tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416461769807634272012-02-01T22:07:25.344-05:00Food is so amazing; it is so often the focus of our lives - whether it's a celebration or a simple meal, food can bring together friends and families while nourishing the body and soul. I love food and I love to eat so it occurred to me that I could share this love with you. Bon Appetit!Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.comBlogger3021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-23678655988181144892012-01-16T19:35:00.000-05:002012-01-16T19:35:35.592-05:00

Recently my son - who is five and a half - informed me that he really likes salmon. I know I've made salmon before but I haven't made it recently so I was unsure where he had eaten it and discovered that he "really likes salmon."  But since he was so thrilled about it, I made it the other night for dinner with lemon, olive oil and dill and it was okay. My oldest daughter hated it but my son

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-69354118278556570132012-01-12T09:03:00.000-05:002012-01-12T09:03:01.014-05:00

I looked for something sweet to eat after lunch yesterday and there were few choices in my pantry. I knew then that as soon as the kids came home from school they, too, would look for a sweet snack - and likely complain about the lack of choices. But I didn't do anything about it...until about 4 p.m., when we were all together doing homework. It was at that (very) inopportune moment that I

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-45154386826093725682012-01-09T19:30:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:30:26.411-05:00

Well with spring-like temperatures here throughout the Northeast, it seemed only natural to lighten the dinner menu. Tonight's meal was easy to prepare and wasn't too heavy on the stomach which was terrific. With a nearly four-week old in tow, I admit that I enjoyed lightening up our meal considering today I was compelled to throw away the remaining half of the Sour Cream Layer Cake with Pecan

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-59478124939089973262012-01-07T19:59:00.000-05:002012-01-07T19:59:12.468-05:00

Pouring through an old issue of Bon Appetit magazine, as I often do, I saw a photo of a gorgeous cake that looked truly delicious. It's called:  Sour Cream Layer Cake with Pecan Brittle.  I wanted to make it right then but realized I didn't have a box of cake mix so the magazine page stayed open for a few days on the kitchen counter. Finally, today, I decided to give it a whirl. I wanted to see

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-25541802966597367742012-01-04T19:10:00.000-05:002012-01-04T19:10:06.450-05:00

If you're like most people I know, you don't have a recipe for "sauce." Likely it comes out slightly different each time you make it - even if you use all the same ingredients each time. But tonight I needed to use a perfectly perfect eggplant before it became a victim of science in the fridge. My husband loves Caponata so I used that as my inspiration and came up with a thick and hearty sauce

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-25192047246415396852012-01-03T18:45:00.001-05:002012-01-03T18:45:01.077-05:00

It's cold outside! I mean REALLY cold! I needed a little tea and cake to warm up today so I made Madeleines. What are they?  You know - those little sponge-like vanilla cakes in the shape of a modified Fleur de Lis? I just happened to have the Madeleine pan needed for just such a project! But if you don't have the right pan, try making these in a mini cupcake pan - it's the flavor you're after,

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-77786677991277936402012-01-02T11:22:00.000-05:002012-01-03T15:44:49.528-05:00

I'm not sure why I feel this way but I love to have a hearty chili on New Year's Day.  Maybe it's becauase it's usually so cold and chili warms you up or maybe it's some tradition I heard about a long time ago but the New Year doesn't feel complete without a bowl of hot-spicy chili. However, this year I didn't get it together right and made, instead, a light Lemon Chicken with rice and a salad on

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-14610712961805938582012-01-01T11:02:00.000-05:002012-01-03T15:44:35.059-05:00

My nearly-six year old son has been bitten by the Star Wars bug. And really, who can blame him?  The classic movies (Episodes IV, V and VI) are truly that - classic.  And the new ones: I, II, and III are addictive. So this holiday break was filled with Star Wars movies, characters, conversations, and...you guessed it: food. Williams-Sonoma (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/) was having a special

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-29563556538715566312011-11-23T21:01:00.001-05:002011-11-23T21:35:24.345-05:00

It's hard to be a food fan this time of year when you truly enjoy making something for others - if you've been advised to "lay-low." I'm almost to my due date for baby #3 so I know I need to take it easy. Easier said than done! We always go somewhere else for Thanksgiving - it's never been "my" holiday...but I typically bake something.  This year would be no different, naturally.  But my mother

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-70239112614940395802011-10-31T19:53:00.000-04:002011-10-31T19:53:37.318-04:00

On Halloween, my neighborhood becomes a feast for goblins, ghosts, and the like - thousands of children with their moms and dads all come upon this small 10 block radius and it is really fantastic.  It occurred to me today that (despite our handing out about 500 pieces of candy) so many of the neighborhood parents attend the festival of parades and the trick or treating throughout the day.  We're

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-78955635240297667852011-10-30T18:36:00.000-04:002011-10-30T18:36:08.996-04:00

Food confession: Last weekend I purchased veal stewing meat and it sat in the fridge till yesterday. I had intended to make it last Sunday but decided at the last minute that I didn't feel like dealing with the slow cooking and the annoying cries I'd get from my kids. But yesterday, given it was the first snow storm of the year - the first snow storm ever in October in the Tri-State area - I felt

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-70960808982657440582011-10-30T10:05:00.000-04:002011-10-30T10:05:14.359-04:00

Pregnancy has never given me traditional cravings - nothing weird like peanut butter and pickles or ice cream and cucumbers. I sort of feel cheated by that! However, I do get the desire to cook and create and to find something new so maybe that in itself is a craving? Ahh, who knows! What I do know is that this morning I work up wanting bacon and eggs but the simple dish just wouldn't do - I

