Firecrackers on the Beach

A table with snacks, drinks, and flowers.

Is there any better place to fantasize about food than at the beach? I got to skip town last week with a wonderful friend and spend a couple of days on the Gulf Coast. We went to Florida for fun, sun, and seafood, but also to visit a beautiful little art gallery in Seaside, Newbill’s By…

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Flank Steak and THE Marinade

Grilled beef skewers with vegetables and rice.

Taking a break between the rain and snow prompted us to fire up the grill. Of course, my husband wanted what all men want when they smell charcoal – a little steak. If you have watched the recent rise in beef prices (and who can help it?) a little steak is equivalent to a what…

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Fondue for Two

Cheese, crackers, apples on a wooden plate.

It’s a Friday night dilemma. The end of the work week arrives and you know you are expected to celebrate. So, do you: OR: Enjoy Friday night Fondue for Two while sipping a favorite beverage with a special someone knowing that there are no dishes to clean, no bar bills to pay, and make-up freshening…

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French Dip Sandwiches

A person holding a sandwich on top of a plate.

(Makes four) Ingredients 3 Tbsp butter (1 for sauce, 2 for rolls) 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 cans of beef consommé 2 Tbsp Sherry 2 Tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning (or favorite brand) 4 hoagie rolls 1 lb thinly sliced rare roast beef Horseradish sauce 8 thin slices of Provolone cheese Directions Melt I Tbsp butter…

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French Onion Soup

A bowl of soup with chopsticks in it.

Ingredients 2 lb onions, about 4 large, peeled, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced across 1 tsp thyme 2 bay leaves 3/4 tsp each salt, pepper and sugar 1/2 stick butter 1 Tbsp flour 3/4 cups cooking white wine (you can buy this with vinegars at the grocery) 5 cups beef broth (you can use bouillon…

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Fresh Fig and Lemon Preserves

Fig and lemon preserves in jars.

Maybe I’m posting too many fig recipes, but let’s face it – this has been a terrible summer in our part of the world for tomatoes and squash. The deer ate the okra and a few days ago I saw a squirrel sitting in the garden clutching a small eggplant. Having the fig tree at…

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Fresh Figs with Yogurt and Honey

Green fig tree with ripe fruit.

We just got back from a trip where we were able to sample lots of different local fruits but nothing was as thrilling as getting home and discovering that the figs on the backyard tree were finally ripe. The first time I saw a fig tree was in Memphis when I was in college. If…

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Fresh Figs With Yogurt and Honey

A table topped with milk and butter next to flowers.

Ingredients Fresh figs – about 5-6 per serving Plain Greek yogurt Honey Fresh Thyme Maldon salt or flaky sea salt Directions Put 2 tablespoons of yogurt in each individual serving bowl. Top with 5 – 6 sliced figs per bowl. Drizzle each serving with about a tablespoon of honey. Top each serving with a teaspoon…

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Fresh Squash Casserole

Baked casserole in a silver dish.

For whatever reason – the squash plants in the garden are producing more than ever before. Sadly, last week we lost a dear friend and former neighbor, and my squash garden makes me remember that he was such a prolific gardener. In fact, until recently it never occurred to plant my own squash – I…

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Fried Black-eyed Peas Snack

A bowl of beans on the table with a napkin

Ingredients Canned Black-eyed Peas (2 cans is a nice snack size for about 8 people) Canola or vegetable oil Celery salt or good quality salt Extra salt if needed Pepper Directions In a deep skillet or Dutch oven pour oil to a depth of about 2 inches. Rinse and drain black-eyed peas – dry for…

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