Blogs

Paninis are popular -- but they're not just for cafés and bistros. Paninis offer quick meals that seem like so much more than "just a sandwich" meal. Even if you don’t have a fancy electric grill, you can make this Italian “little sandwich” with a skillet -- cast iron or non-stick works great.

“As all cooks know, ingredients of the moment are the best guides.”
--Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, 1996

This is that end-of-the-summer time when zucchini is everywhere -- so if you're looking for a quick yet delicious  zucchini recipe, try this Italian twist. Thanks to Marshall Katzman for this fabulous veggie idea. What's your favorite way to make zucchini?

Dutch oven recipes are favorites when dinner needs to be ready in a snap and there's a busy afternoon planned. Quick to prep, easy to adapt to the ingredients-on-hand and match up with sides (leftover rice, pasta, bread or rolls, salad). And that fabulously rich slow-roasted flavor! This is what we're having for dinner tonight.

Here's a delicious and fast salad that is perfect to pack into school lunches. By prepping and dicing the vegetables while the pasta is cooking, this salad can be ready to serve in only 15 minutes and makes a wonderful accompaniment to burgers or chicken. Leftovers are a plus, as the flavors improve after marinating overnight -- an easy side dish to pack into lunches the next day!

The White Gull Inn gained fame earlier this year when they won ABC's Breakfast Challenge with their stellar Door County Cherry-Stuffed French Toast.

When I think of quick summer meals and quick summer dinners, one of the first things that pops into my mind is salad. When it's a protein-rich salad, it can really fill and satisfy ... especially when topped withanything from chicken and roast beef to tuna, tofu, tempeh or cheese. The great thing about main dish (or side dish!) salads are they give you a big serving of your veggies for the day.

Mmmm, cherries, dried cherries, cherry juice -- I love 'em! Thanks to Country Ovens in Door County, Wisconsin, for sharing some fabulous cherry recipes -- I have entered them into the site so

This has been a busy summer week, and in between running here and there I’ve been looking for super-quick and easy meals. We’ve been using lots of tortillas and tucking in feta cheese, turkey, ham and cheese and adding lots of veggies. From corn and peppers to green onions, tomatoes, cantaloupe and cherries, here’s hoping that you’ll enjoy something farm-fresh today!

Boy, do I have a treat for you this Wisconsin Wednesday: a real homemade ginger ale recipe! A fantastic one. Ginger ale that is zingy, zesty, and oh-so-invigorating.