Out of the Weeds

The culinary journal of a recovering restaurant owner

Filed Under: My Kitchen

Famished Fish, Finicky Shark Love

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RoastedBeetFamishedFishThe Famished Fish, Finicky Shark has created a beautiful and delicious salad featuring my Out of the Weeds Roasted Beet Vinaigrette Artisan Dressing and the combination of flavors is truly divine. Fresh asparagus and arugula, candied bacon and gorgonzola cheese. I know you’re looking for a new recipe to try this week, and another way to use Roasted Beet Vinaigrette, so here it is. Go on over to Saundra Contreras’s page, and find her on Facebook for more creative and pleasurable recipes.

Thank you, Saundra, for the Out of the Weeds love.

Cheers,

Robin

Filed Under: Journal

The Raw ABC’s of Owning a Restaurant

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As Jack and I approach our six-year anniversary as restaurant owners, I decided to share some of the many things we’ve learned along the way.  Not the warm and fuzzy stuff – follow your dreams, if you are passionate you will succeed, if you build it they will come, etc.; but rather the nuts and […]

Filed Under: On the Road

New Orleans for NYE AND A Buckeye Victory

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New Orleans is one of my favorite cities not only in the U.S., but the world. The people, food, music, culture, art, architecture, sounds, and yes, even the things that make it undesirable to some; the smells, fog and humidity. I love it all. Could I live here again? Probably not, but for a brief […]

Filed Under: Journal

New Year’s Eve Memories

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When I think back to the holidays I spent growing up in Fairview, New Year’s Eve actually evokes many, if not most, of my childhood happy holiday memories. I could speculate why that is, but that’s for a much longer, much more revealing testimony. I only have one memory of Mom and Dad going out […]

Filed Under: Journal

My Christmas Gratitude List for 2014

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Thank you, Santa! What I wish for Christmas is already here. Jack, Rooney and Coco are snuggled in bed. Mackenzie just left the house to start her early work day. And I woke to these boots and a solo sock, reminding me that Zach is upstairs and home for Christmas. Feeling blessed is an understatement. […]

Filed Under: My Kitchen

Irish Christmas Cake

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Fruit cake is not for me, although growing up, there was always at least one in our house from mid-December through New Years. My grandmother made them, my mom made them, a few of the neighbors made them. I’m not sure who ate them, but everyone seemed to make them. I have a few holiday […]

Filed Under: My Kitchen

Christmas Eve Menu

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Entertaining year round is a favorite past time of mine, but there’s something special about hosting holidays, especially Christmas. I enjoy hosting a Christmas Eve dinner for family, friends, and anyone who may not have somewhere to spend the evening. It’s become a tradition over the years for us to enjoy an Italian feast, and […]

Filed Under: My Kitchen

Christmas Eve Lasagna Bolognese

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This hearty lasagna will please your meat lovers, and is more delicious warmed up on Christmas Day evening, when no one wants to do any more cooking. I make my Bolognese sauce December 22nd, and the bechamel December 23rd. Here’s what you’ll need for everything.

Filed Under: My Kitchen

Christmas Eve Winter Greens Lasagna

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I like to have a vegetarian offering, and this winter greens recipe has been the most popular of my attempts. Even my family and friends who are not Swiss chard and kale fans often end up choosing this over my hearty beef bolognese lasagna.

Filed Under: My Kitchen

Christmas Eve Chopped Salad

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I absolutely love entertaining during the holidays! We enjoy old family traditions, have created some new traditions, and I have ideas for future traditions when I have grandchildren for the holidays. For the next few weeks I will be sharing some holiday menu plans and entertaining ideas. The first menu I’ll be sharing has become […]