al fresco

dinner for two
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Dinner Party, Sources, Posted on March 20, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
Last week those of us in California got a brief respite from the atmospheric river that has been relentlessly raining down. I seized the moment, heated up the pool and whipped together a dinner for two to enjoy out on the patio. A first since November. My love affair with my husband’s grill continues. (You might be asking who did I give that
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an ethereal schmear

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Fish and Seafood, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Sauces and Such, Cocktail Party, Breakfast/Brunch, Posted on January 24, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
While I never do it, I love reading the comments other people leave on online recipes. For me, they complete a recipe’s journey. It’s especially useful when numerous readers post a similar point. When they do, I usually take it to heart. This often saves me from wasting a morning or afternoon’s effort. And sometimes following these tweaks and turns
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to die for

food detective
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Dinner for Two, Supper, Posted on April 26, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
I have no idea why it has taken me so long to discover how utterly easy it is to steam clams. They are seriously simple. And incredibly delicious. Just a handful of ingredients, a heavy-lidded pot, a crusty loaf of bread, and a side salad. In a matter of minutes, you too might fall madly and deeply for this effortless entrée. It’s important to not
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ina jiffy

cookng for one... or two
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Grains and Pasta, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on March 15, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
Life is definitely ramping up. Languishing hours and days on end seem to be evaporating. I certainly welcome this change, but it’s making me realize that I need to step up my efficient dinner game. Thank goodness for Ina Garten’s shrimp scampi with linguini! It is a classic for good reason. Once prepped the entire dish cooks in the time it takes
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circle that date

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Salads and Dressings, Fish and Seafood, Sauces and Such, Dinner for Two, Sources, Posted on January 31, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
I can’t believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but my January wasn’t what I’d envisioned. I was really looking forward to a fresh start to the new year. Hitting the town, trying new restaurants, entertaining, dressing up. Instead, everything seemed to once again take an insular turn. I was hoping getting back
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one sheet wonder

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on November 8, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
I’m always on lookout for a standout meal that comes together in minutes. The prep for this one is done in about the time it takes to preheat the oven. You’ll find this crisp cheesy gratin unexpectedly light. Its array of bright ingredients delivers depth and refreshing complexity.  The combination of seafood and cheese might surprise some. But on
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seize the season

food detective
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on June 5, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
When I returned to Chicago, I was delighted to discover that the second-floor markets at Eataly had reopened. What a treat to once again see the cases filled with aged beef, homemade pastas, a world of cheeses and charcutier, the freshest of fish. I felt like a little kid window shopping at Christmas. It was liberating to do something that felt
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a little fishy

food detective
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Dinner for Two, Supper, Lunch, Posted on May 22, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
Over the last few months there have been all of these nostalgic articles about people’s love affair with McDonald’s filet o’ fish sandwich. I don’t know when, if ever, I have gone to McDonald’s and had a filet o’ fish sandwich. Perhaps when I was a little kid. If so, it obviously didn’t make much of an impression.  But all of these food writers
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louie louie

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Fish and Seafood, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Lunch, Posted on April 25, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
We had our second dinner party, and it was an absolute blast. Not really sure if it was truly that fun, or if it just seemed that way because we hadn’t had a new person over in well, over a year. It’s like that new mom who goes out for the first time, crams herself into an outfit she has no business wearing, and thinks she’s the life of the party
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shot in the arm

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Sauces and Such, Dinner for Two, Supper, Dinner Party, Well Equipped, Posted on April 11, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
Getting that second vaccine dose was like a heavy door unlocking. It was almost surreal allowing myself to think of possibilities and the thought of making plans. I was so excited to invite our first guests over for dinner. And erring on the side of caution, and because we are in southern California, I knew we could dine outside. What I didn’t
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