Saturdays & Celebrations

We took a day trip to Newport on a sparkling early fall Saturday, but were home in time for an evening on the deck and an easy/special menu of grilled chicken, salad, and an intoxicating vanilla-scented peach crisp.

A hurricane blew away my plans for a nice relaxing vacation, but being stuck at home gave me plenty of time to play in the kitchen. The result: this Tex-Mex/American menu of queso dip, barbecued baby back ribs, and blueberry pie.

This height-of-summer menu features zucchini two ways – its ephemeral blossoms as an appetizer and the squash itself in a showstopping dessert. In between, a briny, buttery bowl of clams, mussels and sweet jumbo shrimp.

Usher in summer with this classic picnic menu featuring fried chicken, bourbon baked beans, coleslaw, and of course strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Trout fishing season coincides with the debut of native spinach, asparagus and rhubarb at Connecticut farm stands. This springtime menu showcases all four of these fresh local treats.

With the future feeling uncertain, we’re trying to live in the moment. Planting our spring garden, watching the progression of blooms and buds emerging around our yard, and taking special care with a Saturday night meal are small things we’re doing right now to stay positive. This Saturday we celebrated the season with a veggie-packed Pasta Primavera and a spectacular, sophisticated Caramel Budino for dessert.

We’re doing some island dreaming, stuck at home all winter and wishing we were on a warm, white sand beach. Since we can’t be there, I created a Caribbean vibe at home with this dinner menu that includes all the essentials – fresh fish, mangoes, coconut, and fruity rum cocktails.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day a day late, at home, with a dinner worthy of the best date-night steak house: a smoked salmon starter, filet mignon with broccoli, and a rich, dark, chocolate cherry cake for dessert.

The best part of this rare, warm mid-winter weekend was the walk on the beach; runner-up was Saturday night’s elegant dinner of prosciutto-wrapped, cognac-drenched shrimp and a tart of fresh raspberries cradled in chocolate cookies and cream.

The first Saturday of the Christmas season and we were savoring the season’s first snowfall, and cooking a buttery seafood casserole for a festive dinner for two.