Salisbury Steaks with French Onion Gravy

Posted on October 9th, 2013 by Leah Damron

This dinner (let me just come out and say it from the start) ….. this dinner is probably not on your diet. Well, it wouldn’t appear on any diet I’ve ever subjected myself to. But if you’re in the market for comfort food and don’t mind throwing a little calorie caution to the wind, you should whip this little number up ASAP. Even with an onion gravy, I would absolutely call it kid friendly. A perfect Sunday supper or a relatively easy weeknight meal, serve it over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles and worry about the treadmill later. : )

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | October 9th, 2013

Classic Swedish Meatballs

Posted on September 18th, 2013 by Leah Damron

A neighbor once told me when I was a little girl that I got my dimples from eating meatballs.  I bought in to this story hook, line and sinker until I was at least 10 years old.  This classic recipe comes from that same neighbor, and yes, it’s a bit of a throwback to the days of Read more

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | September 18th, 2013

Barbecued Cheddar Burgers

Posted on June 25th, 2013 by Leah Damron

No Thank You Boy returned yesterday from two weeks in China. While he was away I heard from him one (that’s ONE, as in a singular instance) time and when I did it was a one (again, ONE) sentence email in which he briefly stated that there were creepy crawlies in his hotel room but that he didn’t care because all of the Chinese girls thought he was Justin Bieber. Frankly, I don’t see the resemblance, but oh well … I had a laugh and so did he. Now he’s home and hungry for American food and (SURPRISE!) his mom’s home cooking. He said he missed milk, cheese (“I just really want some cheeeeeeeeeeeese, Mom”) and chocolate. So last night, I made these cheddar burgers in his honor.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | June 25th, 2013

Ginger-Soy Grilled Steak

Posted on May 15th, 2013 by Leah Damron

Oh my gosh, here’s a post for any and all bargain-hunting carnivores: I’ve got one for you today. A really good one. And even though I almost just burned my house down (no lie) by broiling the steak that’s in the photo above, I am still like, mega excited to tell you about this recipe. However due to the recent pyrotechnics in the oven, my entire house now smells like an Outback Steakhouse, so let’s just get on with this so that I can get on with the small matter of airing out the joint.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | May 15th, 2013

Yorkshire Pudding Canapes with Horseradish Chive Cream and Rare Roast Beef: Best. Appetizer. Ever.

Posted on December 18th, 2012 by Leah Damron

Okay everyone, here it is: by popular demand from the various people I’ve served these to over the past two weeks, here is The Appetizer Recipe of the Year (or, the Holiday Season at the very least). I’ve made these little bites FOUR TIMES in the past two weeks, most recently for a paddle tennis party I attended last night where the ladies pronounced them to absolutely be blogworthy. Manly man and girlie girl friendly, they are simple to make, easy on your wallet, and just really, really good. : )

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | December 18th, 2012

Layered Taco Salad

Posted on August 28th, 2012 by Leah Damron

A conversation that my mom friends and I often seem to have is the one where we’re always shocked and incredulous over how much food teenage boys can shove in their faces. And how we aren’t convinced they actually even taste what they eat half the time. And how we all grocery shop multiple times during any given week yet somehow there’s NEVER ANY FOOD IN THE HOUSE. Combine the voracious hunger from fall sports practice with the midnight munchies that will soon (if they haven’t already) come from studying in to the wee hours, and the cabinet and fridge had better be stocked. No one wants to witness the Tazmanian Devil-child coming up empty after a late night kitchen raid … not me, anyway.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | August 28th, 2012

Sesame Beef and Scallion Skewers

Posted on June 5th, 2012 by Leah Damron

I’m constantly on the lookout for great grilling ideas. Easy ones. I don’t get in to the whole “let’s soak mesquite chips then build a dual cooking hi temp / low temp charcoal fire and smoke a twenty pound brisket for five hours” scene. When it comes to that type of grilling, I fully admit that I’m fighting outside my weight class. You’ve probably noticed by now I’m pretty much all about simple, uncomplicated, family-friendly, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants recipes, and when it comes to grilling, I don’t really make any exceptions. Some would call me stubborn annnnnnnd …. I would have to agree.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | June 5th, 2012

Have it your way: Stuffed Sliders

Posted on May 22nd, 2012 by Leah Damron

Suppose your inner Martha is considering hosting a cookout this coming weekend. You’re feeling pretty good; your patio pots are planted colorfully and the lawn is greening up. The guest list is coming together in your head and it’s growing by the minute because you’re a sweetheart of a gal and it pains you deeply to leave anyone out. The forecast looks amazing. A perfect party playlist is synced up in your head, it just needs to make its way to your portable electronic device. But even though you are channeling Martha, the menu has you stumped.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | May 22nd, 2012

Grilled Sirloin Steaks with Blue Cheese Walnut Butter

Posted on May 8th, 2012 by Leah Damron

A question posed on Sendik’s Facebook page this morning was “My favorite spring-time food is _____.” As I write this there are 12 responses; seven out of 12 respondees filled in their blanks with asparagus. My answer was “anything with grill marks.” If you like to get your grill on, here’s a great recipe for dressed up grilled sirloin, asparagus on the side.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | May 8th, 2012

Filet of Beef Crostini with Artichokes and Arugula

Posted on December 28th, 2011 by Leah Damron

A wise person once said that it’s bad luck to begin any post-holiday clean eating plan before New Year’s Eve. Since I’m never one for self-sabotage, here’s one last hurrah before we start counting calories on January 1st. Or on the 2nd, if you’re into procrastination.

Fair warning: if you serve this to a room full of hungry men, you may receive a marriage proposal or two – it’s that good.

Happy New Year!

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | December 28th, 2011