French Potato Salad There are many Summer Potato Salads.  This French Potato Salad with a bright Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette is loaded with flavor and sure to be a hit at any gathering.  You will want to use French haricots verts instead of American green beans […]

Beef Vegetable Soup January is national soup month.  Nothing takes the chill away better than a nice bowl of Beef Vegetable Soup.  This is a nice hearty soup.  It is simmered for several hours to build the flavors and ensure the beef is tender. The […]

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup I lived in Wisconsin on and off for 7 years.  I always looked forward to the fall as it was time for a comforting bowl of Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup.  It is a favorite in pubs and restaurants across Wisconsin. Per […]

Panzanella Salad Panzanella Salad is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad, and is typically made with stale bread croutons, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and fresh basil.  This salad is also popular in other parts of central Italy and is perfect as a fresh summer salad. I […]

Zuppa Toscana It is still winter and cold here.  So another soup.  Zuppa Toscana, which literally means “Tuscan Soup”.  This is similar to the Olive Garden version which is creamier and richer than the actual original from Tuscany. One issue I had is that the […]

Lentil and Ham Soup This hearty Lentil and Ham Soup is perfect for a cold winter’s day.  It is packed with flavor and simple to make. Lentils are perfect addition for this soup.  I used Bob’s Red Mill green Lentils, Petite French Style for this […]

Minestrone With Meatballs It’s snowing and it’s soup time!  I decided to make a wonderful Minestrone With Meatballs soup.  Minestrone is a hearty, thick soup made of vegetables and pasta (Datalini).  You can make it with or without meat.  For a twist, I added meatballs.  […]

Steak Salad with a Bloody Mary Vinaigrette I am trying to eat more salads.  I remembered an old 1966 Weight Watchers salad dressing that my Mother used to make with a V8 base.  I have updated it to be a Bloody Mary Vinaigrette and paired […]

Roasted Tomato Soup The weather has been in the 30’s here and when that happens, all I want is something warm and comforting.  I typically turn to making soup.  My Roasted Tomato Soup is so easy to make.  You will never want canned soup again. […]

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup I first had this Sweet and Sour Cabbage soup at a restaurant in Illinois back in the 90’s.  I was there with friends and we all loved it.  I tried making it at home but it never came out same.  […]