The wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary over the weekend. After considerable conversation about where we might go and what activities we might both enjoy, she came up with an idea that wouldn’t have come to me if I’d sat on a rock for a hundred years. My wife suggested that we [...]

Carrots and onions are budget friendly vegetables that can give a ho-hum meal an easy and colorful burst of flavor. Lightly browning carrots and onions in butter brings the natural sugar to the surface to caramelize. 1 large onion (enough for 2 cups) 6 carrots (enough for 4 cups) 1/4 cup sweet cream butter Salt Pepper, freshly cracked and ground Peel [...]

A cookie recipe for all seasons, we love homemade lemon thins. Serve with fresh fruit for a light summer dessert. On a cold winter day, hot honey tea and lemon cookies will warm you heart and soul. 1/2 cup butter flavor vegetable shortening, room temperature 2 tablespoons sweet cream butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon lemon [...]

This lemon parsley rice recipe is delicious with chicken or fish, and makes a great light lunch. The flavor is better than the boxed stuff and it’s less expensive, too. It’s better for your health, too, since you make it with fresh ingredients, with no chemicals or preservatives. 1 cup onion, peeled and minced 2 tablespoons sweet [...]

There used to be a place on Hollywood Boulevard where members of the entertainment industry would line up, often beneath a broiling sun, sometimes suffering humiliation and even physical abuse, for the privilege of dining. And I joyfully joined them, despite the inconvenience and the discomfort and yes, sometimes, the abuse; for the food [...]

With grilling season upon us, the thing I look most forward to is the array of fresh flavors that salads and slaws bring to the table. This Asian-style recipe is packed full of flavor, with less calories than mayonnaise laden dressings. 1/2 pound English cucumber (1 large) 6 cups Napa cabbage 2 cups carrots 1/2 cup rice vinegar 1 tablespoon [...]

Perfect for a meatless meal, serve pasta and lentils with a salad for satisfying, budget friendly fare. I’m fond of recipes made from things we normally keep on hand, especially when they taste great! 1-1/2 cups onion, peeled and finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/3 cup uncooked lentils 1 carrot, washed and finely chopped 1/4 [...]

Healthy and flavorful, this North African inspired carrot salad recipe is very budget friendly. You’ll find this an excellent choice for picnics and barbecues, since it contains no egg or dairy which can quickly spoil. 6 cups carrots, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 [...]

Carrot recipes are a great friend to the cook’s budget. If you don’t have sweet sherry on hand, Sauterne wine is an excellent substitute. 2 tablespoons butter 4 cups carrots, washed shredded 1 onion, peeled and minced 1/2 cup sweet Sherry 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper, freshly cracked and ground Melt the better in a lidded saucepan over medium-heat. Add [...]

Pasta with mushroom and caper sauce is a satisfying fast-fix recipe that serves as a vegetarian entrée, light supper or side dish. This recipe is handy if you tend to buy too many mushrooms. I half the recipe and serve with a salad for a quick dinner for two. 3 cups corkscrew pasta 8 ounces mushrooms 2 tablespoons [...]