Search Results for: My Projects

Lavender Wreath Making Workshop+100 Kindle Books to Giveaway

Posted on Jul 29, 2016 by Peggy

The language of lavender denotes calmness and tranquility. Making wreaths on a lavender farm on the Old Mission Peninsula (Harbor View Nursery and Lavender Farm) was, therefore, the ideal antidote for combatting pre-wedding stress disorder. In Northern Michigan, fresh lavender is in season and a couple of days prior to daughter Greta’s marriage to Tom,  I spent the morning with family members making … Full recipe post »

Virtual Book Tours, Music, and Free Books!

Posted on Jan 15, 2016 by Peggy

Disclaimer: Today, this is more of a music/book blog than a food blog; I’m in the middle of a virtual book tour, loving today’s stop at BooksChatter, and want to share with you the great job they do incorporating playlists into the tour. I shared with them the songs that inspired me while writing the novel, SIMMER … Full recipe post »

An Elderly Weber Grill Repurposed into an Outdoor Bar Cart (plus a bushel of tomato, squash & corn recipes)

Posted on Aug 27, 2014 by Peggy

What do you get when you cross a 26-year-old Weber grill frame with boards, leftover deck paint, galvanized screen, and rope? A party on a bar cart! Just in time for the Labor Day weekend. We got the idea from daughter, Greta. She’s developing a line of bar carts to complement her Coleman (bar) stools. Richard and I … Full recipe post »

Smoked Barbecued Baby Back Ribs

Posted on Jul 17, 2013 by Peggy

With a sniffle and sigh, I put my old Webber charcoal kettle – mottled with rust and wear – out to pasture last month. I’ve had the grill well over 15 years, and have many fond memories of the get-togethers we’ve co-hosted: smoked pork butts for BQ sandwiches at my son’s graduation party, cedar-planked Copper … Full recipe post »

Steamboat Springs: Kathy’s “Thai One On” Cooking Party

Posted on Feb 7, 2012 by Peggy
Kathy's "Thai One On" Cooking Party

I’m visiting a friend – Kathy Barker – in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who I met at the water fountain when I was 12 years old. She was from New Orleans, the “new” girl at my Alabama junior high school, and scouting about the hall for friends. She overheard me yammering in a knot of girls … Full recipe post »

Northern India Cooking Class; Lesson 7: Dal Makhani (Black Lentil Bean Dip)

Posted on Nov 9, 2011 by Peggy
Black Lentil Dal

Note: This is the last of seven recipe installments, which compose a classic Northern Indian Feast. Fine Indian cuisine is not noted for its brevity. The good news is that each of Achla Karnani’s recipes may be made well in advance, then reheated prior to serving. Or divide the recipes amongst your friends, staging your own … Full recipe post »

Northern India Cooking Class: Lesson 4: Indian Chopped Salad (Kachoombar)

Posted on Nov 5, 2011 by Peggy
Indian Chopped Salad (Kachoombar)

Note: This is the fourth of seven recipe installments, which compose a classic Northern Indian Feast. Fine Indian cuisine is not noted for its brevity. The good news is that each of Achla Karnani’s recipes may be made well in advance, then reheated (with the exception of this cold salad) prior to serving. Or divide … Full recipe post »

Northern India Cooking Class; Lesson 3: Chicken Biryani

Posted on Nov 3, 2011 by Peggy
Achla with the centerpiece of our Indian Feast: Chicken Biryani

Note: This is the third of seven recipe installments, which compose a classic Northern Indian Feast. Fine Indian cuisine is not noted for its brevity. The good news is that each of Achla Karnani’s recipes may be made well in advance, then reheated prior to serving. Or divide the recipes amongst your friends, staging your … Full recipe post »

Northern India Cooking Class: Lesson 2: Cauliflower (Phool Gobi)

Posted on Nov 2, 2011 by Peggy
Northern India Cooking Class; Lesson 2: Cauliflower (Phool Gobi)

Note: This is the second of seven recipe installments, which compose a classic Northern Indian Feast. Fine Indian cuisine is not noted for its brevity. The good news is that each of Achla Karnani’s recipes may be made well in advance, then reheated prior to serving. Or divide the recipes amongst your friends, staging your own … Full recipe post »

Northern India Cooking Class; Lesson 1: Green Tomato Curry

Posted on Nov 1, 2011 by Peggy
Northern India Cooking Class; Lesson 1: Green Tomato Curry

Note: This is the first of seven recipe installments, which compose a classic Northern Indian Feast. The following recipe for Green Tomato Curry, a recipe inspired from Southern Indian cuisine, is the exception. Fine Indian cuisine is not noted for its brevity. The good news is that each of Achla Karnani’s recipes may be made well in … Full recipe post »

Create Your Own Outside Movie Theater (& brand the event with a signature sugar cookie)

Posted on Aug 14, 2011 by Peggy
Make Your Own Outside Movie Theater

Do you ever yearn for simpler times; evenings when parents, for instance, folded pajama-clad kids into cars and spent the evening watching a movie at the drive-in? Today’s advanced digital technology allows you to bring the mood of an outdoor theater to your own yard, and invite your neighborhood to join the fun while you’re … Full recipe post »

Chicken Mole (the easy way)

Posted on Apr 29, 2010 by Peggy
Chicken Mole (the easy way)

Cinco de Mayo (the May 5th regional Mexican holiday) is celebrated next Wednesday and it’s the perfect opportunity for retailers to promote their Mexican line of products, particularly anything having to do with guacamole, salsa and chips. (Take advantage of those related sales!) It’s also a great excuse to sip tequila and catch up with … Full recipe post »

Peach “Puff” with Strawberry Salsa (recipe from a Cookbook Gift Project)

Posted on Apr 15, 2010 by Peggy
Peach “Puff” with Strawberry Salsa

When Laurie announced her wedding engagement, Rosanne (her future mother-in-law) immediately began deliberating about a special gift to give Laurie at her bridal shower. Perhaps crystal candle sticks, silver goblets or a personalized photo frame? Maybe something practical like a food processor? All of these gifts would have been wonderful and certainly much appreciated by … Full recipe post »