Sassafras Mama

This salad is a warm weather staple at my home - arugula with pesto, tomatoes, burrata , and a smidge of olive oil and vinegar. We have it ...

  The season for fresh strawberries has arrived and I have made use of the delicious bounty to be found in our local markets.  I made strawb...

My Grandma Mac was an amazing cook and her carrot cake was to die for - filled with raisins, pineapple, and nuts and frosted with the riche...

Early on in the pandemic lock down, there were chicken shortages at our local market,   Chicken is the universal favorite food among the in...

I like Thanksgiving leftovers best when they can be turned into something new.   One of my favorite post-holiday treats are the tu...

This salad is the perfect warm weather dish and served with some fresh fruit and crusty bread, it’s delicious and easy.   The reci...

Spring Break gives me the luxury of some unscheduled time.   I used some of mine to make things, including homemade lemon curd. ...

For me, one of the nicest things about Thanksgiving is the leftovers that can be turned into delicious meals.   My absolute favorite “lefto...

One of the reasons that I enjoy cooking is that it involves the completion of a project.  Much of my professional life is about works-in-pr...

In New Jersey, diners are located on nearly every corner.  They have huge menus and serve breakfast all day.  In this state, they are an in...

On Sunday evenings, the weekend’s relaxation gives way to chores to get ready for the work week and that often feels a little depressing to...

Homemade boursin, known to us as white cheese, is a long-standing favorite at Sassafras House and I make it fairly often. Most often...

I have a couple of different scone recipes.  This one results in a moist, rich dough and is less dry than a traditional scone.  The recipe ...

Perhaps its because of my California origins that I find homemade Mexican food to be the best sort of comfort food.  And at the very top of...

When I was a kid, my dad made homemade popcorn in a popcorn popper and it was the most delicious of treats.  As an adult, I love popcor...

Back in my misspent youth, I lived in Nashville where there was a chain of restaurants known as O’Charley’s.  Among other things, they made...

Many of my most favorite recipes an inheritance of my Grandma Mac, who was one hell of a cook.  That lady could put out a spread with h...

One of the best things about summer is homegrown tomatoes.  I wait all year for the pleasures of these tomatoes and when enough have ac...

Last weekend’s good weather put me in a grilling mood.  Grilled burgers, chicken, and hot dog invariably means side dishes and I have a nic...

It is a Southern tradition that a heaping serving of black eyed peas on New Year’s day will help to secure good luck in the new year.  Thou...