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Fire House Pot Roast Bolognese

December 15, 2011

“This is that very rich beef sauce that will turn a plate of pasta into a bit of glory!”  I first had this delicious dinner at a villa on a vineyard. The matriarch of the family cooked tirelessly and did this entire dish in one day. She would jump on her four-wheeler and head out [...]

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Butter Lettuce with Pear, Gorgonzola, Blue cheese and walnuts

December 15, 2011

For the vinaigrette: 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon-style prepared mustard 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Coarse salt Freshly ground pepper Assembly Put prepared lettuces in a large salad bowl. Add pear slices, Gorgonzola and toasted walnuts. *I toasted the walnuts on the stove and added honey to caramelize *Thinly sliced red onion [...]

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A Heart Healthy Indulgence, White Chicken Chili

November 29, 2011

My dear husband recently had a heart attack. It was a huge wake up call for not only him, but many of our friends as well. Husbands are whining that their wives are “on them” and I say have at ‘em! While making meals heart healthy is simple, sitting down with your mate to have [...]

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Good For Your Heart & Soul White Chicken Chili

November 29, 2011

Many slow cooker recipes are convenient, tasty, and can be adjusted to be heart-healthy. Just add appropriate heart friendly ingredients and let your slow cooker do the work. Immediately after Stephen’s heart attack dear friends took care of us all by delivering dinner for ten nights, fruit and goodie baskets, and a few bottles of [...]

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Heart Healthy Lentils With Roasted Red Peppers, Dill, Mint and Feta

November 15, 2011

MAKES 4 SERVINGS This simple vegetarian dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a good choice for a protein-rich weeknight dinner. Ingredients 1 cup brown lentils, picked over and rinsed 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, grated 1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained and chopped [...]

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Apples, Pears, & Pumpkin Oh, My

October 24, 2011

  Fall means many magical things to so many people. Our collective sense memory for the fall season is huge. Just putting on a sweater and heading out to watch a football game or catch a soccer game, while the leaves change right before our eyes, makes us feel cozy inside. Yesterday, I was happy [...]

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Best Ever Braised Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine Gravy, Wilted Swiss Chard, & Baked Polenta

October 24, 2011

  Braised Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine Gravy, Wilted Swiss Card and Baked Polenta 6 pounds 3-inch-long meaty beef short ribs Coarse kosher salt 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup olive oil, divided 3 cups chopped onions 3 cups 3/4-inch cubes peeled turnips (about 1 pound) 2 cups chopped peeled carrots (about 8 [...]

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Ghosts, & Other Things That Go Bump In the Night

October 10, 2011

  The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts. ~Italo Calvino  The first time I stepped into our home, I felt a sense of calm. For me “calm” is a huge accomplishment. In our home, just like being at the ocean, calm seems to happen more naturally for me. High on [...]

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Manners & Crepes When It Matters

August 19, 2011

The world has lost its manners. I think nothing is as authentic and genuine as a handwritten thank-you note. My children were raised writing them before they were allowed to play with the gifts that they received. Now teenagers, I have to hunt them down and sit on them, but sit on them I do. [...]

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Tuscan Inspired Tomato Soup & Caprese Inspired Grilled Cheese

August 11, 2011

“I left my heart on a hill in Toscana….” ~GAYLE DEJULIO   My husband and I have another item listed on our soon to experience list: live like a local in Tuscany, Italy. Rent a villa, have guests and family come and go. Go to the local farmers market. Cook and eat outside under the stars [...]

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