Search Results for: blog bay leaf

Last-Minute Leaf-Peeping Deals

Leaf peepers are in their prime right now, as stunning fall foliage blankets the country from coast-to-coast. Unfortunately, the season’s spectacular colors won’t last long. Currently, the leaves are brightest in parts of New England, the Midwest and the mid-Atlantic. Soon, peak season will hit western and southern states, which means if you are going to take advantage of fall foliage travel deals; there is no time to waste. Travel aggregate sites, such as Travelzoo feature a slew of affordable seasonal getaways that turn the spotlight on Mother Nature’s brilliant leaves. Some of the most popular money-saving deals include: Connecticut: … Continue reading →

Bay Leaf

You may already be familiar with bay leaf as an ingredient for soups and sauces. A bay leaf added to the cooking water makes pasta, beans, and rice more flavorful. But bay also has a history rich in mythology and medicine. You may also be familiar with the idea of the laurel wreath; the bay leaf used in cooking is the same leaf used in making the historic symbol of victory! The Latin name for the evergreen bay tree is laurus nobilis — renowned bay tree. Greek mythology tells of Apollo, god of the sun, pursuing a nymph named Daphne. … Continue reading →

Mega Morning Sickness

Kate Middleton’s baby is due to arrive any day now. The royal newborn will make the Duchess and Prince William first-time parents. It’s hard to tell who is more excited about the impending birth—Kate and Wills or the paparazzi. Middleton is said to be counting down the days to motherhood by clothes shopping near her parents’ home. Her retail therapy is a far cry from her hospitalization for severe morning sickness earlier in her pregnancy. Duchess Kate admitted to suffering from an acute form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum.  The serious-sounding condition can level even the toughest moms-to-be.  Doctors … Continue reading →

Save During the Slow Season

If money is tight, but you’ve been dreaming of a relaxing fall getaway, now is the time to act. Autumn is traditionally a slow time of year for the travel industry. Consequently, in the weeks leading up to the busy holiday rush many hotels offer super savings to entice visitors. Such is the case in sunny San Diego where several top properties are featuring affordable vacation packages that are almost too good to pass up, including: Glorietta Bay Inn: From now through December 20, 2012, the Glorietta Bay Inn, located on the scenic island of Coronado, just a stone’s throw … Continue reading →

Merry Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras! I don’t really need an excuse to gorge on seafood and sweets, but I’ll take Fat Tuesday as one anyway. Lent begins in less than 24 hours, so I plan to make the most of this raucous holiday and splurge on empty calories like nobody’s business. How are you planning to spend the day? It doesn’t matter if you can’t make it to an organized Mardi Gras event; simply throw one together yourself. Your Fat Tuesday bash doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair; instead gather the clan, throw on some beads, jester hats, masks, feather boas, … Continue reading →

Homemade Vegetarian Baked Beans

Do you want to wow your guests with baked beans? I know what you are thinking. How in the world can one wow anyone with baked beans. Try this recipe and find out. Not only is it delicious it is healthy! Perfect for the holiday table. Homemade Baked Beans Recipe By Charlie Ayers, chef, owner Calafia Café Palo Alto, CA www.calafiapaloalto.com “To make this dish super easy and super cheap I turn off my oven and fire up my Crock Pot. This recipe is my absolute favorite since I love the sweetness of the honey mixed with a punch of … Continue reading →

Fall is My Favorite Season: Part Three

Although Fall is my favorite season, picking up leaves had become an even bigger chore for me. It is too expensive to have it done professionally so I do it myself still. How do it do it now? I do it with a vengeance. I do it with fierceness. I find that I am almost angry when I do it. I just want to get it done. I get right in there whenever I see a pile of leaves and dump them in my dumpster. I do a couple of bags when I get home from work. I do a … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day in the Kitchen

The title of this post is about as unromantic as it gets, especially if you are cooking alone for a bunch of starving family members after putting in eight hours at the office. However, there is a way to make getting Valentine’s Day dinner on the table a fun experience. I am a huge fan of Like Water for Chocolate. The 1992 film based on the best-selling novel published in 1989 by Mexican author Laura Esquivel had me from the first scene. I love that cooking is fully integrated in the film in a way that inspires viewers to whip … Continue reading →

The Road to Super Bowl Fun

It’s been 13 long years since the Green Bay Packers played in a Super Bowl and now that the drought is over, residents in Wisconsin are ready to party like college co-eds on graduation day. I’m sure it’s the same way in Pittsburgh, but since I live in Packer Nation I can only speak of the craziness that has engulfed my neck of the woods. People have been planning Super Bowl parties since the minute the Green and Gold won the NFC Championship game in Chicago against the Bears. Stores are decked out in Packer colors and are offering everything … Continue reading →

Crockpot Split Pea in Broth

The rough winds are definitely shaking the darling buds of May today. In fact, they have been shaking them all weekend. After unseasonably warm temperatures, things have gotten decidedly cooler. With the influence of the weather plus a lesser pantry due to a skipped shopping trip this week, I decided that a good soup, bread and salad was in order. For bread, I’m choosing buttermilk biscuits, simply because I already have the dough and the family loves them. For the soup, I’m trying a split pea in broth, using the Crockpot or slow cooker. Traditionally, a ham bone is used … Continue reading →