I’ve never understood folks who refuse to share their recipes with friends and family. This may sound funny coming from someone who writes recipes and receives $$ for those recipes, but let me explain.

Food, family, friends and the kitchen table—that makes for a life with a legacy. Connections, community, laughter and knowing all is well with the world. How much better does it get? Recipes are the link to those traditions, memories and good times. Long after we leave this earth those that love us dearly will make those recipes with fond memories. After the pain of loss, family and friends will cherish those meals that capture the presence of a loved one who has crossed over the rainbow.

My point?! Share your recipes with those you love. If someone requests a recipe, treat the request with the honor it brings. Start your legacy today! [Read more…]

Potato salad–do those words bring a smile and cause you to pause and fondly remember days gone by? Do you recall family reunions, picnics, BBQ’s, vacations on the beach or at the lake and a plethora of happy times? Or do you shutter, shake your head and think, oh no! Not potato salad. Who makes potato salad anyway?

Potato salad falls into the same category as meatloaf, chocolate chip cookies and spaghetti sauce. Every home has their own version and that family recipe is truly the only correct way to prepare that traditional food. [Read more…]

I grew up falling in love with my mom’s cucumbers and vinegar. It was a tangy addition to many a summertime meal at my childhood home. After I married my husband, I discovered his family’s version of cucumbers and they were delicious too. He grew up with more of a sugar syrup-vinegar version while I grew up with onions and vinegar but no sugar. Either method is a winner in my book. After noshing on these crisp slices all summer long, it was time for a change.

I adapted a recipe that I had developed for the Kansas City Star’s Eating for Life column. I left out the red pepper flakes, added srircha sauce and increased the amount of pasta like pearls in order to please our teenager….voila! Perfect for summer lunches or to accompany burgers from the grill. This version may not be as healthy as the original recipe, but it works and my family will devour it without complaints and still reap the benefits of eating fresh vegetables. This works for me! [Read more…]