Plating Up

All About Endives

2009-11-09T00:43:16Z

This is the time of year when I crave Autumn's bitter greens. People in the know call bitters a liver tonic. Every culture seems to have a "bitter" and sadly, coffee appears to be America's bitter of choice. Now I LOVE coffee and you can even drink chicory (endive) coffee...but there more good bitterness out there to choose from. I take mine in salad greens too.

Chenin Blanc Vinaigrette

2009-11-08T22:44:49Z

When pulling together a last-minute party or get-together, dress up a simple salad with this delicious vinaigrette.

Fresh Tuna Steaks with Avocado Grape Salsa

2009-11-08T17:37:42Z

Here is a fresh and delicious recipe for tuna steaks courtesy of Diana Santospago, chef and owner of the Inn at Isle au Haut. Fresh Tuna Steaks at Jess Market in Rockland, ME Fresh Tuna Steaks with Avocado Grape Salsa Diana Santospago, Inn at Isle au Haut Cookbook 2 ripe avocados, skinned, diced and sprinkled with the juice of [...]

Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows

2009-11-08T01:55:01Z

The book, written at the end of the great Depression, was owned by a family that lived in Brooklyn, New York. Here is a recipe for Sweet Potatoes – reproduced just as it was written at that time.

Grandma Laurenzano’s Chicken

2009-11-07T13:06:25Z

Grandma Laurenzano's Chicken is my husband's great grandmother's recipe. Legend has it that as the women worked in the fields of southern Italy, they were still expected to provide an evening meal for their husbands and families. Clay or brick ovens were built in the fields for such a meal as this. This is a treasured family recipe.

Seafood Bouillabaisse

2009-11-06T00:24:34Z

All heads swivel to follow the waitress when she bears bowls of this magnificent bouillabaisse from the kitchen at J’s Oyster Bar in Portland, Maine. The seafood stew is simply gorgeous – and tastes simply fabulous – and it makes an impressive main course for entertaining. The servings are huge at J’s, so I’ve scaled [...]

Love beer? Anything goes

2009-11-06T00:28:59Z

I know Maine has a lot of wonderful breweries. I, for one, am a huge fan of Allagash and literally clap with excitement when I see it in bars outside of the state, often to the embarrassment of my drinking companions. But Sam Adams is releasing its new Barrel-Aged Collection in only three states (and Denver) and Maine is one of them.

Thanksgiving Wine Suggestions

2009-11-05T02:11:02Z

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Surprise? How can you not love a holiday that's main focus is food and wine? I don't know about you, but it's the one day I don't feel bad about opening a bottle around 10:30 in the morning; when I'm immersed in cooking, to de-glaze the pan of course...

Gluten-Free Wild Rice Stuffing

2009-11-04T00:18:24Z

Dietary restrictions can be a source of stress during the holiday season, but they can also spur creativity. When I was a new vegetarian, I tried the cutely-named soy and wheat-based imitation turkey products, but ultimately decided it was healthier and tastier to celebrate the harvest by eating whole foods, prepared with care and creativity. [...]

Lobster Tail on Braised Cabbage and Cornbread

2009-11-03T11:13:31Z

Winning recipe in the 2009 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition: Lobster Tail on Braised Cabbage and Cornbread by MacKenzie Arrington.