BLT Mac and Cheese

If I close my eyes I am eight years old again, curiously watching my mother and grandmother eat a shared BLT on wheat toast. The tomatoes are from Mom's garden; Grammie fried the bacon and toasted the bread while Mom was outside picking them. I was instructed to set the table and to find myself something to eat since I couldn't stomach the thought of a raw tomato. As we sit together around the end of the dining room table I watch, speechless, as they savor the sweet, salty flavors and crunch through crisp lettuce tucked between two slices of caramel colored wheat toast.

Did it really happen that way? Were the tomatoes from Mom's garden? They might have been. She's always grown them (except this year...) and Grammie often did the cooking (even at Mom's house...) and I always dutifully did what I was told... no, wait, scratch that last one. That certainly never rarely happened.

Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies

Yup, you read that correctly: Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies. What's better than a salty-sweet chocolate chip cookie? One with bacon in it of course! And in summer to beat the heat? Slather it with maple ice cream and add cold and creamy to the heady mix of flavors and textures.

Now, I know some of you are cringing and gagging out, "why?!" but really, it's no weirder than chocolate chip pancakes with a side of bacon. Bacon lends itself beautifully to sweet foods and to maple in particular. So don't knock it til you try it and you should definitely try it!

The Best Grilled Cheese I Ever Ate

I know, I know, that's a big, bold statement to say this is the best grilled cheese I ever ate. But it's true. Oh sure, there might be a grilled cheese somewhere in the future that is better. That is just a little cheesier, a little crispier, a little more savory... but until that day comes to pass I stand by my statement. For this is no ordinary grilled cheese. In fact, Sade could sing a whole new song about this sandwich.

I get together with a small group of girlfriends about every 18 months for a swap party. We all bring our too big or too small clothes or the ones that just don't work for us individually and we swap. My awesome bright red spring coat came from my friend Liz the first year of the swap and my new jeans (tags still on!) came from my friend Ann this year. Everyone brings their bundle, we have wine and nibblies, and we "shop" each other's closets. At the end of the swap all the leftovers go to a local charity.

Deviled Eggs Three Ways

Deviled eggs are not safe around my husband. He pops 'em like candy and can easily eat an entire plate of the soft, creamy, flavorful treats by himself. Our good friend Ann is the Queen of Deviled Eggs (we should get her a crown) and has been commissioned to prepare them for all parties and events until the end of the world. Thom loves Ann's deviled eggs so much that she can't even set the tray down on the coffee table before he's eaten at least two. Ann, however, has decided to go be with her family in Pittsburgh for Easter so it is up to me to prepare the deviled eggs for Easter.

I have big shoes to fill... I better make three different versions so Thom can choose his favorite...let's see... why don't we try chipotle bacon, a classic version, and a fresh lemon-chive deviled egg. Yeah... those sound good!

Hearty Winter Potato Salad featuring Idaho Fingerling Potatoes

Everyone has a favorite family recipe for potato salad* but generally we think of it as a summer side dish to be served alongside hamburgers and grilled chicken in the backyard. Here is a warm, hearty winter version made using Idaho® fingerling potatoes combined with kale - a great winter green - and a cannellini bean sauce instead of the usual mayonnaise based binder. And of course, everything is better with a little bacon to garnish the top!