Creamy Crab Dip

Nothing goes quicker at a holiday party than crab dip (except maybe spinach dip, but no need to improve upon Knorr’s crowd-pleasing recipe). The type of crab you use can make a big difference.  Sometimes, I mix in a can of regular crabmeat (backfin) and then add a can of lump too.  You can never…

Cheesy Acorn Squash

This isn’t your average squash.  Not like zucchini or yellow squash, winter varieties are likely not as rampant in your garden at the end of summer.  Interestingly, in Tanzania (today’s my last day here – sniff, sniff), squash and pumpkins are everywhere.  They seem to be naturally sweeter, serving them with only a touch of…

Outstanding Osso Buco

Nothing warms the soul like a giant hunk of meat with a hearty sauce.  A shank — be it beef, lamb or veal — does just the trick.    For maximum taste, brown the shanks first and then braise them with lots of liquid to tenderize the meat.  The slow cooker works great for this.  But…

Oven Roasted Okra

In last week’s veggie share, I had a choice between celery and okra.  Most would have gone with the celery.  But I decided to take a chance with the okra.  Then the fun of finding a good preparation method began. If not cooked properly, okra can have a slimy inside or a stringiness that makes…