Summer

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Steak Quesadillas

When a craving for steak hits the same time as exhaustion, this is what’s for dinner. It’s been awhile since I had beef in the weeknight rotation, so I’m not surprised my second-trimester body was asking for it. We decided to do pan-seared steak tips one evening and use the leftover steak the next night … Read more

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Shrimp Salad Sandwiches with Tarragon and Pumpernickel

  This summer is anything but lazy, there has been no summertime slow down. At least as far as my energy levels are concerned. I’m feeling the lack of a long weekend over the July 4th holiday, and I’ll have to hold on a few more weeks until our vacation in August. Until then, there’s … Read more

Sour Cream Blueberry Waffles from Joy the Baker Cookbook Over Easy

Cookbook Review: Over Easy by Joy Wilson (Joy the Baker)

Title: Over Easy: Sweet & Savory Recipes for Leisurely Days Author: Joy Wilson (aka Joy the Baker) Date: 2017 Publisher: Clarkson Potter Recipes Made Blueberry Sour Cream Waffles Earl Grey & Ricotta Waffles Banana bread granola Spinach & artichoke strata Onion, Gruyere, and Grits Frittata muffins Verdict: Interesting, creative, and for the most part delicious, though specialized (breakfast and … Read more

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Kale Salad with Cherries and Pistachio Dressing

One of the best restaurants in Harvard Square, Alden & Harlow, has what they call the “ubiquitous kale salad” on their menu. The name is tongue-in-cheek, but the salad itself is phenomenal. The greens themselves are all kale (something that can be hard to pull off), and there’s nothing else garnishing the leaves except a … Read more

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Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Ingredients 1 pint strawberries 1 cup flour 1 cup oats 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (optional – if not using, increase the flour by 1/4 cup) 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 cup butter, melted 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and prepare … Read more

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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Vegetarian Chili

  This answer to the question “what’s for dinner tonight” stems from my recent efforts to cook more with dried (versus canned) beans. I had dried black beans on hand, and not quite sure what to make with them, I turned to the idea of vegetarian chili. To be a successful vegetarian main dish, it … Read more

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Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

As I’ve mentioned earlier, my sweet tooth has been taking over this summer. This cobbler took a couple of tries to get right, but the final version here showcases some of the best of summer’s fruit, and David and I have been noshing on it after dinner for several nights now. I usually try to … Read more

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Roasted Corn and Tomato Lasagna

A few weeks ago, my friends and I met for dinner at one of Cambridge’s great new restaurants, Alden & Harlow. Their menu is based on small plates shared among the table. It was fabulous: we ordered corn fritters, chicken-fried rabbit, sweet corn gnocchi, and a kind of corn flapjack topped with fresh popcorn and … Read more

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Ginger-Peach Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Although I’ve been lucky enough to have a summer full of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, I haven’t been eating many fresh peaches and nectarines. Not long in to my pregnancy, both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, the two grocery stores just down the road from our house, were affected by a peach recall out of … Read more

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Tilapia with Wine-Simmered Tomatoes and Garlicky Breadcrumbs

Ingredients 1 lb tilapia fillets (4 approximately 4-ounce fillets) 1 medium leek 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved 1 cup white wine 1 Tablespoon olive oil Buttery Bread Crumbs 1/2 cup bread crumbs. 1 Tablespoon butter, melted Steps 1. Heat 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Add the leeks and cook until soft, about … Read more