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-7993100440011415392011-10-29T16:59:00.000-04:002011-10-29T16:59:44.842-04:00

This summer I heard about a national pumpkin shortage and the only thing I was concerned with was whether or not Libby's would have an adequate supply in my supermarket of 100% pure pumpkin in the 15 oz can come October!  I imagine that others cared about whether or not there would be pumpkins for the annual 'pick-your-own' festivals...but I was thinking about pies, breads, and scones. So what

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-54067446983945736482011-10-28T19:59:00.000-04:002011-10-28T19:59:05.846-04:00

I was home earlier than usual from work and needed a project to calm my brain after a very looooong week...what better than a baking project with the kids? These cookies are a throw back from my own childhood - images of diner-brunches or bakery-runs with my father. My two kids helped me with these and it was a lot of fun to do together - I think they enjoyed it because they could conceptualize

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-9771494647212138062011-10-19T10:27:00.000-04:002011-10-19T10:27:46.049-04:00

The Girl Scouts teach us, as part of their Law, to "Use Resources Wisely."  So, while searching for an easy-to-make-in-30 minutes dinner concept, I remembered those words and had a 'voila!' moment. Sunday's dinner consisted of pasta, Vodka Sauce and a grilled pork pinwheel sausage. We didn't finish the entire pinwheel so I tucked away the left-overs into the refrigerator - secretly knowing that

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-39401025545948536312011-10-09T12:00:00.001-04:002011-10-09T12:01:41.587-04:00

Today is the third time in three weeks that I have made Gingerbread Cookies. The first time I made them, they were so good that the four of us devoured them quickly.  My kids loved them - surprisingly - because the ginger lends a "spicy" touch to the cookies. They aren't for everyone.  The second time I made them I siphoned off half the batch and brought them to a friend's house for an impromptu

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-42867297725347715692011-10-03T20:24:00.002-04:002011-10-07T11:08:47.860-04:00

Can you believe how quickly Fall fell upon us?  One day we're all wearing flip flops and blasting the A/C and the next we're layering! Don't know about you, but this weather always makes me wander into the kitchen to create something. Sunday dinner, to me, is one that means business - it's a meal that's too time-consuming to prepare during the middle of the week. Well, at least, that's how I see

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-17419285692838538762011-10-02T17:42:00.003-04:002011-10-07T10:50:01.679-04:00

I am full of pathetic excuses as to why I've not blogged since February...but who really likes to hear excuses? Not me! Oh sure, we renovated our kitchen which took 3 months to complete (well, "complete" is subjective, isn't it? we're still not fully detailed...), and we're waiting to be joined in December by another little person - so really, I have been cooking up something...but so what, right

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-31284292450933588292011-02-14T19:51:00.000-05:002011-02-14T19:51:43.679-05:00

Valentine's Day is here. I'm not sure why it seems to be such a lovely day - it is just an ordinary day and you are supposed to express your love daily for those you care for most. But, alas, it's February 14th and the birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and it was a glorious 58 degrees - a welcomed treat after what has seemed an endless barrage of nasty winter weather.  Ahh, love is the

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-49762286897408322392011-02-13T18:44:00.001-05:002011-02-13T19:37:56.854-05:00

I don't know about you, but I love - let me repeat: LOVE - sweets. However, if we're being honest, then I should tell you that I've never been much of a "chocolate" person (and I'm using quotes around chocolate to emphasize the traditional methods we're served chocolate; i.e., chocolate ice cream, chocolate bars, kisses, etc.). I don't really enjoy chocolate ice cream, though in a pinch and

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-34900449441574422992011-02-10T20:20:00.000-05:002011-02-10T20:20:01.110-05:00

This week was the one year anniversary of my step-father's death. He died of a massive heart attack on Superbowl Sunday 2010 and it was a terrible blow to my family.  He was so loved by us all and we miss him very much.  He was a very funny man who loved to tell a great joke or make a quick jab to lighten a mood and when you were the target you knew it was said with love.  He would have loved

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-4136363151856491042011-02-10T19:42:00.001-05:002011-02-10T20:24:42.711-05:00

 Here's a quick post of my homemade Snow Globe cookies made with royal frosting and edible glitter.  The second photos is that of a traditional Bouche de Noel - complete with sugar critters and marzipan mushrooms dipped in cocoa! The frosting is chocolate buttercream and the inside is a soft vanilla buttercake filled with mocha flavored whipped cream. Ahhh, I see visions of my childhood with

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-27114154388197503392011-02-10T19:36:00.000-05:002011-02-10T19:36:29.905-05:00

What on earth could taste better than crispy Italian bacon?? I mean, really?? Well, yes...crispy Italian bacon with soft creamy goat cheese and fig jam? Absolutely! I made this for a dinner party and they were gone before I could blink. I made the cups a few hours in advance so that they could cool and be easy to eat. What a fun little pop-em! Crispy Pancetta Cups with Figs and Goat Cheese

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-16769182301129079362011-01-12T19:13:00.000-05:002011-01-12T19:13:22.115-05:00

So many people like broccoli rabe but I have to eat it in small doses - when I've had it runs tha gammut from being perfectly cooked to very bitter. This recipe is so light - despite the existence of sausage - that it was just right for an early dinner. The kids asked about that "terrible smell" while the broccoli rabe was boiling and I lied and said it was (just plain) broccoli...but they bought

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-41255588516844990542011-01-12T19:12:00.000-05:002011-01-12T19:12:13.032-05:00

