I’m very excited about Thanksgiving this year. I am actually getting the chance to host Thanksgiving Dinner. Would you believe, I have never in my life cooked a Turkey? Up until this year, we’ve always gone to relatives’ homes for Thanksgiving, so the responsibility for the bird never fell on me. And, I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous. The plan is to brine the bird. I’ve brined chickens before and the results were always terrific. I was glued to the Food Network’s Thanksgiving episode on Saturday when they were discussing brines. They shared a great sounding concoction that I plan to use but if you are thinking about brining check out their website. There are quite a few different recipes.
»» Thanksgiving sides worth a try
Filed under: Pasta, Recipes, Side Dish, sides | buttnernut squash, Deborah Smith, Thanksgiving|1 Comment
I have to admit something to you. I am a potato salad flunky. Yes, it’s true. I’ve only attempted to make potato salad a handful of times for good reason. My version always ends up more like mashed potatoes than anything close to traditional potato salad. Until now.
»» Austrian Potato Salad
Filed under: Recipes, Side Dish, Vegetarian, sides | Deborah Smith, potato, potato salad|4 Comments
Oh what to do with all those ruby beauties being plucked from the earth right here in our own backyard. It wasn’t that long ago that I hated beets. I’m not sure when or how I crossed over to being a fan. Maybe it was the addicting Golden Beet salad with Goat Cheese served at the Shipwreck in Brielle (I guess I was the only one addicted to it because they took it off the menu and I will never forgive them.)
»» Beet Recipes: Flank Steak with Horseradish Beets
Filed under: Barbecue Favorites, Healthy, Jersey Fresh, Meats, Recipes, Side Dish, new jersey, sides | beets, Deborah Smith, Recipes, roasting|5 Comments
A good friend of mine brought this easy coleslaw recipe to our Girls’ Weekend in Lavallette a few weeks ago. I’ve had it twice since then. It is so delicious and the dressing and fixings would be great mixed in with some crispy romaine. Add some chicken for a nice summer dinner.
»» Easy and Unique Coleslaw Recipe
Filed under: Chinese, Side Dish, sides | |No Comments
Last weekend, my best buds and I had a “staycation” in Lavalette. No kids, no hubs, no computers which resulted in me wandering around from room to room in the house wondering what the heck to do with myself. But, once I got acclimated with the offline world (as I clutched my blackberry) I was able to relax and have a really great time with some really hilarious women.
»» Hemingway’s in Seaside Heights
Filed under: Side Dish, Uncategorized | Deborah Smith|No Comments

Here’s a simple salad that is great for the winter when ripe tomatoes are no where to be found. It’s also a great way to stretch a steak. You can use whatever steak is on sale or that you prefer. This time around we used Shell Steaks. Flank steak would be great, even London Broil sliced nice and thin. And of course, you can switch out the beef for chicken if you’re looking to cut the fat.
»» Southwestern Steak Salad
Filed under: Meats, Side Dish | |1 Comment