Decades ago I fell terribly and hopelessly in love with a young woman named Elaine. Any stranger on the street could see that we were doomed. I lived on the West Coast, she lived on the East Coast. She was smart and sophisticated and worldly. I, on the other hand, was a caricature of the...

The 1960′s made a lot of cultural contributions; the Beatles, Hippies, psychedelic colors, and granola come to mind. Granola is a great breakfast food. It’s yummy, high in fiber, full of oatey goodness (which supposedly lowers cholesterol), and versatile (you can have it hot or...

Ask anyone to name a type of cookie and chances are they will say “Chocolate Chip.” Accidentally invented by a harried cook who didn’t have time to melt the chocolate to make her favorite chocolate cookies, these yummy morsels have been a national favorite since the recipe...

Ingredients: 1 t salt 1 t white pepper, ground 1/2 t black pepper, freshly ground very course 1/2 t marjoram 1/4 t sugar 1/2 t Dijon mustard 1/2 lemon, juice only 1 small clove garlic, bruised 5 T vinegar 1/2 C olive oil 1 T prepared mayonnaise Method: Place all ingredients in jar and shake...

This is a classic winter side dish, hearty enough to make a meal when served with a green salad. Ingredients: 4 C  Potatoes, thinly sliced 1 t  salt 1/4 t  pepper, freshly ground 1/8 t  nutmeg, freshly ground 1 clove  garlic, finely minced 1-1/4 C  Gruyere cheese, grated 4 T  butter,...

This elegant little condiment is absolutely required for popovers, but is equally delicious on warm cornbread or other pastries. There are no ingredient amounts specified because you make as much as you want. Ingredients: Orange Marmalade or Strawberry Jam Butter Method: Warm the butter to...