Let me start off by saying we were the beneficiaries of Mother Nature's whimsy once again here in New York. So with buckets of time on my hands, I did what I enjoy and seem to do well - fiddle around in my kitchen. With more than 8 inches on the ground I was not planning to go anywhere today so I happily tried to find a new baked item to become tonight's dessert. I poured over multiple books but 

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-41145452160208030032011-01-11T20:20:00.000-05:002011-01-11T20:20:18.338-05:00

The other day the kids came into the kitchen with the strangest look on their faces - they came to investigate the crazy banging noise emanating from the room. I was pounding thin a package of chicken breasts (and had already pounded thin a package of pork chops)! So clearly there was cause for concern - I was beating up food. It was a funny scene, really. I had one plastic zip bag filled with

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-10025320714501434722011-01-09T19:58:00.000-05:002011-01-09T19:58:57.416-05:00

When company comes - at the last minute - it's helpful to have a selection of menu items you can make using what's normally in the house. I wanted to add a homemade dessert to my dinner plate so I rummaged around a few books and magazines and came up with two new items. Both used ingredients I already had access to and both seemed simple enough to pull off quickly - before I put up the roast

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-65982334748579716592010-12-12T18:18:00.001-05:002010-12-12T18:20:32.430-05:00

How can anyone mind a day like today when all there was to do (in our house) was trim the tree, play Sorry!, and eat? Rainy days do have their place in the world and today was one of the joyous ones. Try this when you're relaxing at home and have no where to race off to - or serve it as a holiday meal or for a dinner party. The flavors are slightly exotic while fruity and packed with taste. If

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-60863044146587359622010-11-28T11:37:00.000-05:002010-11-28T11:37:37.300-05:00

My mother has the most beautiful Dutch tile in her house over the fireplace and recently I found this wafer paper on Fancy Flours and had to buy it - they are exactly like the ones on her fireplace!  The cookies are the usual simple ones with royal icing.  Just wanted to share...Cookies

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-49603812268039460832010-11-28T11:27:00.000-05:002010-11-28T11:27:08.246-05:00

I was recently asked by a follower for some ideas on what to make for a holiday brunch. After thinking about it for a few days, I realize that the answer brings infinite possibilities - it all depends on what you like! I've hosted brunch on New Year's Day for the past few years and the menu remains relatively static - I rotate a few items here and there but it's great to stick with what you know

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-59115854054521043142010-11-18T19:41:00.000-05:002010-11-18T19:41:18.123-05:00

Recently in the grocery store, I saw bunches of huge beets and they begged me to take them home. So naturally, I acquiesced.  I couldn't help it - and in fact, my verbal enthusiasm seemed to encourage a beautifully pregnant mommy-to-be to pick up a bunch and drop them into her cart! (the store should pay me some kind of royalty). Roasted beets must be one of the easiest things to do (or not do,

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-82759331288164050682010-10-31T19:03:00.000-04:002010-10-31T19:03:33.016-04:00

Brisk fall weather conjures up the desire for cinnamon-nutmeg-allspice and pumpkin, of course. I felt the need to experiment with pumpkin and with four additional kids coming over today, I opted for the perfect food: cupcakes. These were light and fluffy and not too spiced. I admit that if I were making them with adults in mind, I would have used a cream cheese frosting, instead of buttercream.

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-19828488542985419062010-10-04T22:05:00.000-04:002010-10-04T22:05:09.156-04:00

So how come all those fancy TV chefs never show you where or how they cut corners? Why don't you ever see the cool tricks that save time or money? Well come on now...why would they give up those secrets?? You'd have no reason to be captivated by them if you knew some of the kitchen secrets, would you? Obviously I am not a professional but I do know my way around the kitchen enough that I am

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-84939418120449155192010-09-12T11:57:00.001-04:002010-09-12T11:57:37.943-04:00

If you've never seen the movie "Big Night," my husband and I urge you to do so. Starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalub, it's a witty story set in the 1950s about two brothers that own an Italian restaurant. All they want to serve is authentic Italian fare but the locals only really understand spaghetti and meatballs - which drives Tony Shalub's character (the chef) crazy. As a result, their

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-42752618980567096002010-09-12T11:56:00.000-04:002010-09-12T11:56:12.936-04:00

In the context of my writing this, post-send-of-summer-party blogging, I realize I was crazy to think I needed another dessert. But when you're in the midst of cooking, it's hard to see that you're a certifiable nut making more food than is necessary. However, if you've stumbled upon this as an interested person in making a plum tart...then here you go! A perfect, Plum Clafouti. Clafouti is made

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-55646005833331728782010-09-12T11:43:00.000-04:002010-09-12T11:43:44.168-04:00

People think making your own ice cream is novel and fancy - I think it's genius! A machine does all the work and I get all the credit! I made the following two ice creams: mint chocolate chip and vanilla with crushed butterfingers for a party. They were both so delicious that I could have eaten them both all alone. Use your ice cream maker - and if you don't have one: get one! They're really

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-10029707175226029162010-09-12T11:32:00.000-04:002010-09-12T11:32:29.846-04:00

In Italian, Timpano means: Big Drum.  To me, it's a giant exercise in patience and prayer. This is not difficult to make - not at all.  It's just time consuming and must be thought out well in advance.  There is cooking and chopping and baking and cooling that has to be taken into account.  But the result is so attractive and so pleasing. And when you cut into it, it's amazing to see that so much

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-51303641742686529232010-09-12T11:16:00.000-04:002010-09-12T11:16:09.977-04:00

