Making Lemonade is so easy! Follow these simple directions for cool refreshment for hot summer days. From Picnics to Parties you’ll  be glad you made it yourself and you’ll save money, too. 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 4 lemons […]

As a “welcome home” dinner, my sister-in-law Barbara, surprised me with one of my favorite dishes, Octopus! Octopus, a seafood similar to squid (calamari), is not a familiar food to everyone, but it is very common in our Mediterranean cuisine. We love […]

My Cherry Grower Girlfriends asked me to re-post this recipe for Cherry Focaccia. It uses fresh cherries and is delicious – warm from the oven it tastes like rich pastry with fresh cherry jam! Prepare the Focaccia dough as directed […]

Last week I tweeted about my family’s new Summer Tradition: Buonissma Salad on Wednesday Nights. Check out the recipe on page 80 of our cookbook – Cooking Dinner…and follow us on twitter: @cookingdinner for other menu ideas. Use leftover dressing […]

Simple to make Chocolate Cherries are a special treat. Pit each cherry, leaving the stem on. Wipe with a paper towel and dip into melted white or dark chocolate. Be sure to cover the hole. Place on parchment paper. Can […]

A Big Thank You to Lynette Zeiter for sharing this recipe and to Carol, Carol and Maggie for preparing 10 pounds of candied walnuts for the Children’s Home of Stockton, Ladies Auxiliary 2012 Valley Garden Fair. Candied Walnuts: Beat 2 […]

Sunday I had the pleasure of being invited back to do several cooking demonstrations at the very successful Saint Mary’s Olive Oil Festival. I like to mix things up so I invited my good friend and great cook Marianne to […]

Use our 5 Minute Focaccia Pizza Dough Mix or Original 5 Minute Focaccia Mix. Prepare dough following package directions. Drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil into a 9×12″ baking pan. Spread risen dough into pan. Bake in a preheated […]

Celebrate The Kentucky Derby with a party. If your event is planned for the evening – record the race and show it when your guests arrive. My menu includes Mint Juleps, Grilled Prawns, Sweet Potato Fries and Derby Day Pulled […]

Make your own Mini Rolls with our Five Minute Focaccia Pizza Dough Mix. Follow directions to prepare the dough. After it has risen, pinch off some a little more than the size of a golf ball. Roll into a nice […]