Tortellini with Hummus and Arugula: Monday, December 8, 2025
Middle-Eastern and Italian cuisines marry up in a most interesting pairing tonight. You’ll be serving cheese tortellini in an Italian White Sauce flavored with feta cheese. A scoop of Traditional Middle-Eastern hummus adds a happy finish to the flavors.
The dinner is finished with a savory arugula, tomato and toasted almond salad.
Old-fashioned Split Pea Soup: Sunday, December 7, 2025
We’re in the throws of winter and soup always makes us feel cozy. I think you’ll enjoy this version of old-fashioned split pea soup. I took the recipe my mother taught me and gave it a couple of tweaks.
The history of split pea soup dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It’s now found throughout the world in various forms. Years ago you would often find pea soup featured as a restaurant special late in the week. That’s because the ham was used up and it was time to boil the bone for soup stock.
Aglio e Olio Pasta with Kale and Shrimp: Friday, December 5, 2025
Tonight we’ll incorporate dark leafy greens into a bowl of aglio e olio pasta. (That’s pronounced “ah-lyo ay oh-lee-oh. The g is silent.) The Aglio e Olio Sauce is tweaked with a little infusion of truffle oil. Browned mushrooms, smoky tempeh and freshly cooked shrimp add umami to this flavor festival worthy of any upscale bistro.
Leftovers, Thanksgiving Dressing, Wednesday November 26, 2025
Tonight make a dinner of leftovers and clean out your fridge. You’ll need refrigerator space as you prepare Thanksgiving dinner, and also to store leftovers after the feast.
Whether you’re cooking all or a portion of the dinner tomorrow, I’ve laid out the progression of the dinner preparations for the next two days.
Start tonight by making the dressing. If you’re going plant-based you won’t be stuffing a bird. The dressing gets cooked in a separate pan or casserole dish. Cook it tonight and simply reheat it tomorrow. It may require a couple of 9X13 pans.
Dark Greens with Dried Apricots and Toasted Hazelnuts: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Lacinato Kale is in the works tonight and it’s cooked in a tangy sauce with dried apricots. The greens are topped with sliced Chickenless tenders and the special umami of toasted hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts are also known as Filberts. (You remember Aunt Hazel and Uncle Filbert? There was no question they were both nuts, but they had great taste!)
Fried Apple and Gorgonzola Pizza and Salad: Friday, November 21, 2025
Hey, it’s Friday night! And what is a favorite Friday night fare? Pizza!! White, Fried Apple, Gorgonzola Pizza to be precise. After tasting this pizza, your memory bank will be saving this pizza recipe for future dates. Many happy returns.
You’ll have leftover white sauce for later in the week.