Barbara Deraas 
While living in the central valley of California, my husband surprised me with an entire case of fresh from the field asparagus. It was asparagus festival season after all and can you ever have too much asparagus? I think not! I could batter and deep fry asparagus every single day, but that just isn’t feasible. … Read more
My first taste of paella was in the most unlikely city of Bozeman Montana. In a quaint little bungalow turned restaurant just off of Main Street in trendy Bozeman, an immense pan of paella was served to us family style brimming with crab legs, lobster, mussels, chicken and sausage embedded in the signature saffron … Read more
Savory puff pastry pinwheels are a blank canvas for a multitude of embellishments and are delicious appetizers served hot out of the oven. They are beautiful when garnished with fresh vegetables, herbs or salsa. Transform savory puff pastries into hearty open-faced sandwiches with the addition of your favorite thinly sliced meat and cheese. Serve with … Read more
Puff Pancakes are a sweetened version of popovers. Baked in cocottes in a hot oven, the edges of the batter puff up creating a little bowl in which to nestle fresh fruit. Popovers are baked until they have developed a crispy crust to maintain their shape. Puff pancakes are baked only 10 to 15 minutes … Read more
Yes, beer is an ingredient in this soup! Beer connoisseurs will appreciate the added flavor. But even if you’re not a beer drinker, the malt and hops that a good beer adds to this soup takes it from good to great. My family loves this soup and believes it’s even better the next day. Check … Read more
Clam chowder served in a bread bowl is a meal for all seasons. If you love New England Style Clam Chowder, you will love this quick, delicious recipe. It’s one of our family favorites. I chose to cook the chowder in a 6 qt. slow cooker set on the highest temperature. Before I began preparing … Read more
Several years ago I discovered and prepared Steak Supper Salad by Second Round Tea-Time at the Masters. It is a complete, beautiful meal my entire family enjoyed. We have had several unseasonably warm days recently, and I have been waiting for the perfect day to make a version of this salad. The original recipe called … Read more
Tabbouleh (or Tabouli) is a brilliant and refreshingly delicious combination of vegetables, herbs, and whole grain, creating a powerhouse of nutrition in one simple dish. It may sound unusual or exotic, but believe me, it is easy to prepare and you will appreciate the ingenious use of whole grain wheat and the nutritional herb that … Read more
Years ago my Grandmother Sarah prepared a small collection of her favorite recipes from which several cousins created a treasured cookbook for all of our family to enjoy. As I opened her cookbook recently, right there on page five was her recipe for fatayer or meat pastry. Welcome to my home as I share my … Read more
Pizza is a perfect gathering food. It’s simple, fun and honestly, who doesn’t love it? Invite your friends over to make pizza and share a little pizza love. You don’t need a reason other than enjoying each other’s company. Open a bottle of wine and enjoy the process of cooking together. I recently hosted a … Read more