One of the easiest things to make: a mixture of wild mushrooms.  By nature, mushrooms are already wild! Ever see a mushroom growing where you want one? Ergo: wild. For this simple finger food, I sauteed 3 cups of finely sliced mushrooms (baby bellas, shiitake and oyster) with 1/2 onion, finely sliced and 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil. Once the mushrooms were soft and wilted, I added 1 tsp. fresh thyme and 1

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-41770811632979127632010-09-12T10:59:00.000-04:002010-09-12T10:59:18.411-04:00

There is something about a mini burger on a mini bun that seems to delight even the most cranky. Who doesn't love tiny burgers? Of course, there is a whole subculture of people that love the White Castle burger (I'm not one of them...) so it only makes sense that these are a hit at a party. These were a hit that our party - and I was very glad about that.  They were simple to make and nearly all

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-15765954010400941832010-09-12T10:42:00.000-04:002010-09-12T10:42:51.709-04:00

Ever see that Charlie Brown episode with the giant pumpkin? Well picture a giant zucchini...got it in your head? Ok...a young woman in my office came to work the other day with this giant vegetable and claimed she didn't want it - it was too big for one person. Knowing I was having a party, I figured I could use it somehow. Sure enough, turns out that one can make zucchini look a lot like a

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-16307749172860941152010-09-12T10:26:00.000-04:002010-09-12T10:26:49.511-04:00

Making rice balls is a fine art. My mother-in-law makes them at the holidays and they're terrific with peas and ground meat. I wanted to give them a try and I always love mini versions of things so I thought these pop-ems would be a good addition to a party menu.  Turns out they were hit!  Of course, the key to risotto is the consistent stirring. So if my recipe doesn't make it clear: STIR!

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-9537092162262777792010-09-07T19:34:00.000-04:002010-09-07T19:34:17.974-04:00

Like most of you, today marked the first day of school for my oldest.  My son, two years younger, already started his school last week. He is first up on the schedule for the "Bookworm Librarian," a very clever way of getting kids to enjoy books and to learn how to "report" on them.  Tomorrow, my son will bring in his favorite Thomas the Train book and his teacher will read it to the class. When

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-66939974237977843892010-09-06T19:42:00.001-04:002010-09-06T19:42:54.939-04:00

My neighbor retired long ago but when he did work he owned a produce market in Brooklyn, which might explain his magic touch when it comes to growing tomatoes. Recently the news has told us about how Long Island tomatoes have been infected by fungus and by bugs, killing off hopes of bumper crops and causing the price of these juicy red balls to sky-rocket. But I tell you that my neighbor, this

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-3197032451355772562010-09-06T19:42:00.000-04:002010-09-06T19:42:12.755-04:00

I admit it was tempting to get some burgers and dogs and fire up the BBQ.  But then I wouldn't be writing this! Recently I purchased at the market a package of 5 or 6 pork loin center cut chops together with the remaining center cut piece - whole.  I was smart...I froze the whole piece for another day and apparently today was that day.  I thought I would braise the meat but it was warmer

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-38288546851311568512010-09-03T08:34:00.000-04:002010-09-03T08:34:53.396-04:00

Don't we just love to plant tomatoes?  Early Girls? Cherry Tomatoes? Roma? Heirloom? I love them all but sometime around now you realize there is an abundance of tomatoes and anyone can get stuck with a small crop and not know what on earth to do with them. Who can have yet another salad of tomato and fresh mozzarella? I made this sauce as a bit of a take off of another sauce I often make for

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-33182031713246672512010-08-30T19:18:00.000-04:002010-08-30T19:18:20.431-04:00

On our way back from vacation we drove up US13 from the Chesapeake-Bay Bridge and Tunnel. While I was excited to get home I could not help but be captivated by the numerous farm stands that dotted the pretty landscape. As we passed stand after stand, I cringed - first in silence and then audibly and finally I begged enough that I convinced my husband to stop. There were giant watermelons, amazing

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-40344176242293227542010-06-02T20:32:00.001-04:002010-06-02T20:38:21.769-04:00

I think it wasn't until recently that I "discovered" the Spanish-Portuguese style of linking clams and sausage together. However, now that I know that spicy sausage perks up a delicate clam sauce, I can't imagine having my linguine plain and simple! This is super quick to whip up. In as much time as it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta, your sauce is complete. Admittedly, I took about 2

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-40747255297515554262010-06-01T20:19:00.002-04:002010-06-01T20:24:10.597-04:00

My Aunt Miriam was an amazing baker! I'm willing to bet she rivaled her sister-in-law, my grandmother (who was more than likely the better, more precise, baker but had much less "creativity" in her cooking). Aunt Miriam used to host Passover - long, long, ago and she would make these little "cookies" with and without nuts. In fact, she gave me both recipes when I asked her. I was about 10 or 11

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-43501435217230451922010-06-01T19:54:00.001-04:002010-06-01T19:57:08.191-04:00

We happen to like bison meat - it's much lower in fat than its cousin, the cow. But prepared the same way, it can be big on taste. Tonight I came home to a thundery, rainy, day and decided that barbecuing bison burgers would be out of the question and frying mini bison meatballs wouldn't work, either - too hot and sticky for that. So quickly I was able to put up a pot of sauce and get the heck

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-63052663904713978682010-06-01T19:30:00.003-04:002010-06-01T19:57:21.989-04:00

