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Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy is as interesting as it is tasty.  This simple-to-make meal that makes you look like a serious chef had its beginnings back in the Civil War.  It turns out that soldiers in the war were suffering from extreme malnutrition primarily because they weren’t getting the proteins they needed in their meals.  Dr. James Henry Salisbury, an early dietician who studied gastrointestinal health, came up with a simple way to serve an affordable “meat biscuit” to soldiers on the front lines.  Later on, the dish was improved with the addition of delicious mushroom gravy. While Salisbury...
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Yooper Pasties (Upper Michigan Meat Pies)

Upper Michigan is home to a large population of European immigrants–many of which came to work in the abundant mining operations throughout the state.  The yooper pasties were a lunch favorite of miners from Cornwall, England.  Employees packed their pockets with these hot meat and potato pies wrapped in foil to keep warm in the mornings and then serve as a heated lunch mid-day.  The popular lunch item spread quickly to mining families throughout the region. Although most mines are now closed, it remains a favorite grab-and-go meal in Upper Michigan today. This recipe combines the ingredients of a traditional...
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Croque Madames

Use Your Holiday Ham Leftovers By Serving Croque Madames Do you have more than a little leftover ham in your fridge, and you need a new way to prepare it?  Would you like to serve a breakfast or brunch sandwich for your family that makes you look like a master chef?  Croque Madames are a delicious solution to both of these desires! “Croque Madame” is a continuation of a French favorite, the Croque Monsieur” or “mister crunch.”  A Croque Monsieur is a ham, béchamel, parmesan, and gruyere sandwich, topped with more parmesan and gruyere cheese and baked until everything is...
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Holiday Hours

Just a reminder of this week and next week's holiday hour to help you plan ahead. This week we are open Monday - Thursday 9 am to 6 pm and on Friday, Christmas Eve we will be open at 9 am and will close at 12 noon. We look forward to seeing all of you who will be picking up your holiday meals this week. We will be closed Christmas Day - Sunday, January 2nd for some flooring and store upgrades and look forward to re-opening on Monday, January 3rd at 9 am. So plan accordingly and stock up on...
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Feast of the Seven Fishes and Shrimp Scampi

The Feast of the Seven Fishes may sound intimidating, but there’s plenty of flexibility and freedom to allow anyone to participate in this traditional Christmas Eve dinner.  The Feast has its origins in southern Italy as a dinner known as “La Vigilia” (“The Vigil”) and represents the waiting of the birth of Christ.  The meal consists of seven fishes since the number seven has the most significant of all numbers throughout the Bible. A true Feast of Seven Fishes will contain selections that have significant meaning for the host, although every host may select different options.  Some of the most...
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White Bean Chicken Chili

Easy Cooking for Kids (or YOU!) - White Bean Chicken Chili (Instant Pot Recipe) It’s time for winter break from school, and I’m always on the hunt for ways to keep my child busy at home.  Cooking dinner isn’t just helpful–it gives kids a sense of accomplishment and helps them learn valuable skills about healthy meal preparation.  White Bean Chicken Chili is a simple recipe that requires almost no assistance from an adult.  On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal you can prepare in 10 minutes or less, give this recipe a try! One...
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Fish Tacos

Ready for Something Light Between Holidays?  How about Fish Tacos? I know once our family is done with the Thanksgiving leftovers, we all crave something lighter and fresher for dinner before we dive into Christmas meals and all the cookies that go with it!  One of our popular dinner dishes during this time is fish tacos.  Besides, it’s a great way to take advantage of having access to fresh, delicious fish! What kind of fish works well for fish tacos? You can get creative with your ingredients in fish tacos.  Because we’re so close to the Pacific Ocean,  the most...
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Holiday Pre-Orders

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Homemade Bolognese Sauce

A Bolognese Sauce That Clings to Your Pasta Don’t get me wrong.  I look forward to a traditional turkey at Thanksgiving and all the leftover meals that come after it.  But once I’m done with leftovers, I want something completely different.  For me, that usually means a warm and hearty pasta dish.  This bolognese sauce is a simple, hearty pasta dish that is delicious and requires little time for preparation. sauce How do you make a sauce that clings to your pasta? The secret behind a pasta sauce that sticks to the noodles is grounded in science.  It requires a...
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Split Pea and Leek Soup

One of my favorite go-to meals in the winter is soup or stew made in the Instant Pot.  They are easy to make and create a delicious aroma that warms the atmosphere throughout my home.  One of my favorites is Split Pea and Leek soup since it also serves as an excellent way to use leftovers from other dinners like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The secret to this recipe is the leek.  It adds onion flavor to your soup and also thickens it.  If you’ve never cooked a leek before, here’s what you need to know.  You can find them in...
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