dinners

Late Summer Farm Girls Dinner

The first ever Farm Girls Dinner took place at Oleana restaurant in late August. It’s a little event that several of us wanted to happen since the Spring. Schedules, appetites and moons finally aligned for new and old friends to meet, drink and indulge in an authentic and extravagant meal made with farm fresh produce,

Friday Night Dinner, Garden at the Cellar

by Maggie Battista

A few weeks ago, the husband requested my presence at a date in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the city in which our romance blossomed seven years ago. We both lived in the North Cambridge/Porter Square vicinity, a neighborhood fairly barren of fine dining establishments at the time, a little sweet pocket of Cambridge that just didn’t have

Fruit Forms Community

by Maggie Battista

Food forms community. A few burgers on a grill can lure family and friends to a backyard. Piles of smoked beef and pork call an entire neighborhood to attention. And a medley of barbecued meats and grilled oysters pulled some friends to our garden a few weeks ago. The menu was plentiful and presented a

My Birthday Dinner

by Maggie Battista

My birthday was last week. I won’t pontificate on how old I am. And I definitely won’t get into how I feel like half my life is gone, and that my real life is finally here and just beginning. We all know that life goes on. We grow old and eventually die. So I strive

Beer-Battered Fish and Onion Rings

by Maggie Battista

I was on a quest to make fried fish and onion rings after reading Tammy’s post last week. I’d never ever done it before, but did some quick research and discovered, “hell, it’s easy!” I picked up some Gloucester haddock at my local fish market, and simply sliced up some thick onions from my local

Beef Short Ribs with Tagliatelle

by Maggie Battista

I’m pretty sure Giada DeLaurentis is a bit of a diva (and I’m speaking from personal experience here), but I have to thank her for this very easy Short Ribs with Tagliatelle. I am no stranger to beef short ribs. In fact, it is pretty much my signature dish, and I’ve applied my technique for

New Year’s Eve Dinner: Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks

by Maggie Battista

Last night, I was a sous chef. I am so not the sous chef type. So NOT the sous chef type. If you knew me, you would know this to be true. I prefer my husband assist me while I do the heavy lifting needed to whip up something fun and delicious. But last night,

Recipe: Orzo with Bacon, Asparagus and Truffle Butter

by Maggie Battista

[I am dedicating this recipe to Federico. An old friend who is "single" and "lazy" - his words, not mine - and who is searching for easy, quick recipes. This one would impress the next lady in his life, or just fill his belly on those cold, lonely nights. In Mexico. Wait. Are there even

Davide’s Farewell Tour

by Maggie Battista

A few nights ago, a very dear friend of mine visited my home, probably for one of the last times in a very long time. Davide is a floral designer from my last life; we worked together very well and became good friends. His Visa is up and he is traveling back to his home,

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