Brown Rice and Vegetable Casserole – thank you, Whole Foods!

Brown Rice and Vegetable Casserole – thank you, Whole Foods!

THIS is the ultimate comfort food, as good for your body as it is for your soul.  See the end of the post to learn how to make it vegan, not just vegetarian. I discovered this wonderful recipe while searching online for something to serve 

Perfect Oven-Roasted Vegetables

Perfect Oven-Roasted Vegetables

I need to do another post to finish up Easter, especially so I can share the recipes of the lovely items that other folks brought.  But, it has been a busy few weeks. I was totally booked the entire weekend of April 10-11 and again 

Prepping for Easter Dinner 2010

Prepping for Easter Dinner 2010

I do the family Easter and July 4th, with my brother Steve and sister-in-law Lorraine  hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I am expecting the number of folks, that being 14-16.  I think 12 if the least amount we’ve had at the Easter table and 18 was 

Classic Creamed Spinach – comfort without the cream!

Classic Creamed Spinach – comfort without the cream!

Finally I post again.  I have quite a backlog of posts but I had to get this up right away – it is a great way to enjoy spinach, even if you don’t like it very much.  And, for those of us who do like 

Mashed Potato Casserole with collards, cheese, and caramelized onions

Mashed Potato Casserole with collards, cheese, and caramelized onions

WOW.  This was, to quote the native Wakefield MA person that I am, “wicked good!”  (Should I add “Menga?  I have no idea how to spell it, but the last time I heard it (other than from some long-lost and quickly again forgotten person I 

Can’t go wrong with fresh mozzarella!

Can’t go wrong with fresh mozzarella!

Fresh Mozarella purchased at the Farmer’s Market from “The Cheese Man” Phil Hermann, who brings locally made mozzerella, ricotta and goat cheese to the  market. Basil, also from the Farmer’s Market.  Tomatoes from our back yard.  A little olive oil, salt, pepper and a touch 

Simmered Greens – Collard, Mustard, and Arugula

Simmered Greens – Collard, Mustard, and Arugula

I have a number of recipes for collard greens – some vegetarian, some more traditional, some specifying longer cook times, and one I found and use often that cooks up collards  “quick and easy.”   Before I get into the details of how I prepared them 

Grilled marinated flatiron steak, fresh green beans, and potatoes…

Grilled marinated flatiron steak, fresh green beans, and potatoes…

This was such a low-key yet delicious meal.  Flatiron, or top blade steak, has  “a rich, deep, beefy flavor,”  to quote the guys who wrote “The Complete Meat Cookbook” (Aidells and Kelly). Yes, there is the “signature” line of gristle down the middle of the