Good food feeds the soul
Sides that are anything but an afterthought. From Irish-inspired sautéed cabbage to Portuguese roasted vegetables and everything in between — these recipes are often what the hubby and I end up eating straight from the pan before dinner even hits the table.
This post is for my friend Beth and anyone else who wants to know how to roast beets… the easy way. We were talking food a few weeks ago, and I mentioned that the hubby and I roast beets almost every single week. Beth groaned …
The farmers market here in Portugal right now is an abundance of spring veg and herbs. Fresh fava beans, new potatoes still wearing their dirt, fennel, green peas still in the pod, courgettes (zucchini), and mint… so much bright green mint it’s practically growing in …
Growing up in the southern US, deviled eggs were non-negotiable at every single gathering. After Sunday church service. At a pig picking. And at Easter, of course. So much at Easter, I get a craving every year just seeing the Peeps in the stores. The …
Spinach is one of those ingredients I can’t imagine my kitchen without. Whether I’m tossing it raw into salads or sautéing it for a quick side, it’s a true workhorse. Here in Portugal, I’m drawn to the dark green bunches at the market, especially in …
Is there anything better than fresh, hot, corn tortillas holding meat and vegetables? In my world that’s heaven on earth. The problem is… now that we live in Portugal, getting corn tortillas you want to eat from the store is difficult. And so is finding …
Nothing says summer to me as much as a thick, juicy slab of a perfectly ripe tomato, dressed with nothing but good olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a fresh herb…or 2. Rosemary, thyme, basil, or oregano…your pick. The Heirloom Tomato Salad (or just …
Growing up in the Southern US, fried green tomatoes are often on the menu. So, when a gentleman in the local community garden shared some tomatoes from his vines, I couldn’t resist making a batch. Although this recipe is nothing like the fried green tomatoes …
Okay, I’m just going to say it! Massaging kale to make it tender for kale salad is 100% silly. Instead, save the massage for yourself and make my Kale Salad with Apple and Persimmon tossed with a Lemon Dressing. I created this salad for a …
Originally published 2021, updated June 2026. It’s almost impossible to find a tapas bar in Spain that doesn’t serve patatas bravas. Not that I blame them because who can resist crispy roasted potatoes dipped in a smoky, slightly spicy bravas sauce. They are genuinely one …
Original published July 2021. Updated August 2026. I didn’t eat rice for thirty years. Yep, not a grain of it, in any form, for three decades because when I was 8 or 9 years old my dad decided I was going to eat the rice …