Category Archives: Super Simple Is Key!

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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Happy Harvey Wallbanger Day!

Looking for a wild and crazy boat drink? Or perhaps an Italian spin on a classic cocktail. Consider a Harvey Wallbanger… but be prepared. Sure, it’s just a kicked-up screwdriver, but the Galliano “kick” delivers 42.3% alcohol. Created in the … Continue reading

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National Chocolate Day

Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t. But if chocolate is a passion, try these super simple beauties! Your tastebuds will thank you. Super Simple Dark Chocolate Pecans 1 ½ bars Lily’s intensely dark chocolate 5 oz pecan … Continue reading

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Celebrate National Cooking Day

Favorite foods in the US range from Buffalo chicken wings and hot dogs to crab cakes, mac & cheese, popcorn, and nachos. If Americans are cooking at home, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, chicken, and apple pie rank highly. So, on … Continue reading

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National Cheese Toast Day

Not to be confused with a grilled cheese sandwich, cheese toast is a single slice of bread… topped with cheese and then baked or broiled to unleash the cheese’s melty mahhhhhvelousness.  Mom introduced me to this back in the 1950’s. … Continue reading

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Celebrate National Hot Dog Day!

Make them all real or no deal. For me, that means no substitute or fat-free fillers, and they’ve gotta be natural casing franks for this chick. My all-time faves are Schonland’s (now owned & packaged by Kayem).       … Continue reading

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National Wiener Schnitzel Day

Wiener Schnitzel is a treasured Austrian dish, which translates to Viennese cutlets. Believe it or not, by law the cutlets must be veal. Yes… you can turn pork and chick cutlets into schnitzel, too. Today, we’ll make the real deal. … Continue reading

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National Acorn Squash Day

One of my Grandmother Gulumian’s favorite veggies to cook was acorn squash. She’d halve them, roast them, and then fill them with mixed veggies in a creamy alfredo sauce. Here’s my favorite recipe twist. Cranberry Apple Acorn Squash 2 small … Continue reading

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International Bacon Day

I guess I truly do not care how many days of the year get dedicated to the love of bacon. I am there! In celebration of several food favorites, I offer you: Bacon Cheddar Popcorn. 4-6 slices bacon, regular or … Continue reading

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National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

  As with many of us, I enjoyed toasting marshmallows over the coals of a campfire.   We can also celebrate National Toasted Marshmallow Day with a smore… the traditional graham cracker- chocolate bar-marshmallow sandwich or any variation, like the … Continue reading

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National Chop Suey Day

Chop Suey epitomizes American Chinese cuisine. Both Chop Suey and Chow Mein are stir-fry dishes. Chow Mein is an authentic Chinese dish, while Chop Suey is totally Americanized. In preparing Chow Mein we typically mix the stir-fried ingredients in with … Continue reading

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National Bacon Lovers Day

Annually, on August 20th, we celebrate National Bacon Lovers Day. If you are a fan… and you know who you are… this day invites us to indulge in all things bacon.       Perhaps you’ll add a peppery slice … Continue reading

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August 13th

On this day in history… 1961… Construction began on the Berlin Wall 1960… First 2-way telephonic conversation took place via satellite 1918… First woman enlisted in the Marines Birthdays today? 1926 Fidel Castro 1899 Alfred Hitchcock

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National Oyster Day

August 5th celebrates the different species of bivalve mollusks that can be eaten. Hello, Oysters! Since Roman times there is evidence of oysters as a culinary treat. In the 19th century, NY harbor was the largest producer of oysters in … Continue reading

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Celebrate National White Wine Day!

  “It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine…  it’s summertime!” — Kenny Chesney (1968 – ) American singer & songwriter   To know me is to know that my white wine must be mega chilled (yup, … Continue reading

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Welcome to National Daiquiri Day!

Daiquiri is a great cocktail, but it is also the name of a beach and town on the southeastern tip of Cuba… and an iron mine near Santiago de Cuba. “They” say that the Daiquiri was invented in 1898 by … Continue reading

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Celebrate Fresh Spinach Day the Easy Way!

Hubby is a huge fan of spinach… in salad, omelets, pasta, or whatever. His favorites are creamed or sauteed spinach. Skip frozen or canned spinach (sorry, Popeye). After preparing in traditional ways for years, we learned that we both prefer … Continue reading

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June 17th is “National Eat Your Vegetables” Day

Roast them, caramelize them, or munch them raw, vegetables are colorful, flavorful, and full of health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. At this time of year, grilling veggies is most popular. So, here’s a quick tip: If you marinate vegetables, do … Continue reading

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National Red Rose Day

Whatever your favorite roses may be, the red rose has long been associated with romance, passion, and beauty. On National Red Rose Day grow your own roses or visit a rose garden. Sprinkle some rose petals on a loved one’s … Continue reading

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National Yucatan Shrimp Day

Yucatan Shrimp combines authentic Mexican cuisine with some Caribbean flair. But surprise! Yucatan Shrimp comes from Florida, though inspired by Mexico. The dish was created by Doc Ford’s Bar & Grille of southwest Florida fame. (Check them out in Fort … Continue reading

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International Being You Day

  Of course, we’ve all likely heard various expressions that encourage us to be ourselves. Well, yeah… Everyone else is already taken. But while we are being ourselves, why not try being our best selves? We all have happier days … Continue reading

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National Pick Strawberries Day

  In many areas, strawberries are not quite ripe yet. In others, the luscious berries have already been getting picked for several weeks. Regardless, every year on May 20th we recognize National Pick Strawberries Day. My sister and I recently … Continue reading

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National Walnut Day

National Walnut Day originated in 1949, thanks to the Walnut Marketing Board. It then received a presidential proclamation by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958. So, go ahead… celebrate! High in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, walnuts are not just for desserts. … Continue reading

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National Roast Leg of Lamb Day

Lamb is a delightfully tender, moist, and flavorful meat… when prepared well. When people say that lamb’s flavor is too strong for them, they likely had mutton, not lamb. Or it was overcooked. Lamb is one of those meats that … Continue reading

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National Raspberry Popover Day

Popovers deliver as a comfort food extraordinaire! I quite simply adore them… hot from the oven, crispy & golden on the outside, and yet soft and steamy inside… split and slathered with plenty of salty butter and then delightfully devoured. … Continue reading

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National Pretzel Day

“Twist like a pretzel without losing your salt.”   That was the theme of a popular “talk” I used to deliver as a business and motivational speaker in past decades. And I still see it as a worthy skill to … Continue reading

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