Despidoodle

the digital alias of Despina Panagakos Yeargin

  • A Connecticut Yankee Cooks in the modern South

    A Connecticut Yankee Cooks in the modern South

    Our wonderful son-in-law Dan is a Connecticut Yankee living in the modern South. Transplanted to a warmer climate about ten years ago, he married my stepdaughter Emme, and is now fully adapted to the easier weather of the South Carolina coast. He also cooks and eats his share of grits and collards. Dan even saw…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Seven

    The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Seven

    You did great! You planned ahead, set a lovely table, made the cocktail offering ahead of time, you wiped down the counters and you got it done! Bravo! You’ve finished dinner. Everyone is feeling happy and full. You want to enjoy the rest of the evening without having to worry about dessert. This is how…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Six

    The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Six

    Bellies full yet? As the host, you may be getting a tad tired. Not to worry. Here’s what you do for a finale. Today I have an Apple Pie Clafoutis for you. Subtly spiced, not too sweet and you can put it in the oven right before you sit down to dinner. This recipe will…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Five

    The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Five

    Another easy main dish option is my Herb and Mustard Pork Loin. It’s juicy, inexpensive and excellent for a crowd. I love to serve this with the Rosemary Baked Potatoes as the side. For me, let’s be clear, this roast with the potatoes is perfect. All I need is the Radicchio & Lettuce Salad, and…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Four

    The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Four

    The main event! Or one of the options for a meaty make-ahead entree to serve at your Christmas dinner. This recipe will serve four to six people, and pairs beautifully with rice, your favorite pasta or mashed potatoes. For easy entertaining, I recommend the pasta or rice. They are much easier to keep warm if…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Three

    The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Three

    To accompany your main dish, typically you offer a side dish like a vegetable or salad, and a starch upon which to rest and nestle your thick and juicy pork loin slice or succulent lamb shank. To decide between pasta, rice or potatoes for a dinner, for me, the choice is easy. One of the…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Two

    The Seven Days of Christmas – Day Two

    The greenery perks up the dinner and prepares us for the zesty flavors of the main event. For me, it’s critical that they be interesting, fresh and vibrant. Here are two options, or go for a third option and use them both! One jar of pickled beets and a few simple ingredients This is a…

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  • The Seven Days of Christmas Cooking

    The Seven Days of Christmas Cooking

    I will be sharing recipes to help you build an easy-to-prepare Christmas dinner. Over the next seven days, I’ll share recipes and tips for your twelve days of Christmas preparation, cooking and feasting–a few things that you can prepare days ahead or the morning of your dinner, a few recipes and tips for staying calm and…

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  • Give Thanks & Take Stock

    Give Thanks & Take Stock

    Gratitude. Today I give thanks for all who take time to check in here periodically. I am grateful for your interest and your support. It is very important to me to share my Greek culture through recipes and to provide you with enough everyday cooking options to inspire you to cook more in your own…

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  • A Hint of Summertime

    A Hint of Summertime

    Fresh basil has an aroma that seems to lift the spirits. We love it in pesto, in so many salads, stewed vegetables and in my creamy basil dip. At this time of the year, we are fortunate to find basil in grocery stores. Using it in a dip brings a bit of sunshiny summertime to…

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