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It's Grillin' Time: Sweet, sticky, and simple baby back ribs
If lobster is the quintessential element of an elegant and opulent dinner, then baby back ribs are the king of summertime grilling. Tender, juicy and falling off the bone goodness, baby back ribs add...
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Dinner tonight: Garden fresh, seriously-simple, spaghetti sauce with pasta
Put down that jar of sauce and step away! With an hour, a blender, and a plethora of fresh vegetables, you can create an amazing, simple, inexpensive, and healthy pasta sauce to serve your family any...
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It's cocktail time: Fresh and light Santa Barbara strawberry and guava sunset
The sun is shining; there is a light breeze in the air; someone just threw a ball into the neighbor's yard for the tenth time this week; and the family Star Wars-light saber battle is under way...
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Simple sides: Sweet and elegant summer strawberry-balsamic salad
Tired of serving the same old tired garden salads? You know, the ones in the bags at the grocery store. Well, here is an elegant, yet simple, salad that will please the eyes and tantalize the taste...
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Dinner tonight: Crisp, succulent, and tender roasted chicken
This recipe is a lifetime in the making. As a child I learned to cook from my mother, but with a family of picky eaters, she primarily prepared boneless, skinless chicken breasts for meals. Cooking a...
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Dinner tonight: It's a slow cooker summer with tender beef and vegetable stew
I love using a slow cooker when it's hot out, and with summer now in full swing, this definitely qualifies as being hot! While grilling is a great way to beat the heat and keep your kitchen cool...
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Top 5 dishes for a fabulous outdoor dining menu
When the warm weather hits, I love taking dinner time to the outside. There is nothing as relaxing as sitting outside with a cool evening breeze, sipping a cocktail or glass of wine, and enjoying an...
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Top 5 favorite bargain summer wines and food pairings
A friend recently asked me if I prefer red or white wines. After pondering it for a moment, I said “why, both of course!” That may seem like a copout, but it is the absolute truth. How...
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Breakfast time! Oooey, gooey, and healthy chocolate-berry-walnut breakfast bars
I was recently in a breakfast rut. I have numerous healthy and quick breakfast ideas in my bag of tricks, but lately they have all seemed to feel, well, stale. In an effort to discover something new,...
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Perfect pairings: An easy and elegant fall menu
Hands down, fall is my favorite time of year. The trees are covered in green, gold, and red leaves (yes, even in Santa Barbara); there is a chill in the air; and with every breath I am greeted with...
View Article5 simple and light meals for late night dining
With busy schedules and odd hours, sometimes it's tough to find the energy or time to have a healthy and light dinner at home, instead of stopping at the drive through for that quick fix. So for...
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Easy and elegant slow cooker chicken in wine sauce
Cold nights, warm fires, hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pine trees in the air; yes, the holidays are officially here. And, with the holidays comes busy nights of parties, visitors, and the always...
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Breakfast time: New Years Day hangover breakfast pie
For many, New Year's Day is a time of making resolutions, improving one's health, and maybe even their outlook on life. For me, and most of my family, it has also always been a time...
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Dinner tonight: Apple cider roasted pork loin with brown-sugar bourbon glaze
Even Santa Barbara feels like winter these days. Cool days and even cooler nights lead to thoughts of warm fires and warm roasted meats. One of my favorite meats to roast is a bone-in pork loin. Full...
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Four favorite simple and semi-healthy Super Bowl party foods (Photos)
The Super Bowl: a day of competition (on the field and in the living room); cheerleaders and commercials; and of course, the super bowl party necessity, drinks and food. So, the food: a filling...
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Dinner tonight: Crispy, juicy, and totally addicting chicken nuggets
Chicken nuggets: the staple food of childhood. Yet, most of the time we’re dealing with processed, unknown meat, and not much flavor. No more! These addictive little nuggets are full of flavor,...
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Four fabulous, budget-friendly, and easy meals
Times are tough for many of us. Although the economy is improving, many of us still feel the pinch of higher gas prices, higher grocery bills, and lower wages. Many even will be feeling even more of...
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Knock-your-blarney-socks-off Irish strawberry flummery dessert
I was doomed from birth to be a whiskey and wine girl. French from my dad's side; Irish from my mom's; and Southern from both. So, on St. Patrick's Day, I like to celebrate...
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Derby day! Bourbon glazed wings, watermelon-mint salad, and mint juleps
The Kentucky Derby has always held a special place in my heart. Although my family hails from Georgia, the Derby just always seems to encompass all that is special about the South: horses, beautiful...
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Four fun and fresh dishes for your Fourth of July bash or barbeque
July 4th is our time to celebrate the birth of our nation; that our forefathers realized that living under the rule of an oppressive, tyrannical government was unacceptable, and through their courage...
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