Main Courses

Happy New Year! Start it with Delicious Man Food – Pork and Sauerkraut!

January 1, 2019

Today, like every New Year’s Day for years, I am making Pork and Sauerkraut for luck. It’s a Pittsburgh tradition and is man food at its finest. Not hard to make, ridiculously good, and includes beer. Men love it. Women do too…especially when paired with creamy mashed red potatoes. And it’s good all winter long because it’s hearty (especially if you’re back east where winters make your nose…

Pasta, Polenta and Risotto• Seafood

Creamy Leek and Veggie Risotto with Shrimp!

November 4, 2018

Risotto is one of those things I don’t usually make because I always worry about the carbs. But, I just made it on Halloween night and it was creamy, delicious heaven. Not only did I not gain an ounce, I actually lost a pound, so go figure! Maybe it was because this had so many veggies in it — spinach, zucchini, mushrooms and leeks — and it was…

Beef• Family Traditions• Main Courses• Pasta, Polenta and Risotto• Pork

Uncle Richard's Meatballs and Sauce!

September 19, 2018

Today is my Uncle Richard’s 89th Birthday. To honor him, I’m posting my most prized possession, my video of him showing me how to make meatballs and sauce. (It’s at the end of this post.) It was the highlight of my year! Most people’s bucket lists are filled with things like: Stay in a Scottish castle, or dance in the sand in Greece. But at the top of…

Main Courses• Seafood

Why People Drink

January 30, 2018

Being responsible is no fun at all. No wonder people drink. I’m sorry I’ve been away so long, but I’ve had taxes to prepare for, outside writing projects, exercising, cleaning and ironing to keep up on, and more. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so friggin’ ambitious. But the ambition comes partly because: a. I have no spouse to handle my domestic chores. b. I’m fairly certain I won’t…

Christmas• Holidays• Pasta, Polenta and Risotto• Seafood• Vegetarian

A Man And His Crabs

December 31, 2015

What makes a man recover from gallbladder surgery almost instantly? a. The promise of a waiting platter of king crab legs and shrimp b. The promise of pasta with crab sauce c. The promise of scallop pasta with cream sauce d. The promise of an adoring family e. Leftover novenas prayed by his mother. f. All of the above…

Main Courses• One Pot Meals• Pork• Side Dishes• Vegetables

I Love Myself…and Pork

December 4, 2015

I’ve been listening to the little voice in my head for the past couple of weeks. No, I’m not schizophrenic, (although nothing would surprise me). You probably have a little voice who says things to you too. For most of my life, I didn’t even notice her. But a couple of years ago, I was working with a very astute woman named Barbara, who said something that really…

Beef• Halloween• Side Dishes

Halloween in the '60s, We Worked Hard for Our Candy!

October 23, 2015

Kids are so coddled anymore. Halloween used to be a test of your mettle. Now parents go out and buy cute outfits, help their kids get dressed, help with their make-up and follow them along with a flashlight. They check their candy and even force them to say thank you when they’re done. What have we done to our children? When I was a kid in the wild…

Pork

What Illicit Sex and Pulled Pork Have in Common

August 6, 2015

Few things bring me the uncontrollable joy of a juicy pulled pork sandwich. (Should a single woman ever admit that?) I know pork isn’t health food, but if you don’t eat something decadent every once in a while, where’s the joy in living? Especially if, like me, you eat salads, chicken, vegetables and tofu. Yes, you can make them taste great, but there’s something wicked and exciting about…

Desserts• Main Courses• One Pot Meals• Pork

A Pat on the Back, Porkchops and Poached Pears

January 31, 2015

Remember, almost a year ago when my friends, my kids, and their friends helped move me into an apartment that needed a lot of work? Well, it still needs a lot of work and since I’m almost over the embarrassment of living in a place that desperately needs a paint job, I figured it was time to pay back my friends Mandy and Bjorn. (Sadly, the landlord has…

Italian Mom Stories• Main Courses• New Year's Day• One Pot Meals• Pork• Thoughts on Life

New Year Slow-Cooked Pork and Sauerkraut

January 3, 2015

In Western Pennsylvania, there are traditions you just have to keep. One is pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day. I may not live there currently, but I’ll be damned if I’m giving up this tradition, it’s too good. It’s said to be good luck to eat pork on New Year’s Day because pigs root forward, so, your year will start in a positive direction, unless you’re a…

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