Main Dishes
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Grandpa’s Tomato Salad
This salad tastes like summer. Juicy, sweet, tangy, savory, spicy, creamy, tomatoey summer. My Dad would always make it with garden-fresh tomatoes, and everyone wanted in on that flavor party. In fact, I always thought my Dad invented the recipe, until I later learned that it was my Grandpa Bullough who deserved some of the the credit for passing this food tradition along. Grandpa was known for his love of mayonnaise, and drenching everything in it was his idea of a great no-cook meal. In this case, a little mayo, ranch dressing, and parmesan cheese go a long way in making this a standout salad. It’s great as a lunch,…
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Beef Stew
Beef Stew is one of those wonderful, hearty meals that’s a family go-to year round, but especially during the colder months. It’s one of those easy “fix it and forget it” dishes that are ideal for a slow cooker. I make it regularly, and my mom also made it often when we were growing up. It’s always been one of my favorites. Serve it with sliced bread or rolls, and you’ve hit comfort food heaven. This week, I made stew in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Last year Jeremiah and I took a trip out to Ireland, where I was excited to try out some authentic “Irish Beef Stew.” I…
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Irish Fish Pie
If Irish Fish Pie isn’t already on your month’s menu, please add it now. Fish pie is a common meal in Ireland, and this dish was inspired by one that we enjoyed at Fishy Fishy restaurant in Kinsale while Jeremiah and I were visiting Ireland last year. We both loved it, and after our trip we craved it so much that I just had to try and create a fish pie at home as well. Growing up in a land-bound part of the country, I was never a fan of fish or seafood of any kind as a kid. (Except for maybe fish sticks once in a while.) But that…
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Corn Chowder
Creamy, savory, corn-studded comfort. Chock full of sweet corn, salty bacon, and cheesy, chunky potatoes, this soup is one you’ll be making often. It’s always been one of my favorite soups, and I can’t let a fall or winter go by without making it. This recipe comes from my grandma, Linda Beck Bullough, and it’s a long-standing family favorite. I’ve adapted it slightly, but it’s still her best-loved recipe at the core. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked for life. Prepare for popularity, because everyone around you will be too. Linda Beck Bullough is the queen of quick-and-easy meals, and this soup is a classic example of that. It…
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Grandpa’s Ham and Bean Soup
Grandpa Brent is famous for his soups. His ham and bean soup in particular is the stuff of legend. Due to health challenges, he’s no longer able to cook, but I remember when Jeremiah and I were first married, we all had dinner together and he made this soup. We’ve never stopped talking about it. I’d had it a few times growing up as well, and always loved it, but I don’t think I gave it the respect it deserved at the time. This soup is about simple, quality ingredients coming together in the most comforting, savor-every-mouthful kind of way. My Grandpa, Robert Brent Bullough, is the most genuinely kind,…
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Gnocchi
Ah, gnocchi. Or, Ñocchis, as they are called in Argentina. Unfortunately, I don’t have any Italian ancestors that I’m aware of, but I do have some (indirect) family connections to Argentina, where homemade pasta is common and ñocchis are a popular meal. My grandparents, Brent Bullough and Linda Bullough, served a church mission together in Argentina in 2007-2008. They spent time in bustling Buenos Aires as well as going to the southernmost part of the continent, Rio Gallegos, which probably boasts more penguins than people. My grandfather already spoke some Spanish before they left, but my grandmother struggled with the language and never really mastered it. However, she found other…
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Pizza Crust and Everything Dough
This is one of those recipes that has many possibilities. Homemade pizza, breadsticks, rolls, or bread all turn out great with this recipe. I got this from my Mom back around the time I was leaving for college, and I’ve adapted it a little since then, but at the core, it’s still Mom’s recipe. I always thought of Mom as the “Queen of Breads,” growing up because she made most of our bread from scratch, and was always working on mastering a new recipe or technique. There’s no better way to wake up in the morning than to the smell of fresh baking bread, and that was a treat I…
