Category Archives: Super Simple Is Key!

National New England Clam Chowder Day

Super Simple New England Clam Chowder Celebrate this classic American dish with clams, potatoes, onions…. and bacon, or I’d be lost! 4 (6.5-oz) cans chopped clams in clam juice 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped 2 T butter 2 large sweet … Continue reading

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Peachy Perfection

For National Peach Melba Day, let’s whip up a batch of this delectable Victorian-era dessert, originally made from peaches, raspberries, and ice cream. (Hmmm… rather like a frozen Bellini.) The dish was created by French Chef Auguste Escoffier in 1893 … Continue reading

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A Chip Off the Old Cookie

For National Shortbread Day, I thought I toss in a twist on the standard, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookie. With Potato Chip Cookies, you get all that sweet decadence with a balanced touch of saltiness tossed in and a touch of crispiness, … Continue reading

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Food Fest!

I enjoy sharing recipes on my website and social media articles. In 2024, I am pleased to note that I shared some 4 dozen recipes with you. Some have been previously published in my various cookbooks; others are new. They … Continue reading

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We’re Cooking Now!

For National “Cook for Christmas” Day, I prefer to think of it as PRE-Cook for Christmas. These are the days when I prep all that I can ahead of the holiday celebrations. Thus, at party time, I can enjoy the … Continue reading

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National Comfort Food Day

For National Comfort Food Day, hearty meals like chicken pot pie, warm soups, and meatloaf come to mind.           So, I opened up “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites,” the “Brunch, Lunch & Entrees” edition in … Continue reading

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National Eat a Cranberry Day

I love cranberries. fresh, crispy, and crazy sassy! ‘Tis the season to make your favorite cranberry sauce and/or cranberry relish. Another fun twist is Cranberry Applesauce. The color is luscious, and you can tweak the sassiness to suit your personal … Continue reading

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Oh, Deer!

Some mornings are more dear (deer) than others. LOL! Mom and her first-year twin fawns were romping beside our kitchen deck today. They play like puppies.

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Coffee Ice Cream Day

  For National Coffee Ice Cream Day enjoy your ice cream as it is or with some extra coffee beans or chocolate chips.           Or mix some into a mudslide… along with some vodka, coffee liqueur, … Continue reading

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Go Coconuts!

  For World Coconut Day enjoy coconut fresh or in a favorite dish. Try adding shredded coconut (or coconut milk or water) to rice, a favorite cookie or cake, in breading for fish, chicken, or shrimp, or in a soup, … Continue reading

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Eat Outside!

For National Eat Outside Day, we all know what to do! Enjoy your picnic!

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Beach It!

Hmmm… let’s see. How should we celebrate National Beach Day? Hah! Let’s go to the beach… or at least daydream about beaching it. Enjoy!

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National Waffle Day

Make them waffles; make them chaffles (cheesy, but no flour). Make them for breakfast; make them for dessert.       But this is the day to make ‘em!

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Drink Rum, Mateys!

Celebrate National Rum Day with a favorite rum cocktail. Great for summer is an icy cold punch. Orange Pineapple Rum Punch. Ice 1 ½ oz coconut or spiced rum, as you prefer 2 oz orange juice 1 ½ oz pineapple … Continue reading

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National Julienne Fries Day

August 12th is an annual day to celebrate the shoestring fried potatoes. A French favorite since the early 1700s, julienne cut fries are cut in thin, uniform matchsticks. These are the opposite of the thick, meaty steak-cut fries, so on … Continue reading

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Sandwiched in Style

  Enjoy your ice cream any way you may want, but today is the day to glob it between a couple of favorite cookies! Celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!

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Hot Diggitty Dog!

Celebrating National Chili Dog Day? Also called the Coney dog or even chili con carne, top your favorite frankfurter with gobs of gorgeous chili… plus onions, cheese, or any other toppings that suit your taste. The chili dog is totally … Continue reading

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National Cheese Day

For National Cheese Day, you can celebrate with your favorite cheese and crackers or a charcuterie board, or a great grilled cheese sandwich. I will also suggest a terrifically tasty Roasted Cream Cheese. (Yup… BBQ grill or oven.) You can … Continue reading

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National Asparagus Day

  For those who love fresh veggies, fresh from-the-garden asparagus is a perfectly splendid Spring delight.           Asparagus spears serve as a beautiful accompaniment to meats and fish.       They are also delightful in … Continue reading

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Eat What You Want Day

“Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.” — Unknown Thanks to you all for the multitude of sweet birthday wishes yesterday. I enjoyed a splendid 70th with a few friends who … Continue reading

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National Cheese Fondue Day

  For National Cheese Fondue Day, I gleefully share a recipe from my book: “Champagne! Facts, Fizz, Food, & Fun.” (Yes, still available in paperback and digital formats.) This timeless classic may be decades old, but it still reigns as … Continue reading

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Calling All Beer Fans

Celebrate National Beer Day with your favorite brew. For me, I’ll take my beer in a marinade or a splendid pub cheese.  Try this beauty served up with crackers, raw veggies, or warm pretzels.   Beer Cheese 3 T butter … Continue reading

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National Chocolate Mousse Day

Celebrate National Chocolate Mousse Day with my Super Simple Triple Chocolate Mousse. Luscious layers of chocolate mousse get adorned with whipped cream and fresh berries.       Super Simple Triple Chocolate Mousse This is not only Super Simple, but … Continue reading

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Easter Blessings

  Happy Easter to one and all!

