Italian Comfort Food

Italian Comfort Food

I created this menu for one of the May dine-and-dance classes. The cheese and olive dish is one of my favorites, especially with snippets of fresh herbs from my garden.

This menu is a welcome change from the typical lasagna or baked pasta typically found at gatherings for a crowd, but no more difficult to make.

Click Here for a Printable Copy of the Recipes

Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort

We enjoyed this menu as the final dinner for our dine-and-dance class this spring. In addition to the Strawberry Citrus-ade, I served a wonderful, fruity Côtes du Rhône.

This menu works equally well for a family gathering with kids.

Click Here for a Printable Copy of the Menu & Recipes

Heartland-of-America Comfort Food

This was one of the menus I prepared for our dine-and-dance class this spring. I've also prepared this menu for a kid-friendly gathering with great success.

• Light-But-Creamy Macaroni & Cheese with Ham & Peas
• Mixed Greens with Red Grapes, Blue Cheese & Blue Cheese Dressing
• Cream Biscuits with Sweet Creamery Butter & Jam
• Baked Compote of Winter Fruit - Topped with Honeyed Yogurt Sauce & Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies
• Australian Malbec, Iced Tea & Water

Click here for printable menu & recipes

French Comfort Food

• Chicken Cassoulet with Acorn Squash


• Baguettes with Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar


• Field Greens with Apples & Maple-Walnut Dressing


• Puff Pastry Apple Tart


• Beaujolais, Lemonade, Tea & Coffee

Click Here for Printable Menu & Recipes

Healthy Northwest Menu: Great with a Cooking Club

• Artichoke-Crab Dip with Cumin-Dusted Pita Chips


• Field Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette & Sugared Pecans


• Chicken with Roasted Pears and Wild Rice


• Garlicky Green Beans


• Puff Pastry Apple Tart


• Sparkling Water with Lime, Fresh Apple Cider

Click Here for a Printable Set of Recipes

Indian Comfort Food

• Chicken Biryani for Crowd


• Paneer


• Yogurt-Mint Raita


• Yogurt-Cucumber Raita


• Mango Raita


• Peach Mustard Chutney


• Carrot Chutney


• Papadams (store bought)


• Broiled Cardamom-scented Pineapple with Frozen Vanilla Yogurt


• Sweet Hot Chai


• Indian Lager


• Light, Fruity Pinot Noir

Click Here for Full Recipes

Welcome to the site... please join in the conversation

For years, I've been hounded by friends and family to publish my recipes and cooking tips. Instead of the traditional book format, I've decided to share in such a way that we can all participate.

I'll get things started by publishing some of the menus and recipes I developed for a recent series of dining-and-dancing classes. From there, we'll see where our interests, passions and questions take us.

Please join in the discussion and share your favorite recipes, menus, tips or questions.