I am a potato fan.  One of the ways I like to make them is to cut them into cubes and toss with oil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  But to get in that extra splash of flavor I squeeze in some Meyer lemon juice.  If you can't find Meyer lemons you can just use regular lemon. Don't overload it though; taste as you go. 

Dress up your table a bit with a bit of nautical bling. I made these beaded napkin rings with a ships wheel charm.  I can also put a seashell charm, turtle or starfish if you prefer.

Most people do not realize how long chicken can take to cook on the grill.  What I usually do is cook it in the oven first, then finish it off on the grill for the char and crispness!

First up:  Cheese.  I am fortunate to live in the North East and able to get most cheeses.  There is one however that can be hard to find and the is the Isle of Mull cheddar.  For fans of that one of the places I know of is Gary's did carry it.  I think it is seasonal though.  There was one other famous NY cheese shop I could have sworn had it but i forgot the name of the shop.  It was across from a famous taven in NY.  Maybe someone out there knows the store name. Anyway this is a great appetizer or I have made roasted cheese on toast.  Just put it under the broiler for a minute or so, watch it bubble and brown a bit. Yum!

Whether its chicken tenders, roasted chicken, or chicken breasts; if you want to add flavor without orange liqueurs or you ran out of orange juice just add some orange marmalade.  

Not a wine drinker but like to cook with it?.  Don't go out and buy a whole bottle; you can get one of the small bottles that have a glass full of wine in them and use that instead.

Ever find yourself with just a jar of pasta sauce and no sausage on hand.  You can get that flavor by simply adding some fennel powder to the sauce/gravy.

new tips 

Be warned!  I was apple picking a few years ago in the fall and saw these beautiful strands of leaves that had turned a bright red.  I just had to bring them home.  I thought they would decorate the dining room table beautifully.  Wrong!  I ended up with poison ivy over my arms and face and it was nasty.  I did not know it could survive in different seasons.  Remember leaves of 3 let it be.  Your better off picking up some maple leaves or doing your research first before you bring anything home.

The Holiday are coming!  One of the wines we serve at Thanksgiving is Holiday wine by Brotherhood.  I heat it in a coffee urn.  There is never any left over.  The aroma is wonderful, give it a try!