Recipes | The Ben Franklin Follies

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Making Basil Pesto

July 30, 2011

Pesto is a delicious, healthy way to use lots of basil at once. About every two weeks I pluck a large quantity of the leaves and new growth and make a batch in my mini food processor. I typically enjoy pesto on sliced baguette—I don't usually bother to toast or grill the bread for crostini but that's even better.

Chef Kevin Kilburn: Cooking Demonstration at Spring Park Farmers Market

July 27, 2011

Last Thursday evening, I decided to play wait-and-see on a big thunderstorm and my patience paid off. I got to enjoy a cooking demonstration by Kevin Kilburn, a professional chef who is now based in Florence, Alabama. Kevin made corn cakes, black bean salsa and grilled chicken tacos and received rave reviews from the few brave souls who ventured out into the heat and humidity to enjoy the Spring Park Farmers Market in Tuscumbia.

Healthy Eggplant Parmesan

July 20, 2011

I visited my parents in late June for the Helen Keller Festival. Mom decided to make Eggplant Parmesan. She used a traditional recipe, with a few modifications—and it was quite tasty. I returned home with an eggplant and decided to create my own version, with an even healthier twist. It's more of a baked eggplant with tomatoes, herbs and Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes

July 16, 2011

I've been in the mood for fried green tomatoes all summer. Finally got around to making them last night for dinner. Here's my take on this southern classic. Serve them up as an appetizer or side dish. Or make them the centerpiece of your meal, like I did last night.

Healthy Salmon Salad by Alison Lewis

July 12, 2011

I love salmon. Wild Alaskan Salmon, that is. Fresh, frozen or canned—I can take it any of those ways. And regularly do. In case you aren’t aware, salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Those are good. If you want a healthy cardiovascular system and a healthy brain, you want to eat lots […]

Garden Pasta Salad featuring Fresh Squash & Peppers

July 8, 2011

One of my favorite ways to use fresh produce like squash (yellow and zucchini), bell peppers, onions and broccoli is to make a pasta salad. The only thing that I need to cook is the pasta, so it’s easy and perfect for a hot summer day. You can serve the pasta salad as a side […]

How to Make a Simple Meat Loaf

July 8, 2011

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with my mom, my aunt and a family friend at a popular Tuscumbia (Ala.) area diner called Mama Jeans. I’d never been there before. Mama Jean’s specializes in meat-and-threes and similar “down-home” cooking. The Thursday special is chicken and dressing. I’m not crazy about chicken and dressing except […]

How to Make a Perfect Tomato Sandwich

July 3, 2011

A homegrown, ripe, juicy tomato, sliced, between two pieces of whole wheat bread is my idea of perfection. I can’t believe that everyone doesn’t love tomato sandwiches. I love tomato sandwiches so much that I took pictures of my first tomato sandwich of the year, back on June 11, and am happy to share my […]

Making Fried Okra

June 23, 2011

I love fried okra. But I’m not a fan of the heavily-breaded, deep fried stuff that’s passed off as “fried okra” at most southern restaurants. I learned to make fried okra from my mom. Every batch she makes is perfection. I’m not there yet, but mine is pretty tasty, if I do say so myself. […]

Making Squash Casserole

June 22, 2011

Inundated with yellow squash? There are many ways to take advantage of the bounty of yellow squash that’s coming in right now. Boiled or steamed, raw in salads, pasta salads, fried alone or with zucchini or okra. One of my favorite dishes is squash casserole. I learned to make squash casserole from my grandmother, who […]