Category Archives: Memorable Meals

There’s something about the combination of mint and bourbon that can only mean a Kentucky Derby tie-in. I love the combination. The mint and bourbon both come through on this one, and the brown sugar and bourbon both help make a nice crust on this grilled flank steak. Of course it doesn’t have to be served just on Derby Day…Mint (grow your own—even I can get mint to grow) is just a nice, surprising addition to a lot of savory … continued…

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Barb Freda Healthy, Delicious Recipes Memorable Meals Summer Grilling

This egg dish is inspired by a craving for a Greek soup, avgolemono, which is thickened with eggs and flavored with lemon. When I realized what I wanted more than soup was the soft eggs, flecked with dill and lemon and flavored with lean ground beef, I couldn’t wait to serve this up. At our house, eggs are either a weekend morning meal or a fallback supper when we are charging in 20 different directions. Serve these eggs with a … continued…

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Barb Freda Healthy, Delicious Recipes Heart Healthy Memorable Meals

Did you know that tomorrow is Garlic Day? That has to be a day near and dear for me. When my husband plays his “what could you never give up” game, garlic is always near the top of the list. So in honor of Garlic Day, here’s a recipe using an entire head of garlic, roasted until it is smooth and sweet-tasting. Mix it with just a touch of butter, plenty of herbs, and you get one great garlic pesto. … continued…

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Barb Freda Healthy, Delicious Recipes Memorable Meals

My sister is one of my favorite people in the world. When I looked at the calendar for inspiration this month, I saw Sibling Day (April 10) — Pat makes the most delicious pork roast with meltingly sweet onions—I knew I had to adapt it to an eye of round roast. The flavors lend themselves to this (I just made it a little heartier with red wine and red onions), and it really could not have been simpler. Once the … continued…

Barb Freda Cool Weather Cooking Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holidays Memorable Meals

I am making a concerted effort to try something new at least once a week, and this week, it’s beet greens. Well, to be honest, we’ve been eating them at least once a week for the past three weeks, ever since the farmer selling the beets asked whether or not I wanted the greens left on the bunch of beets she was selling me.  I’ve had them roasted with a touch of oil and salt, where they are a bit … continued…

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Barb Freda Healthy, Delicious Recipes Memorable Meals

There are certain things a steak dinner or a pot of beef stew always call for in our house, and no dinner is complete unless we have these specific menus. Some might call it a rut. We call it … tradition! (Keep the fat content down by using more stock than cream, but don’t be afraid of a splash of cream!) Creamed Spinach: Classic steakhouse side, right? Make it yourself: sauté onions and garlic in a tiny bit of butter … continued…

Barb Freda Memorable Meals

A while back I read about a neighborhood in which one couple pretty much opened their home to friends, family and neighbors. They hosted what was basically a standing open house. It was casual, fun, filling and inviting. I always wanted to do that. One thing I remember is that soup was always the central dish around which was built the rest of the meal – usually anyone coming showed up with side dishes or desserts. The beauty of soup … continued…

Barb Freda Cool Weather Cooking Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking Memorable Meals

Sliced Roast Beef with Two Sauces: Sweet Red Pepper Vinaigrette Green Benedictine Sauce with a Touch of Bourbon Rolls Green Beans Roasted and Tossed with Almonds Potato Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette About the menu: Sliced beef served with several sauces is an ideal way to start a buffet. You can cook and chill the roast ahead. Set out a beautiful platter of the sliced beef, and let guests help themselves, choosing their own sauces. Add rolls in case anyone wants … continued…

Barb Freda Cool Weather Cooking Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking Memorable Meals

Rolled Laura’s Lean Beef Tenderloin with Spinach Filling Roasted Root Vegetables Mashed Rutabaga Mixed Green Salad with Pomegranate and Pecans and Pomegranate Vinaigrette About the menu: Roast tenderloin always seems like an indulgence, so it’s worth of the main holiday meal. Find whole tenderloins when they are on sale and freeze them for use at your holiday dinner. To trim a tenderloin, use a sharp boning knife and carefully trim all the fat and the thin membrane, known as silver … continued…

Barb Freda Cool Weather Cooking Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking Memorable Meals

Makes about 5 cups Prep time: About 35 minutes after roasting beef Pan drippings (if any) from Laura’s Lean Beef roast beef Vegetables roasted under beef 2/3 cup flour 1 cup red wine 6 cups beef stock 1. Roast beef according to directions, but place 1 sliced onion, 2 carrots and 2 stalks celery, fresh thyme and 1 bay leaf under beef before roasting. Remove beef to rest and make gravy in roasting pan. 2. Place roasting pan over medium-high … continued…

Barb Freda Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking Memorable Meals