
Connie’s Vegetable Beef Soup
It’s humble, hearty, and comforting in that way only old-fashioned recipes can be.


By the Book: Zingerman’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake
No trip to Ann Arbor Michigan is complete without a stop at Zingermans.

Black Bean Chili with Sausage
When it comes to football food it’s not who wins or loses, but how good the chili is

Baked Apple Pancake
Whether you call this a Dutch Baby or a German Pancake, I hope you'll say "Dat is goed" or "Das ist gut".

Italian Wedding Soup
I made this soup on the first episode of Amy’s Table on CET. The crew loved it as much as my family does.

Affogato al Caffè
Some desserts are fussy. The affogato is not. Born in Italy, its name literally means “drowned” - and that’s exactly what happens when a shot of hot espresso is poured over a scoop of creamy gelato.

Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas
Keep cooked chicken in the freezer. Buy large packages of chicken breasts and grill or bake them and then shred, chop and slice it before dividing into meal-size packages. Freeze for a real time saver for future meals. You can replace the chicken in the Enchiladas with sliced steak, ground beef or shredded pork. If you’re in a hurry, use purchased enchilada sauce.

Salmon in Phyllo with Lemon and Herbs
This is a really nice way to serve fish. Adding flavorings between the layers of dough elevates it to a whole new level. This is great with a simple salad and steamed asparagus. In season, serve Peaches in Wine for dessert.

Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Pizza with Capers and Dill
Make sure to let the goat cheese and cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing and spreading on the pastry.

Mediterranean Flatbread with Garlic Herb Cheese
Think of this recipe as just a suggestion. Use your favorite flatbread, spread it with garlic herb cheese and pile it up with what you like to eat. This combo is one I love.

Spicy Breakfast Burritos
What an honor it was to have my Breakfast Burritos selected as one of “best bites of 2007” by the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Polly Campbell! I have to say, I still love them in 2025!

Rosemary Roast Beef Crostini
This recipe from Amy’s Table: Food for Family and Friends was always a favorite of my cooking school students.

Lemon Panna Cotta with Berry Sauce
My variation on Sophia Loren’s Panna Cotta recipe, given to me by Bill Boggs. Bill was an original Food Network host with his show Bill Bogg’s Corner Table.

Seared Peppered Tuna with Pickled Cucumber
Chef Paul Teal taught me this recipe. I love that it’s equal parts elegance and simplicity- the best formula for any hors d’oeuvres.

Fresh Fruit Tart with Gingersnap Crust
Select a variety of fresh fruits and berries or use all one kind for a different look. Well-drained Mandarin oranges work better than fresh. Most any cookie works for this crust recipe- try graham crackers, sugar cookies, vanilla wafers or Oreos with your favorite tart filling.

Southern Shrimp Salad
Heating the flavorful mixture in the cooking water for 5 minutes or more makes it, and therefore the shrimp, really flavorful. Use the same technique for shrimp cocktail. To get shrimp cocktail well-chilled for serving, place a Ziploc bag of ice in a shallow dish. Lay the shrimp on top of the ice-filled bag; cover and chill until ready to serve.

Antipasti Skewers
I’ve lost interest in charcuterie boards - but not for what’s on them. You can use about any favorite ingredient on these skewers. They’re always a crowd pleaser!

Chicken Piccata
I love to serve this on a bed of arugula. Sometimes I replace the chicken with pork cutlets. YUM!

Vanilla Extract
Vanilla will start to deepen in color over time. It’s ready to use after 6-8 weeks. The longer it sits, the more intense the flavor.