What's more refreshing than ice cream? How about frozen mint ice cream with white chocolate chips in an Oreo cookie pie crust? Yep, that'll do it! This is no-cook proof - I swear it. You can make this wowtastic pie and feel like you've really cheated the system. Watch how simple: Grasshopper Pie 1 ready-made Oreo Cookie 9" pie crust 2 pints Premium vanilla ice cream, softened 2/3 cup white

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-53433563997651384522010-04-14T21:56:00.001-04:002010-06-01T19:56:36.563-04:00

Trying to keep healthy during a busy week can be tough.  When you're tired, good eating gets tossed out the window faster than you can toss a salad! To combat this issue, I try to think about food and food choices well in advance so I'm not stuck staring into the fridge with testy children and a rumbling stomach wondering if pasta with red sauce, two nights in a row, is acceptable. I went online

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-90446900102560389522010-04-03T22:54:00.003-04:002010-09-07T13:27:35.596-04:00

A few years ago, I discovered red velvet cake. Many people I knew had "discovered" it from the movie Steel Magnolias - but I barely recall that movie and certainly never heard it mentioned. But somewhere along the way I came across this cake - it's very rich, red, interior and the slight hint of chocolate called to me, despite the fact that I would not consider myself a chocoholic. But this cake

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-85368055411397699162010-04-01T19:51:00.003-04:002010-04-03T22:55:59.828-04:00

I know that Easter and Christmas are religious holidays but for me there is nothing better than preparing a festive meal - for the mere sake of actually eating it with friends and family you love. You know I'd say that (and have said it) about Passover or Yom Kippur, as well, don't you? Truth be told, this year has been a tough one for our family and this holiday has sort of crept up on me.

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-85925399912112244872010-03-31T19:52:00.009-04:002010-04-04T22:23:18.897-04:00

Lamb is a natural for Easter, right? Spring, re-birth, renew = a little lamb...yikes! That sounds morbid! Okay, let's start that again...I love lamb! And Easter seems like a perfect time for it. This year, I wanted to do something I've not done before - a stuffed leg of lamb. I went to the butcher - highly recommended - and I asked the man for a butterflied leg of lamb. I told him I was having

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-28217916424386620212010-03-29T14:29:00.008-04:002010-04-01T19:51:39.239-04:00

Passover begins tonight at sundown and lasts for 8 days. In that time frame you are not supposed to consume flour, amongst many other rules. To be honest, and why would you be surprised by this admission, I don't keep to any of it once the two initial days have ended. Of course, during the days I call "Passover," I will happily abide by the no-flour ruling. We go to mom's for the holiday and

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-67441236271002314792010-03-09T19:35:00.004-05:002010-03-09T20:13:54.889-05:00

I know there are people that don't care for fish - I'm not one of them, obviously, but I know those people are out there. If you can manage to try a piece of fish, I strongly urge you to try this one. Of course, salmon is one of those foods that I consider a healing staple - like chicken soup. It's rich with vitamin D, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, but believe it or not, it has cholesterol. Clearly that's

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-11886769068067455082010-03-07T09:02:00.005-05:002010-03-09T20:13:41.381-05:00

My family loves dumplings. At this stage we might all turn into a dumpling after the amount we eat! But we love them - Japanese style Gyoza or Shumai or Chinese style steamed or fried. In fact, I love all dumplings and truthfully it seems that all nationalities have a version: Jews have Kreplach, Indians have Samosas, Italians have Ravioli! Ultimately it's the same concept and likely they all

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-60651306411985880102010-01-13T08:32:00.004-05:002010-01-13T08:47:24.368-05:00

I think everyone has a particular flavor-bent: you know what I mean...the way you return to certain ingredients when you reach into the cabinet or the 3-5 restaurants you go to over and over. I can delve into many different flavors and be happy but I really love Asian flavors and tend to seek out ways to incorporate them into our daily menu.I made this marinade because I didn't feel like making a

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-2228208946326552010-01-11T21:39:00.004-05:002010-01-11T21:57:52.302-05:00

Sorry there's no photo for this one - it was all gone before I realized I should have photographed it! But I promise you that this was perfect - simply perfect. The meat slid off the knife and the flavors were spot on. I researched the difference between Jewish and Irish Corned Beef - which I made once and it's on the blog: http://meredithsfoodforlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-44281650508883664192010-01-02T22:56:00.000-05:002010-01-11T23:05:49.667-05:00

I have been waiting to give you this recipe - it's delicious! And it comes from the mother-in-law of a good friend. I'm always skeptical of vegetables in my dessert but I must say this is perhaps the best carrot cake I've ever had. I have yet to find a way to improve upon it - which means: it's perfect.Chari's Carrot Cake2 cups sugar1 1/2 cup vegetable oil4 eggs2 cups flour2 tsp. baking soda1 tsp

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-71222452566077658882009-12-31T21:58:00.002-05:002010-01-11T23:07:06.660-05:00

I've never been a big fan of New Year's Eve and fortunately for me, neither has my husband. We just don't seem to get all the hype. However, I'll admit that the first day of January is always exciting to us both - it seems fresh, clean and new. I like that - always grateful for a new beginning. So we welcome the new year with friends and family and we've tried to do this each year. It's been a

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-79553456335664829812009-12-26T22:39:00.000-05:002010-01-11T22:55:02.061-05:00

I swear - these are no different than a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. And with friends whose child is deathly allergic to peanuts, I feel tremendous guilt even sharing this recipe! Naturally, if you know someone with a nut allergy do not even consider making this anytime close to when they might enter your home. Everything would need to be scrubbed and practically fumigated!That said: if you and

