Strawberries

After a morning of very hot temperatures while taping yesterday in Lebanon at Lester Farms, I am dedicated to spreading the word about this fantastic operation. Mitchell Lester is the owner and as charming and hard working as you would expect. His family and team of co-workers are equally terrific. But the best part? The…

Slow Cooker Risotto

There are so many spring outside tasks to do that dinner can quickly become a sandwich. Slow cooker to the rescue! This recipe for risotto can be started late-afternoon and be done for dinner. All it needs is some grilled salmon, chicken thighs or a nice pork chop and you will have a feast with…

Midtown Cafe – 35th Anniversary

Midtown Cafe 35th Anniversary – Stories, People, Recipes Well over three decades ago when I moved to Nashville, Randy Rayburn was one of the first people I met. I liked him instantly and that feeling has only been cemented over years of appreciating his talent. The man is a genius!  My condo was a close…

Fried Fish

Fried Fish Let’s face it … just about anything that is deep fried is delicious. This is especially true with fish. Even though I grill or broil it often, every now and then the craving for having it immersed in hot oil simply must be done. Then I am satisfied for quite some time. This…

Red Eye Gravy

More than likely, you are going to have ham leftovers from Easter. Making ham salad will likely occur and that’s smart. Also baking some biscuits and frying some of those ham pieces up on the stove is a great way to start off your week or to have when you want breakfast for dinner. But…

Smoked Beer Bread

I have always loved beer bread. I like that it comes together quickly and bakes in the time I need to prepare dinner. This recipe is one I have used forever but I decided to give it a try on the smoker. Wow! It was absolutely perfect with the vegetable soup I prepared and even…

Ham & Bean Soup

I never get tired of soup … probably because there are so many possibilities for swapping out ingredients and altering the flavors completely. This one is a favorite mainly because it utilizes items from my freezer lovingly placed there at the end of the summer garden season last year. It is hearty without being too…

Belgian Waffles

What is it about snow that makes you hungry? We have been enjoying leisurely breakfasts all week long and it’s such a beautiful way to begin the day. Today, it was homemade waffles and crispy bacon. It will sustain us until dinner time this evening. The process is an easy one, reminding me that I need…

Pull Tabs

I understand the INTENDED purpose of having pull tabs on the tops of commercially prepared food items. The seal is for food safety and ensures that the food item you have purchased hasn’t been opened previously or tampered with. That is a noble purpose. But who can ever get the glued on seal to pull…

Easy Pea Hummus

Happy New Year! For those who want the good luck of peas and greens, I have the perfect appetizer for starting off 2024. This recipe only needs a food processor and about 5 minutes of your time. I used thawed frozen English peas from our summer garden. You can use commercially frozen or fresh from…