually went blind and deaf but was a cuddle bug all the same, was eventually welcomed to the family. Arm, twisted. So after weeks of receiving wonderful emails from you all, requesting the ingredients for the secret low sodium ranch dressing – that I was going to save for the book – I just couldn’t resist any longer. […]

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February 25, 2011

Oscar Worthy Apps

So the Academy snubbed you out of an Oscar nod. Again. And apparently Wolfgang Puck is busy on Sunday evening. Already. That leaves you, your gaggle of pals, and your own creativity to turn this weekend into an award winning celebration – with or without Hollywood’s help. If you plan on hosting an Oscar Watching Party, there’s no need to go into a Black Swan panic. The recipes below will surely turn you and your treats into the stars of the evening – watch out Anette Benning. And between the top-shelf snacks and your expert analysis of this year’s fashion […]

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February 14, 2011

Cute As A Cupcake

Last Friday, as soon as 5:00pm hit the clock, it was clearly the hour for happy hour. I rushed home, curled my hair, curled my lashes, and put on that favorite pair of jeans (not to be outdone by the high-heeled boots). TGIFriday had barely commenced, and I was already out on the town, painting it red. Or green. Or whatever color means that you are taking this city by storm and no one can stop you. Which would be great if any part of that was true. Because by 5:00pm on Friday, I was actually stuck in traffic after […]

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February 11, 2011

Big Love, Big News, Big Treats

Love food. Love others. But most of all, love yourself. That’s the message of today’s post and my attempt to tie three big topics together under one little photo of a chocolate covered quinoa treat. To begin, I wanted to give a quick update about next week’s “Love Your Heart Recipe Rally.” (BIG LOVE) Yes, the whole idea was a bit last minute, but amazingly, in just a few days, some wonderful bloggers – none of whom have any low sodium dietary restrictions – have joined the Rally and have agreed to take on the challenge of cooking food with […]

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February 4, 2011

Sausage Pepper Poppers

Sausage Pepper Poppers. Try saying that ten times fast. No seriously, try it. It’s hard. So if you’re looking for something much easier to do, you should try making these bite-sized, low sodium snacks instead. All you need is some baby peppers (of the bell or jalapeno variety), some ground meat (turkey, pork, beef, or chicken…any kind will do), some fresh herbs and spices (fennel, cumin, paprika, and onion powder work well), and your creative caps (which needed to be dusted off anyways). In a small bowl, make your own sausage, which basically consists of the ground meat, any spices […]

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February 2, 2011

Wassabi Edamame

Today’s Super Bowl post is dedicated to the one true reason (besides the gluttony of food) that I sit down and watch football games. Commercials. And to fully celebrate that truth, let’s begin with this simple video. Roll it, Budweiser. If you haven’t guessed it yet – and hey, it’s in the title – I’m paying homage to not only some of the greatest Super Bowl advertising, but one of the greatest bar food bites: wasabi snacks. Now, traditionally, these crunchy treats are made with peas and loads of sodium. But thanks to a suggestion from one of my food […]

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