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-63542948312141018692009-12-26T22:15:00.000-05:002010-01-11T22:37:52.558-05:00

Sometimes I become aware of the fact that I'm a bit nutty. I usually "discover" it at the wrong time - like talking to myself in the grocery store when someone is watching me or singing really loudly in the car when I realize the window in the back is down and I'm stuck in traffic. But when I'm traveling on a JetBlue flight and I'm hurriedly scratching notes down while watching a food channel

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-48094571367872829272009-12-23T14:20:00.011-05:002010-01-11T22:56:20.725-05:00

I really can't believe that it's the night before Christmas Eve. I wonder where the time has gone, to be honest. It feels like just yesterday we said goodbye to our Christmas Eve guests and put away all the dishes. Hmmmmmm...oh well, the calender really did move!This year I got to planning the menu much later than usual - seems I couldn't get control over the "to-do" list and the time got away.

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-37150842908638388852009-12-20T19:44:00.005-05:002010-01-11T22:13:34.068-05:00

If you have a lazy day ahead of you where you have no plans - or if you want a great no-bother dinner party dish: look no further! Short ribs are awesome. Big on flavor, long on time - and if you can swing it...make them the day before you actually want to eat them. Your stomach will thank you.Again, with the blizzard of 2009 upon us, there was no better day to deliver this meal to my family. The

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-74393467148841698842009-12-20T10:11:00.005-05:002010-01-11T22:13:21.435-05:00

What could be better than watching the blizzard of '09 from inside your warm cozy home with a rich bottle of wine and a big pot of slowly simmering chicken with full flavors? Exactly.Cooking is one of the things I love most in the world and I continue to create dishes in the kitchen each night (or nearly each night) for my family. Some are repeats - my kids like pasta with peas, cream and

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-32631210894712105712009-11-25T14:18:00.005-05:002010-01-11T22:13:01.509-05:00

The other day I braved the horrific crowds at Costco for the items I needed for the week and for the holiday. While in there, I saw a very pretty (very LARGE) pumpkin cheesecake that looked so tempting. I opted to try it myself. I reviewed some recipes and compared them to my very traditional cheesecake recipe and combined a little of this and a little of that.I don't like cheesecake and I hate

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-50643734085752568332009-10-26T18:47:00.009-04:002010-01-11T22:12:45.608-05:00

As if we haven't been eating since September 16th...As if we've been eating only hot dogs and/or take-out...As if the blog no longer exists...As if!!!!!!!!!!!!!As you know, this blog began with the basic premise: home-cooked meals need not be laborious nor do they need to be made using 15 different exotic ingredients, etc. It was designed to show you (and maybe myself) that cooking for your

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-59994622590730824972009-09-16T12:47:00.003-04:002009-09-16T13:25:49.329-04:00

I know it's been sometime since my last blog entry and my "disappearance" has been cause for concern (thank you to those sending inquiries as to my whereabouts!) So, why haven't I been blogging these days? A few reasons: the new school year (getting ready and acclimated to a child in real school), increased load of extracurricular and work activity, and probably the biggest reason I've been

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-22672869946591621542009-08-27T19:17:00.006-04:002009-08-27T19:39:17.554-04:00

pizza with garlic-soaked fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh sliced mushrooms, air-cured bresoala, sliced artichokes, and kalamata olive halvesAhh, the debate: should moms work or stay-at-home. I'm not a child psychologist so I have no idea what is better for children and I haven't a clue what the research bears out but I do know that as a working mom I leave each day with a very heavy heart and

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-46050496548063317412009-08-25T19:39:00.000-04:002009-08-27T19:49:05.648-04:00

Not everything makes it to the blog, you know that by now. But here are a couple of items that were delicious and very easy to do but whose "recipe" I didn't exactly write down.barbecued pork loin with strawberry-blueberry saladNapoleons of Lemon-Oiled Grilled Eggplant, Tomato and Goat CheeseBamboo-Steamed Tilapia Fillets with Soy-Ginger-Cilantro Saucevar gaJsHost = (("https:" ==

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-27217018949531401022009-08-11T19:04:00.007-04:002009-08-11T19:24:41.843-04:00

Chicken, ham and Swiss? YUM! I love the way the cheese melts and the way the roll-up looks when sliced - like a bulls-eye! The combination of ham and cheese is so perfect with a mild chicken cutlet as the backdrop. And this was no different. It was cooked to perfection (thank you husband) and flavored lightly enough that the seasoning did not overpower - but rather enhanced - the entire package.

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-41467160924704949102009-08-09T11:30:00.005-04:002009-08-09T11:46:13.138-04:00

If you don't like veal stop reading here. If you like veal you should hurry up and make this! It was unreal. I saw a recipe for grilled veal chops but it had more of "X" and less of "Y" so I made a few minor alterations and all four chops disappeared from the plate. My son even tackled the bone! The flavors were so perfect together and the combination was just right. The smell while it was

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-38911463507767335102009-08-09T11:13:00.008-04:002009-08-09T11:30:09.888-04:00

Last summer I made a gratan just like this one - a recipe that was not mine but rather Ina Garten's. It was wonderful, a big hit! Hers featured tomatoes, zucchini and potatoes along with Gruyere cheese. So I modeled this after hers since it was so delicious but away went the potatoes and in came eggplant and Parmesan. The cooking time was far less since the potatoes take a great deal of time in

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-82644769937083816022009-08-08T15:55:00.002-04:002009-08-09T11:13:11.224-04:00

