Author – The Durango Herald

Phyllo stands in for crust in healthy cherry pie

My all-time favorite dessert is cherry pie. Yes, I rank it higher than any chocolate concoction you can name. I even like the gluey, over-thickened versions served up in diners. B...

DATE: Jun 24, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

Cheesesteak that’s delicious even without the steak

Like Philadelphia itself, there is a lot to love about the city’s signature sandwich – the cheesesteak. But that delicious combination of beef, onions and cheese isn’t the sort of...

DATE: Jun 3, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

This whole-grain salad is packed with protein

Back in my restaurants days, we used to make a delicious summer salad of white rice with peas, shredded carrots and radishes dressed with a dill mayonnaise. It was tasty and filling but, in ...

DATE: May 27, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

Bringing baked Alaska into healthier modern era

When it comes to ice cream, I generally feel it’s hard to improve on a simple scoop right out of the carton. But this time my mind has turned to baked Alaska. I know ... How retro! ...

DATE: May 13, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

A light, simple fruit pudding from America’s culinary past

Snow pudding is a great old American recipe that dates back to pioneer days, back when resourceful home cooks hankering for a treat had to rely on whatever they had – things like gelatin, le...

DATE: Apr 15, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

Like magic, egg whites make a filling omelet

Leaving aside anything made with powdered eggs (which don’t really count as eggs at all in my book), I’ve never met an egg dish I didn’t like. But at the tippy top of my list of favorites is...

DATE: Apr 8, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

A lighter, inside-out take on eggplant Parmesan

I’ve always been a big fan of eggplant Parmesan. There are a bunch of ways to make this classic Italian dish, but I’m partial to what you might call the full-fat version: thick slices of bre...

DATE: Mar 11, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

Smoked fish lends big flavor to a light soup

With St. Patrick’s Day nearly upon us, our minds often turn to corned beef and cabbage. This recipe was inspired by that tradition, but swaps out the corned beef in favor of smoked fish (als...

DATE: Feb 25, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

Party-perfect, light-as-air souffles for the Oscars

What to serve at this year’s Oscar party? I had no clear idea about the right dish until I glanced at a list of the movies in contention. “Gravity” was the one that jumped out at ...

DATE: Feb 11, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

Serve these bundles of love (and caviar) on Valentine’s

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here’s a luxurious little treat to make and serve at home that may bring to mind your most elite restaurant thrills. It’s based on the beggar’s purse, a sig...

DATE: Feb 11, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

A healthy chicken soup with Chinese influences

When it’s cold outside, I love making soup for supper. Everything goes into a single pot, starting with an aromatic broth and a substantial array of vegetables, then a little bit of protein,...

DATE: Jan 7, 2014 | CATEGORY: Food

An easier way to eat more vegetables

It’s the same thing every year. We overindulge during the holidays, then make solemn (and quickly abandoned) promises to eat healthier and shed pounds in the new year. So here’s a...

DATE: Dec 31, 2013 | CATEGORY: Food