I always say that last minute plans can end up being the best plans. Every now and then an out of town friend is passing through or you run into someone at the store or your neighbor walks down and you end up having the best time. The same can be true of meals. Those nights [...]

This is my special autumn appetizer and an unexpected twist on the classic bruschetta. Using the seasonal butternut squash, a trilogy of fresh herbs, and some light and bright ricotta, this will become a fall favorite of everyone. Dealing with fresh herbs doesn't have to be a tedious process. Laying the sprigs right on vegetables [...]

There was a time when extra overripe bananas meant the pleasure or pressure to bake. Once I made the banana ice scream recipe from the Vitamix cookbook, I realized that bananas were just as useful frozen as any other frozen fruit. This is an easy way to preserve those spare bananas without them sticking together! [...]