In the store today I saw a display of beautiful orange flowers. I've seen them before so I knew what they were but my husband was with me and he had never seen them nor did he realize one could actually eat them. So I promptly purchased them (what else would I do?) and sought advice from a book I have that I truly love (The Herb Farm Cookbook by Jerry Traunfeld).As it states in the book, these

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-25491934062644911222009-08-03T19:27:00.009-04:002009-08-03T20:00:36.419-04:00

Wow - I'm hooked! I am in love with Chinese Five-Spice Powder. It has always been one of those spices I've longed for but never been able to find in the store. Trader Joe's had it and naturally, I purchased it! Here is what Wikipedia had to say about it:Five-spice powder is a mixture of five spices[1][2] used in Chinese cuisine. One common recipe includes tunghing or "Chinese cinnamon" (also

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-32824094608799505052009-07-30T19:46:00.000-04:002009-08-03T20:01:04.244-04:00

I love skinny fried onions - don't know what it is about the crispy little things that make me opt for them each time they're offered, but I love them! Here is my attempt (they were pretty good!).Slice a large Vidalia onion into very thin rounds. Drop them into a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Drop them carefully into a - VERY HOT - heavy large pot of olive oil (don't overcrowd them

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-81015906640034590532009-07-24T19:12:00.006-04:002009-07-24T19:21:18.150-04:00

How quickly can you fire up your grill? Exactly. So this dinner could not have been any easier - really. It couldn't have been.Perfectly salted meat tastes incredible when fired up on the barbecue. So all I did here was generously (very generously) salt four rib eye steaks with Kosher salt. I let them sit out at room temperature about 15 minutes before putting them on the grill (about the time it

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-40971783669428631232009-07-23T21:31:00.007-04:002009-07-24T19:21:03.857-04:00

Walking in the door a few minutes after 6:00 p.m. means anxious children, anxious mom, and an extra mess to clean! I find that the faster I work the more dishes I accumulate - oh well, can't think about that while trying to come up with a "dish." I had defrosted pork chops in the fridge and needed to cook them but I just could not fry them, again. Rushing through the kitchen was tough - should I

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-34811656673969222002009-07-14T21:42:00.007-04:002009-07-14T21:55:09.781-04:00

Into the fish phase of our summer...This dish came out better than expected. The fish was delightful, really. I was surprised (as was my husband who was leery of halibut) and generally pleased with the outcome. My husband, who grilled the fish, said it was easy on the BBQ and what he liked best was that the fillets actually stayed together and didn't fall apart as he cooked them. A real plus if

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-33071555030913038562009-07-14T21:07:00.007-04:002009-07-14T21:25:25.280-04:00

I think portabello mushrooms are terrific - they can actually stand alone as a meal with some crusty bread and good wine. How awesome is that? For a small price, you can have a "meaty-meatless" dinner. This was very quick and easy and, again, it can be served as a meal all by itself or as a side dish.Improvising on this is very much OK! Try various stuffings (let me know how they come out!).

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-49677909452096638922009-07-12T21:27:00.000-04:002009-07-14T21:41:55.899-04:00

This dish happens to be one of the best I make - it's so fresh that you feel as though you can only eat this outside on a wonderful evening! Break out a crisp white that will pair nicely and relax. This sauce won't get cold!Linguine with Fresh Plum Tomato Sauce2 Lbs. very ripe plum tomatoes1/2 cup fresh, chopped basil1 small onion, minced2 small cloves of garlic, minced1/2 cup olive oil1/2 cup

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-20883666223804737112009-07-09T21:56:00.002-04:002009-07-14T22:00:52.409-04:00

This was ok...but not great. Used black and white sesame seeds (clearly!) along with Ahi Tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and ground ginger. It certainly looked pretty but I felt it wasn't quite ready for the blog. Just thought I'd share. I'll perfect this and get back to you!

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-67733267942539168212009-07-06T20:51:00.005-04:002009-07-06T21:10:31.226-04:00

While shopping for fish recently I saw a sign that said: Salmon is high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids: eat more Salmon this summer. Well put.While I don't claim to be a nutritionist, I do know that these Fatty Acids are incredibly good for your brain and for your body. I happen to enjoy salmon and it's great that the kids will eat it, as well. I admit that I have to coach them and coax them into it but

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-837106478637354812009-07-05T21:45:00.005-04:002009-07-05T21:52:18.892-04:00

If forced, my kids will eat fruit. Naturally it's not the first thing they want when asking for their nightly dessert. Now that it's summer, there is such a wide variety of readily available fruit that it seems criminal not to have it by the bucket!After dinner I enlisted my daughter's assistance in assembling these pretty dishes. She was so happy to help that she forgot there was fruit under the

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-15960286335083695082009-07-05T21:29:00.006-04:002009-07-05T21:44:16.277-04:00

This dish reminded me of the terrific Spanish-Style Tapas of the same sort. The last time I ate Spanish food was about two years ago while on a trip to Florida - and I can still smell the garlic. This was so easy that is took longer to clean-up than it did to prepare.Be sure to have some crusty bread on hand for soaking up the left over oil.Roasted Spanish Style Shrimp1 lb. large shrimp (26-30

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-37057432666785718432009-07-05T09:43:00.005-04:002009-07-05T10:02:02.922-04:00

Today, the day after the 4th of July, was a gorgeous summer day here in the North East. It was simply perfect - bright blue sky, sunny, no clouds, cool breeze. It begged for a walk through the neighborhood followed by a quick blueberry muffin bake.I had extra berries from the flag cake made the day before so I thought this was a perfect way to avoid wasting them! These were so fluffy and still

