Mushroom Marsala Spaghetti

In my twenties, I survived epic trainwreck relationships. Ignoring my better instincts, I jumped aboard... heading for a crash. Being on a speeding train seemed sorta fun. Woohoo! I cozied up to dangerous situations, pitching my tent among the bomb blasts and heavy artillery. I convinced myself that it was better than being alone. One night, I sat in my car and prayed (begged) for the grace to leave it all behind. I hibernated in my room, licking my wounds until they healed. I took up watercolor painting. I cooked. I found peace in solitude.

Beef Stew with Wine & Root Vegetables

Perfect for cozy Sunday suppers with family and friends, this stew can also be made the day before you’re going to serve it, giving you more time to relax. It’s a classic beef stew that will leave you with a content feeling and a smile on your face. After a long workweek, a good stew is a soul-satisfying meal. Serve it with some fluffy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. Comfort in a bowl. This one has a mellow sweetness from the root vegetables and a fresh finish from the parsley and thyme. The sauce is deeply favored and glossy. The beef is tender. There are plenty of healthy vegetables in it. It’s a keeper in my home.

Wild Rice With Mushrooms and Marsla

Marsala and mushrooms will always be a classic combination. There's a good amount of both in this pilaf to ensure maximum flavor. The smoky flavors of the wine compliment the earthy mushrooms. Herbs are a fresh finish. 

It was just the two of us for Easter this year. After church and a refreshing walk around a blue lake with our eager beagle, we enjoyed herb roasted chicken with this savory pilaf. For dessert, we had buttery, raspberry linzer cookies from this wonderful bakery in Cambridge.