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Real Food for the Whole Family

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I decorated a beautiful cake today thanks to Rebec

I decorated a beautiful cake today thanks to Rebecca’s expert guidance at a cake styling workshop @the_upstate_table! I see many more cakes in my future, preferably all topped with a peony. #cakedecorating #cakesofinstagram #upstateny #upstate

Yes, I did make another strawberry rhubarb crisp l

Yes, I did make another strawberry rhubarb crisp last night (see my Stories!), but I swear I’m also using all the summer veg. This salad looks like more cheese than kale, but there’s a pile of greens under there. AND, I finally found caulilini! 👉 I’d been seeing it on restaurant menus, but hadn’t found it to cook until yesterday at @willowwisporganicfarm at the Greenmarket. I cooked it very simply 👉👉 and loved it. Happy summer vegetables! #summercooking #farmersmarket #vegetables

Tonight my parents (👉) and I had dinner at one

Tonight my parents (👉) and I had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, @thekitchen in Boulder. Almost nine years ago, I threw them a small surprise party at The Kitchen for their 40th anniversary, and we eat there pretty much every time I come home. The food is always so so good, and I just love the overall vibe—friendly, but polished. Tonight we started with burrata with salsa verde and crispy fried artichokes. My dad had black spaghetti with shrimp, and my mom and I shared an amazing (vegan!) cauliflower and carrot dish with chutney and parsley—packed with flavor. Dessert was sticky toffee pudding (👉👉), because I can’t resist if it’s on the menu. If we ever move back to Boulder I will present myself on the restaurant's doorstep and beg for any job that’s available. (Don’t worry @thekitchen, we’re not moving back anytime soon.)

I haven’t seen my parents since February 2020, and I’m so grateful that we're all vaccinated, and that I was able to safely take a quick trip to Colorado to visit. Dinner out tonight was the very sweet cherry on top. #familydinner

Still in the market for a pasta salad for MDW? Hig

Still in the market for a pasta salad for MDW? Highly recommend this Hazelnut Romesco Pasta Salad I developed for @real_simple last summer. Blitz a sauce using jarred roasted red peppers and hazelnuts, although almonds or walnuts would work too. Toss with pasta and chunks of spicy chorizo and top with mint leaves. It’s hard to stop eating (in a good way!). Recipe link in my bio; I hope your long weekend is delicious! #picnicfood #pastasalad #pasta

When I was 30 years old and had a one year-old bab

When I was 30 years old and had a one year-old baby, I decided to go to culinary school. I continued to work during the day at my job in the TV business and went to school at night with an eye towards transitioning into the food world. I didn’t know what I wanted to do beyond “think about food all the time.” (✔️) I knew I would likely be one of the oldest students in my class @iceculinary, and I wasn’t a natural-born chef. I really needed to LEARN. Of course, I was scared. But, one of the things that made me brave was Julia Child. I knew that she didn’t go to culinary school until her late 30s and that her first cookbook was published when she was almost 50. It sounds funny to say, “Well, if Julia Child could do it, so can I,” since of course she was a culinary icon. But something about her down-to-earth personality, her hunger to always keep learning, and her genuine delight in food and cooking felt relatable and like I could do it too. Thank you @cherrybombe for this issue celebrating Julia. I am inspired all over again! #juliachild

More mid-week dinner inspo! These Crispy Mushroom

More mid-week dinner inspo! These Crispy Mushroom Reuben Sandwiches are a STAPLE in my house. @ananda_eidelstein developed this recipe for the February issue of @real_simple and it is really so easy and so good. My favorite part is the flavor BOMB of a dressing you make by stirring together mayo, tomato paste, soy sauce, and horseradish. (My mouth is watering as I type this.) Anyway, make this before it gets too hot out! You won’t be sorry. Link in my bio. Photo by @gregdupree

Are sandwiches part of your dinner repertoire??? I was slow to come around, but I’m all in now.

#easyrecipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #vegetarianrecipes

I will probably lose my food editor license for sa

I will probably lose my food editor license for saying this, but I think ramps are sort of overrated. Yes, they’re pretty and I love what they symbolize (spring! strawberries are coming!). But I can’t really get excited about cooking with them. I know @ananda_eidelstein disagrees, so I must be doing something wrong 😊. Friends, tell me your secrets to rampy deliciousness!

🌟💫🎉Cue the excited emoji! I’m so happy

I don’t know about you, but Wednesdays are often

I haven’t made mussels in sooo long, but they ar

I haven’t made mussels in sooo long, but they are sooo easy that I will definitely have them on the menu again soon. Tonight I sautéed shallot, garlic, and crushed red pepper in plenty of olive oil, added some white wine and the mussels. Covered the pot and steamed until they opened. Maybe five minutes? Maybe six. I served them (and their juices) over skinny spaghetti (the only long pasta my corner store had) with plenty more olive oil with a green salad. Dinner done! AND, as we’ve all been thinking and talking about sustainable seafood, it was satisfying to remember that mussels actually improve water quality. 🌊 And did I mention that they’re inexpensive and good for you? #musselmania #easydinner #pescatarian