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National Tortilla Chip Day

  Make them fresh or tear into a favorite bag of tortilla chips today to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day.         Munch them, dip them, stick them into your favorite guacamole, or make nachos. Yummmmm.     … Continue reading

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National Baked Scallops Day

I do love the sweet, tenderness of scallops. Prepare them any way you like… on the half shell, baked-stuffed, wrapped in bacon or pesto encrusted. Here’s a recipe I first created in 1980, I’ve only done the very slightest update … Continue reading

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Pepperoni Pizza Dip!

For National Snack Day, let’s munch down on a little Pepperoni Pizza Dip. Super Simple and soooo satisfying. (The picture is how it looks heading into the oven. Sorry… no picture of how it looked when we took it out … Continue reading

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Rumaki Anyone?

I was recalling Rumaki, a popular appetizer from the 1950s & 60s. Thought you might like this updated rendition and some variations. Rumaki 1 recipe of Asian Sauce (below) 6 chicken livers, halved 6-oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained 6 … Continue reading

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Snack Attack!

Celebrate National Snack Food Month with something salty and delicious. For me, while serving up fresh crostini with some Tomatoes Roma, I included nibbles on the side thanks to our friend, Marti Williams, who introduced us to these addictive little … Continue reading

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Have a Hot Breakfast

  We’re celebrating National Hot Breakfast Month during February. Fresh, warm muffins… eggs and bacon… hot cereal with raisins or berries and brown sugar… pancakes or waffles with warmed 100% pure maple syrup. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. … Continue reading

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Say, “Cheese!”

For National Cheese Lover’s Day, I’ll share my updated 1990s recipe for stuffed zucchini boats. They are Super Simple and fast to make. They’re moist and cheesy. Cathy’s Stuffed Zucchini Boats 3 medium zucchini, not peeled, ends cut off, halved … Continue reading

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National Hot Pastrami Day

I can think of no better way to celebrate National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day than sinking my teeth into the crunchy, savory, succulent, perfectly grilled sandwich! Pastrami on rye was introduced to Americans in 1888 by Romanian immigrant Sussman Volk. … Continue reading

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National Bloody Mary Day

While the Bloody Mary is typically consumed by mid-afternoon, enjoy one any time you like! Let our recipe get you started. Bloody Mahhhvelous Mary A classic Bloody Mary is a combo of vodka, double that amount of tomato juice, some … Continue reading

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Christmas Blessings

  Christmas blessings were in abundance at Café Martin this year. With a table set for 24 and lots of incredible edibles, including baked ham, roasted potatoes, and grilled fresh pineapple spears, no one went hungry.         … Continue reading

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It’s Beer-30 Somewhere!

Celebrate National Lager Day with a favorite “cold one.” Or prep some recipe that lets your lager shine. I do not drink any beers, but beer, lager, wines, and other liqueurs work perfectly in various, scrumptious recipes. Here’s one of … Continue reading

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Cookie Monster!

Let’s look ahead to tomorrow, which is National Cookie Day, launched in 1987 by Ohio’s Blue Chip Cookie Company. Everyone has a favorite cookie, and more cookies are baked in the month of December than any other! But why not … Continue reading

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Don’t Fritter Away National Fritters Day!

    Whip up some yummy fritters to tantalize your taste buds! “They” say that fritters have been around since the days of ancient Rome, and their popularity is even greater today.     For breakfast or dessert, it’s tough … Continue reading

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November Is National Pepper Month

  We are blessed to have luscious peppers available to us throughout the year. We often may think of sautéing peppers and onions to add to a sandwich… or stuffing whole peppers as an entrée.     But I made … Continue reading

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National Stuffing Day

This is a great time to do early preps for your turkey’s stuffing. I get all my onions and celery finely diced, sauteed, and seasoned ahead of time. (I even freeze them earlier in the month.) Then it’s Super Simple … Continue reading

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National Soup Day

Today is National Soup Day in Germany. Well, I’m going to celebrate it New England style with some Lobster Newburg. In my photo, you see a great way to go extra fancy for a full lobster bisque entrée. I garnished … Continue reading

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