Aisle Twelve

Every year I seem to fall in love with a new herb.  I grow it, I use it as much as I can, and I wonder how I've never used it before.  Although there has been torrential downpours just about everyday, I already know that I am going to be growing dill in my garden this spring.  I'm in love with it ever since I made this potato salad.  I want to put dill in everything.  I love it's tangy savory-ness.  It's a perfect herb - a perfect compliment to any dish.  Dill, where have you been all my life?  It's been way too long.  Try this simplistic, French inspired potato salad and you too will fall dill-eriously in love with dill. Dill Potato Salad (Makes 4 side servings) 1 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes juice from 1/2 lemon 2 sprigs dill, chopped about 1/2 tsp garlic powder salt and pepper about 1 generous tbs mayo about 1 generous tsp Dijon mustard Boil potatoes in pot and drain.  Cut potatoes into large cubes and trans...

This was the first year that Joe and I didn't go out to eat for Valentine's Day.  I wanted to be able to put my baby to bed and wish him sweet dreams on his first Valentine's.  So I decided to bring the restaurant to us.  And guess what I discovered?  There are many advantages to fine dining at home.  Advantage #1:  Cheaper.  I know that Joe's favorite dinner is surf and turf.  I went all out and got two 4 oz beef tenderloins to make fillet mignon and two small Maine lobster tails (they were expensive ingredients, but buying the smaller portions made it a little more reasonable.)  I made the garlic butter sauce to dip the lobster in, made some herb butter for the fillet and even made  profiteroles  and espresso for dessert. The whole thing was cheaper than what it would have been going out.  Not to mention I could have had the whole bottle of the wine for less than one glass...

It's almost that crazy Hallmark time of year, Valentine's Day.  Despite your relationship status, isn't it time to treat someone you love (be it your sweetie or yourself) to a decadent dinner?  I decided to make a nice steak dinner for my sweetie this week, since it marked five years that we met in the shampoo aisle.  Steak is delicious by itself but everyone knows when going to a steakhouse, the real treat of a steak dinner is the sides.  But what could I make besides a boring baked potato or side of rice?  I instantly had a craving for a creamy, cheesy potato dish.  I scoured the Internet and found a simple and decadent recipe for scalloped potatoes gratin.  Thank you Tyler Florence for such a simple, easy and beyond delicious side to compliment this steak dinner.   It's not exactly a dieter's dish, but when you're having a steak dinner, it's time to splurge.  Save up the calories because thi...