Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

It has to be potatoe salad made with Hellman's - not Miracle Whip. I just made a huge bowl for a Valentine Party we had this weekend. I used Yukon Gold potatioes. It was the best!

I have two that are memorable.

First, lobster with drawn butter, prepared by a restaurant that specializes in sea food. (I've been to several that were spectacular.)

Second, Macaroni Grill's Chicken Marsala. Excellent!

Tortilla soup with lots of chicken.

Serious Eats is a great site to visit for good food ideas. I go to Food Network when I'm looking for a specific recipe.

I make various soups at home made with lean meats and veggies. I take this to work for lunch with a big veggie salad. That way I always have something nutritious to eat.

At home I make lean meats and a variety of veggies and salad ingredients. I don't keep anything with sugar in the house. This is working for me. As long as I have plenty of the "right" foods around, I'm not tempted to eat the wrong things.

Good luck!

Obviously, Paula's recipies are only to be made occasionally. It's her fun-loving personality that's makes her show enjoyable.

Raised in the Napa Valey, but now live in Lake Conroe, Texas

Christine, I have family in Chino, right near you.

I enjoy having our neighbors come over for hor d'oerves and drinks. It's casual and everyone has a good time. We play games, and if it's warm enough we can sit outside by the lake and watch the fireworks, which are usually displayed on every holiday.

My least favorite was when I had to attend stuffy cocktail parties for work.

I've gotten the most compliments from making shrimp and/or spinach dip with some interesting crackers. Neither one is expensive and both are easy to make.

I'm making some spicy turkey chili this afternoon.

Clam chowder that is thick and creamy is the BEST! Nana Joie, I think it probably is illegal to serve Manhatten style in New England, and it's not nearly as tasty.

Pumpkin Pie!!