Too Hot to Cook!

By Sandy Hu

In San Francisco, summers are usually cool, so rarely is it too hot to cook. But elsewhere, temperatures are rising and no one wants to be chained to a stove.

My favorite no-cook summer meal is a salumi platter – hot copa, prosciutto, mortadella or other cured meats, plus some thinly sliced ham, all arranged on a wooden board or platter with one or two cheeses, some peperonicini or cornichons, roasted red peppers, sliced cucumber and a baguette or two with a good Dijon mustard. While it’s a delicious, no-fuss appetizer for company, a salumi platter can also make a welcome light supper on its own.

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In the Mood for Chowdah

By Lori Powell

I seem to be in a fish mood as of late. And sometimes, what is available to me as “fresh” is not looking all that great… or that fresh.

Not all fish keeps well frozen but some companies do get it right. One is Cozy Harbor of Maine’s frozen lobster meat, It’s the perfect dinnertime solution for making fish cakes, lobster salad or yes, lobster chowdah.

Also, since all of the work is done for you (cooking, shelling and cleaning), you have more time to actually enjoy this delicious concoction.

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Fish Tacos – the Perfect Meal for One

By Lori Powell

Fish Tacos...where have you been all my life! They are so delicious and so fast. Must-haves are good tortillas, great wild-caught fish and herbs. The rest is garnish!

I was developing a fish recipe and had some leftover cooked…yes, leftover fish can sing and this filet did.

Fill a good-quality taco shell with some great leftover or fresh-cooked fish, fresh herbs (fill with whatever you have on hand in the garden or otherwise...improvise, improvise), lovely, perfectly ripe avocados and some fresh lime and dinner is…so glad I stayed home!

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Crab Cakes for a Luxurious Three-Day Weekend

By Lori Powell

Memorial Day...oh, the sheer bliss of having a three-day weekend! Definitely not overrated!

Prior to my new job, I was freelancing for about 2½ years and was not so great about saying NO in this economy to either a job that inspired me or one where I got to work with a great team of people. So holidays, never entered my mind unless I was invited somewhere or family called!

I know it sounds like I led kind of a dismal life or that I am a workaholic…well, possibly a bit of the latter. Funny thing is, when you are fortunate enough to find your passion and love your work, it simply doesn’t feel like work – at least a lot of the time.

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Salad Days

By Lori Powell

Simple days and salad days. The best days….

On the heels of company, it’s nice to make a simple, seasonal salad to set your body right. It helps to remedy the lack of sleep from having entertained your guests and having overindulged yourself, along with your company.

It’s sad that the guests are gone but it’s happy as well to have time just to yourself again…the balance of things in everyday life.

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