Nothing quite beats a chocolate cake, especially when that cake is rich, moist, and full of deep chocolate flavor. Yum. I don’t frequently eat cake, or sweets in general for that matter, so when I do indulge, I want it to be outstanding. I want it to be worth it. Unfortunately, too often I’m met […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
10
Jul
Jul
Once upon a time, there was a slow cooker named Patience. Patience loved her job and took great pride in providing for her family. She lived in the pantry closet and got a case of the butterflies every time one of her people reached for her handles. Whenever this happened, she knew she would be […]
04
Jul
Jul
Ahhh, these long summer days call for celebration! I’m a mover, and I feel inspired at this time of year, when the sun is shining and the light stays around until well after the kiddo is down for the night, to see just how much I can fit into a day. Responsibilities on the back […]
03
Jul
Jul
Our family’s new home has a kitchen appliance that has sparked a debate I hadn’t thought about in some time. You see, our refrigerator has a handy dandy ice-and-water dispenser right on the door, a feature we’d lived without thus far in our lives but seems to be in use more than not now that […]
29
Jun
Jun
Before I begin this story, I should tell you that I wrote a previous blog post about a Cuban Pork recipe that I discovered during a trip to Puerto Rico many years ago. It was February, and New York City in winter is a dreary affair. So my husband and I, being young and adventurous, […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Roasted Pepper Feta Dip: A Perfect Picnic Provision for the Fourth of July and Beyond
27
Jun
Jun
On busy workdays, and often not on busy workdays too, I’m a grazer, meaning I’m more satisfied snacking on little bites here and there than I am on full meals. This is partly because I’m frequently on the go, and sometimes stopping for a break, even to sit down and eat, can easily deflate my […]
26
Jun
Jun
The other day, I overheard one of our boys make this comment: “If I can afford it, I will shower three times a day when I have my own place.” In the morning showering helps him wake up. At midday he showers to clean himself after his rigorous basketball workout. And in the evening a […]
22
Jun
Jun
Whole grains are rich in minerals and B vitamins. However, to unlock their nutrients and allow for efficient digestion and absorption, you must prepare them correctly. In order to enjoy these nutritional powerhouses, you must first address the following three substances that are present in every whole grain: Enzyme inhibitors: These neutralize the enzymes in […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Sesame-Ginger Kale Salad with Oranges and Almonds: A Quick and Easy Side Dish with Asian Flair
20
Jun
Jun
Those of you who’ve been reading my posts for some time probably know that I’m an avid gardener, and I have been since I was a child. I’ve had a sense of food appreciation for as far back as I can remember, and from an early age I was able to discern the difference between […]
19
Jun
Jun
Thursday is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and my favorite time to check in with myself. Why? For me the solstice brings more than just some bonus daylight; it brings energy and optimism. (I’m kind of an optimism junkie, seeking and finding it wherever possible.) It’s the perfect time to think […]
15
Jun
Jun
Ask Chef Phyllis So many stories are told of the dish prepared for Napoleon in celebration of his victory against the Austrians at the Battle at Marengo in June 1800. Legend or food history? Here’s the real lowdown! Though the French were victorious in the battle, as luck would have it, their food carts had […]
13
Jun
Jun
We’re all told we should be eating a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables. These foods, abundant in vitamins and minerals and low on the glycemic index scale, are tops when it comes to nutrition. And, fortunately, much of the population is finally understanding this, with many people now incorporating a host of additional “dark […]
12
Jun
Jun
My brother was visiting last weekend, and I noticed he had slimmed down quite a bit. He’s never been a large person, but the change was obvious. When it came up in conversation, he mentioned he’d had some nagging health issues he wanted to get the upper hand on. So he made some changes and […]
08
Jun
Jun
Ask Chef Phyllis I know from your book, Udderly Cultured, that caprese salad and pizza are your first choices for fresh mozzarella. Can I put the fresh cheese I make in a casserole? Are there other uses for fresh mozzarella, which melts so well? Summer is coming, and life should be easier. To me, that […]
06
Jun
Jun
I’ve always loved horseradish, and the pungent kick it gives, as an accompaniment to something like a juicy prime rib or side of salmon. But it wasn’t until the last few years that I began thinking of it as anything more than just a condiment, with a limited scope of use. The more I’ve experimented […]
05
Jun
Jun
Makeup isn’t really my thing. I’m more likely to throw away a tube of mascara because I’ve forgotten when I bought it than because it’s empty. But the other day, as I looked in the mirror, I was thrown back some years to a cosmetics party a friend had convinced me to attend. The woman […]
31
May
May
Ask Chef Phyllis I haven’t made stuffed cabbage in a long time, even though my family has been asking for it lately. It takes more than 2½ hours in the oven, plus maybe another hour preparing the cabbage leaves. Besides that, I only remember making it with canned tomato soup, which gave it an almost […]
What’s Cooking at SRP?
Strawberry Shortcakes with Crème Fraiche and Lilac-Infused Honey: Culinary Inspiration from the Backyard
30
May
May
We are deep in lilac season here in Northern Colorado, and to me there are few times better. Heavy blooms brighten every block, and their intoxicating scent wafts through my windows day and night. When the flowers start blooming, the sights and smells evoke a deep childhood nostalgia, and the event is a sure sign […]
29
May
May
When my kids were in grade school, I used to love coming up with a memorable gift to give their teachers at the end of the school year. Sometimes I would recruit help from the rest of the parents, and sometimes I went solo. It all depended on the teacher’s taste. But how in the […]
25
May
May
Ask Chef Phyllis: I recently watched celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck stop by Late Night with Stephen Colbert. He presented a very expensive gift to the host—a tiny truffle that was worth $300! Colbert smelled it and took a bite, but he didn’t seem to enjoy the taste (although he did like the aroma). Even for […]