Baked Fennel Au Gratin with Orzo and Onion

I ate fennel nearly fifty years ago when my husband and I were in Zurich, Switerland in the mid-seventies where we studied Jungian psychology. I didn’t like this vegetable much back then because of its potent licorice flavor. Also, I wasn’t familiar with how to cook it. I only baked it with a sprinkle of…

Bun Cha -Vietnamese Meatballs

I had never heard of Vietnamese meatballs, until I was hired to make a light lunch for several ladies. It was a birthday luncheon and the special lady being honored, hailed from Vietnam. The casual event, a brunch, would be served in the backroom of their salon. All the ladies were hairdressers, and when business…

Stuffed Jumbo Shells, 4 Cheeses, Layered with a Meaty Marinara Sauce, Baked

Pasta for lunch, usually curly kinds  or other  elbow shaped varieties were common in my childhood.  That’s what our live-in maid/housekeeper cooked for us, ( my 3 younger siblings and I) often with butter swirled in,  plus  a smattering of American cheese scattered from above. As an adult I’m still fond of that meal, but…

Shepard’s pie with fresh Mediterranean flavor

My husband and I ate the pie so fast, I forgot to take a photo! But since we loved it so much, I’m surely going to repeat it.  Then I’ll take a picture, and in particular, get a good shot of the meaty bottom,  which is where most of the good flavor reside. (I finally…