Stylo and Substance
Celebrate this Mother’s Day in Joy and Style
“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” What does Mother’s Day mean to you? One doesn’t have to be a Mother or even have a living mother to appreciate Mother’s Day. Sure, having a biological mother to celebrate this day with is indeed a privilege. I am eternally grateful to my mother…read more
Chrissy Teigen’s Spicy Clams and Pasta
Although I have been making this dish for years, this is the best recipe I have run across to date. It is really flavorful, unlike some versions that have too much or too little sauce, and has the right proportions of everything, especially the pepper! You can substitute Littleneck clams for the Manila clams; because…read more
Summer Breeze Gift Basket
Are you going to be a house guest this summer? Why just take flowers or a bottle of wine when you can bring a customized “Summer Breeze” gift in a reusable planter? Granted, most of us may not be visiting Provence or a place with lavender and jasmine fields blowing in the background. However, herbal…read more
It’s Not A Fourth of July Celebration Without ___________?
It’s almost July 4th, that time of year when folks like to chill and grill! What do you consider to be the top 4 essential foods to have at a 4th of July barbecue? According to USA Today, here’s the list: Hot Dogs Hamburgers Chicken Wings Potato Salad Followed by cupcakes, ribs, baked beans, corn on…read more
Summertime and the Living is Easy
A Summer Living Recipe and Wine Pick Those of you who know me well know how much I love music. I frequently speak in musical metaphors. I also love to cook and put my own spin on traditional recipes. I call this dish “Hot Buttered Soul,” as a tribute to Isaac Hayes Some time ago, I…read more
Jamaican Joy
Made a Caribbean dinner of jerk chicken, rice and peas and a shaved Brussels sprouts salad tonight. I marinated the chicken in Walkerswood jerk marinade, before grilling it in a cast iron grill pan and finishing it off in a 250 degree oven to ensure it was cooked all the way through but not dried out. The shaved…read more
Memories of Father Figures
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give a person. He believed in me.” — Jim Valvano “My father used to say it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, ‘You never know what you can accomplish until you try.'” — Michael Jordan These two quotes from…read more
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Father’s Day is this coming Sunday. Let us help you put together a Father’s Day gift for the Father Figure(s) in your life. HELP DAD ENTERTAIN IN STYLE THIS FATHER’S DAY WITH A “SMOKE, SPIRIT & SAVOR” FATHER’S DAY GIFT BOX CUSTOMIZED WITH ANY COMBO OF THE FOLLOWING: * BARBECUE RUB * *…read more
Daddy’s Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a comfort food that reminds me of my daddy. It’s his favorite meal, and as a bachelor he learned to perfect it. Daddy likes fried chicken so much that his friends nicknamed him “Yardbird.” Here’s how to make Daddy’s famous fried chicken: What you will need: A large skillet or Dutch oven 2…read more
Blackberry Lemonade
The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice… Whoever first said this was really onto something. It’s true that the deeper colored foods tend to have more flavor and nutritional value. Think of sweet potatoes versus white potatoes, brown rice versus white rice and dark leafy greens like collards and kale, compared to iceberg lettuce.…read more
How to Shuck Oysters on the Half Shell at Home
I love oysters, and one of my favorite summer snacks is oysters on the half shell with a crisp, “minerally” white wine like Muscadet, Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked French Chardonnay. If you enjoy oysters on the half shell or just like to use the freshest most flavorful oysters possible for your fried oysters or…read more