Lemon Cucumber Salad

Andrea Meyers - Cucumber Lemon Salad

My boys don’t agree on many things, including food. Two like tomatoes, one doesn’t. Two like corn, one doesn’t. Two like carrots, one doesn’t. Two like melted cheese, one doesn’t. (I don’t get that one at all.) But one thing they all agree on is cucumbers. They’ll eat them sliced with lunch or dinner, plain [...]

Beef Fajitas with Lime Beer Marinade

Andrea Meyers - Beef Fajitas with Lime Beer Marinade

So far our garden is doing very well. The tomato plants are hanging heavy with fruit, the basil plants are bushy, and some of the peppers have started turning yellow, purple, and red. With all the vegetables coming in from the garden now, we are busy harvesting each day, and cooking and putting up what [...]

Fruity Sparkling Summer Sangria

Andrea Meyers - Fruity Sparkling Summer Sangria

My two favorite things for summer parties are pitchers of sangria and margaritas. They are hard to beat for a cold, refreshing drink to share with friends. This sangria is perfect for summer parties and adds a pitcher of deliciousness to your Fourth of July cookout, and it’s easy to make. Just put all the [...]

Southwestern Falafel Sandwich with Guacamole

Andrea Meyers - Southwestern Falafel Sandwich with Guacamole

I remember my first falafel in Saudi Arabia, thinking how it was like a hush puppy, only different. Perhaps a silly response, but it’s true. The texture and flavor are different, but the general idea is the same. Instead of fried balls of soaked cornmeal, it’s fried balls of soaked fava bean or chickpea meal. [...]

Maple Mustard Grilled Pork Chops

Andrea Meyers - Maple Mustard Grilled Pork Chops

When you think of local food in Northern Virginia, maple syrup isn’t the first thing to come to mind. Wine, beef, pork, a myriad of vegetables, and apples all fit in with the general notion of the things you’ll find here. If you are surprised to learn that there is a maple syrup producer in [...]

Mushroom Chard Frittata (The Kids Cook Monday)

Andrea Meyers - Mushroom Chard Frittata

When spring comes around our family looks forward to eating out of garden, and this easy frittata is a great garden recipe. We use the fresh chard, green onions, and garlic chives we pick right before cooking, and add purchased mushrooms. Frittatas are an easy meal for the kids to help with because they cook [...]

Steamed Asparagus with Red Onions, Almonds, and Raisins

Andrea Meyers - Steamed Asparagus with Red Onions, Almonds, and Raisins

Last spring we planted an asparagus bed, and it has really taken off. At first we only saw small tips peeping up from the soil, then they shot up to tall spears almost overnight. Now the wispy fern sways in the breeze on long thin stems and will stay around for the summer. Asparagus needs [...]

Steamed Baby Carrots with Ginger-Garlic Butter

Andrea Meyers - Steamed Baby Carrots with Ginger-Garlic Butter

There’s something about whole baby carrots steamed with the tops on, fork tender and sweet. I adore that delicate flavor and crunch and think they really add beauty to a plate. They are like the little black dress of carrots. And many times they are insanely easy to prepare, like this recipe from Cooking Light.