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-87990200116832802362009-07-03T20:54:00.004-04:002009-07-03T20:59:03.052-04:00

The 4th of July; a wonderful celebration with family and friends.(Strawberry Swirl Cake with Vanilla Buttercream, topped with Blueberries and Raspberries)var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));var pageTracker = _gat._

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-63718996188941450712009-07-02T10:38:00.011-04:002009-07-02T11:08:42.589-04:00

I try to imagine what would be interesting and exciting for the summer barbecue using the pork chops in the refrigerator. I search through some recipes and then take a mix and match approach. I love muted spices - quiet ones - not necessarily "in your face look at me I'm really hot" spice. That's tough to take. And to counter the smokey flavors I like, I love to use fruits and vegetables that are

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-7491159763447130482009-06-29T20:08:00.008-04:002009-06-29T20:33:02.150-04:00

What is the key to an awesome hamburger? Many chefs try to figure that out but in my humble opinion, I happen to think that the best burgers start with one key ingredient: fat.The "fat is flavor" concept works for things like mashed potatoes - using butter and heavy cream - or say a breakfast sandwich with bacon, eggs and cheese. So using that concept I wanted to make the most flavorful burger I

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-86508328254170719312009-06-27T20:34:00.002-04:002009-06-29T20:40:24.725-04:00

None of these seemed worthy of a blog post but I wanted to share with you some of the things I've been up to lately...feel free to give me a shout if you want a particular recipe!Pasta with asparagus, sliced mushrooms, peppers and white winePork Spare Ribs with Chipotle, Vanilla and Bourbon Saucevar gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-60784953791765857272009-06-24T23:05:00.005-04:002009-06-29T20:32:49.332-04:00

Check out: Alta Cucina's new "store." Become a member at http://www.altacucinastore.com and receive 10% discount on your purchases.Enjoy your food!var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-653439212285083362009-06-17T20:12:00.004-04:002009-06-17T20:27:04.605-04:00

How can you not associate fried chicken with summer? It's terrific for picnics, BBQs, and just general gatherings. But frying chicken well is an art, isn't it? I know everyone has a secret recipe. I think this may be the best attempt at fried chicken I've had yet! My secret? Buttermilk, salt, and a cast-iron (enameled) pot. You do need to prepare this overnight - so be aware of that and start

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-67868323377243086652009-06-15T19:55:00.002-04:002009-06-17T20:11:58.932-04:00

Turkey chili. Can it be good you ask? But of course! It's all in the flavor. You know, you really can't tell that it's not beef once it's cooked...I promise. I let this cook for over an hour and once it cooled, I put it into the fridge so we had dinner in no time the next day. When I came home I simply boiled water for the pasta and heat up the pot of chili!Turkey Chili1 lb. ground turkey 1 Tbsp.

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-63209946882527141232009-06-13T08:22:00.007-04:002009-06-13T14:36:27.167-04:00

Happy 3rd Birthday to my little engine. Tomorrow my guy turns three - hard to imagine, it goes by so quickly. But today we celebrate with all his friends and of course, Thomas the Tank Engine.This is two cakes (three batches of batter!) put together. I used a regular sheet pan/jelly roll pan for the base and the bottom of the Wilton Wonder Mold pan for the mountain. The mountain rocks are

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-29298807320991318022009-06-10T21:00:00.000-04:002009-06-10T21:21:53.660-04:00

Quick - This week King Kullen supermarkets has on sale Perdue legs and thighs for $1 per pound. (Yes, I mean one dollar). Buy them now and freeze them for later! Seriously, how many barbecues will you host this summer? Even if you never host a barbecue, at least you'll have a nice supply of healthy meat to eat. Go on - you'll thank me later. Without extras like vegetables and starch, this dinner

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-38062958821287279492009-06-03T21:23:00.004-04:002009-06-03T21:46:33.418-04:00

As the warm weather promises to arrive, the idea of a cold margarita gets more and more alluring. I enjoy those flavors and imagined them shaken, stirred (wrong drink, I know) and poured over a nice cut of grilled beef. But then what, right? One of the best things in the world is the combination of a cold margarita and guacamole made with fresh ripe avocado. That's when the idea hits me: a steak

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-3341611894897390062009-05-31T21:41:00.005-04:002009-05-31T22:02:38.529-04:00

Truthfully there is absolutely nothing like my mother's brisket. It's made on usually three - maybe four - occasions in a year: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover and sometimes Hanukkah. Each time we have it it's like eating it for the first time - and this is something I have eaten nearly four times annually since I'm about...2 years old. My children and my husband know it as "grandma's brisket

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-17468755358186448392009-05-24T18:31:00.009-04:002009-05-31T22:02:25.600-04:00

Last night friends came over and we had steaks and chicken sausage. Today, we had it again for lunch so by the time dinner rolled around I could not serve it again (or at least not in its plain form!). So I chopped up the steak and the sausage and combined it with risotto and peas. It was very good and while the kids complained about having leftovers for lunch, they were perfectly content eating

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341646176980763427.post-75535043814503999512009-05-22T17:39:00.005-04:002009-05-31T22:02:12.766-04:00

Wow - can you believe that today marks the one-year anniversary of Meredith's Food for Life? It's hard for me to imagine that one year ago I came home from a business trip where I was inspired by someone I'd never met before. That was a great trip - for lots of reasons! And to think that I have shared enough recipes with you to last a year? All I can say is...WOW.Thank you to all the readers who

Meredith Celentanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104734345802252563noreply@blogger.com0