“Thursday night is pasta night," I say. "I left you guys a lasagna Bolognese, garlic knots, and roasted broccolini. Ian is going… — Stacey Ballis Caesar salad Copy Share Image
“I've been developing killer updated versions of things like Black Forest cake, now with bittersweet devil's food cake, a dried-cherry conserve, and… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“This year I am doing praline pecans, an old favorite family favorite, easy and addictive. And a festive holiday dark chocolate loaf… — Stacey Ballis Baking Copy Share Image
“We wanted to do French toast for the brunch, but acknowledged that it is a dangerous item for a special event where… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“I love the caraway seeds in the classic rye bread, but I wonder if the rich dough might not also hold up… — Stacey Ballis Bread Copy Share Image
“I'm going to explode," my dad says, rubbing his stomach gleefully. He's just put down a massive sandwich piled with corned beef,… — Stacey Ballis Chopped liver Copy Share Image
“Brian orders us both Grandpa's Turtle Sundaes, a classic with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream and nuts, topped… — Stacey Ballis Flavors Copy Share Image
“So," he explains. "Take the piece of bread, dip it in the olive oil and then in the spice and nut mix,… — Stacey Ballis Appetizer Copy Share Image
“He opens a lower cabinet to reveal that it is a mini fridge, and brings over two plates that each have a… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“The feast is family-style, of course. Every six-person section of the table has its own set of identical dishes: garlicky roasted chicken… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“I invested in a fifteen-dollar handheld mandoline, knowing that my knife skills would never be good enough to get the potatoes thin… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“A chilled pea soup of insane simplicity, garnished with creme fraiche and celery leaves. Roasted beet salad with poached pears and goat… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“I sliced the chicken with my fingers and put it into a small skillet to warm, separate a couple of eggs, and… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“I think back to the parties Aimee and I planned, and how all those tuxedos and ball gowns weren't really that much… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Life is also about balance, just the way recipes are about balance. When your recipe isn't balanced, it doesn't taste right. Too… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“You have to come for dinner soon. Alana seems to have perfected this insane braised chicken with chorizo and chickpeas that is… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“That's too bad, Anneliese, the house is really spectacular. Anneke is a true talent." "It will be a new standard-bearer for the… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“I look over the recipe again. It sounds very simple. You boil some rice in water like pasta, I can do that.… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Your body will always tell you what you need. If you crave sweet things, your energy is flagging. If it's meat you… — Stacey Ballis Advice Copy Share Image
“I wander back out, and find Patrick doing the unthinkable. He is cooking. There are two placemats on the island, napkins and… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“I begin to describe a three-tier cake. The bottom tier would be a deep, dark devil's food cake filled with thick chocolate… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Lois and Eloise and Benji have been cooking from the book all week in preparation, making everything from homemade marshmallows and chewy… — Stacey Ballis Baked goods Copy Share Image
“Time to cut the cake, newlyweds." Caroline ushers us over to the sweet little two-tier cake, round and covered in white fondant… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Yep," I say, cutting a large slice of the Dutch Baby pancake and sliding it onto her plate along with two pieces… — Stacey Ballis Bacon Copy Share Image
“I pick up my teaspoon and take a small bite, and am transported. The cake is nutty and moist, the cream with… — Stacey Ballis Apricot Copy Share Image
“I want coffee to taste of coffee. Maybe a little cream and sugar. I do not want coffee that tastes of potpourri… — Stacey Ballis Coffee Copy Share Image
“Look, Jenna, it isn't like Wayne is perfect. Our crew is a bunch of overgrown misfit children. Wayne had it the worst… — Stacey Ballis Children Copy Share Image
“Whether you're a bride or a birthday boy, your options are much the same. Cake comes in chocolate, yellow, or white. Frosting… — Stacey Ballis Bakery Copy Share Image
“Relax, princess. If your prince arrives, I'll vacate. Just keeping you company. Besides, he should know better than to leave a beautiful… — Stacey Ballis Apricot Copy Share Image
“Can I offer you a slice of this amazing caramelized white chocolate apricot brioche made by my favorite granddaughter?" "You may indeed."… — Stacey Ballis Apricot Copy Share Image
“I grab the nonstick skillet, put it on the stove, and fetch four slices of bread from the breadbox. I've been playing… — Stacey Ballis Bread Copy Share Image
“Milk and cookies, anyone?" Elliot reappears from the kitchen with a large platter of chocolate chip cookies, and a little wire holder… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Last night I read about a dish Gemma made for the staff for breakfast, which sounded really good despite its horrible name.… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Bubbles enters with a plate overflowing with rugelach. The three of us fall silent as we indulge in the small snail-shaped pastries… — Stacey Ballis Apricot Copy Share Image
“Laid out on the rustic farm table that sits to the side of Maria's enormous kitchen island is a lovely spread of… — Stacey Ballis Comfort food Copy Share Image
“These. Are. AMAZING," Caroline says around a mouthful of apple cider zeppole. We're at the Logan Square Farmers Market, and have eaten… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Iceberg wedges with a homemade Thousand Island dressing and bacon bits. Prime rib, slow roasted in a very forgiving technique I developed… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
“Stirring the pastry cream and putting it in the blast chiller in the island, a total chefly indulgence that I have never… — Stacey Ballis Baking Copy Share Image
“My daughters-in-law, you know..." she shrugs her rounded shoulders resignedly. "They are such sweet girls, good mothers, kind to me..." "And such… — Stacey Ballis Best friends Copy Share Image
“I hacked an old Crock-Pot and turned it into a sous vide machine, and did a turkey breast, and then seared the… — Stacey Ballis Copy Share Image
