About Dinner Plan-it

Welcome to Dinner Plan-it!

In your search for the answer to the age old question, “What’s for dinner?” you’ve landed in the world of Dinner Plan-it!  The sometimes tricky terrain of dinner planning can be quite a dilemma...we hope you'll find some delicious solutions right here for just what to serve your very own family....because it's just what we're making at home ourselves.

Search our pages and recipes for some interesting and yummy ideas…appetizers to desserts, cocktails to nuts, brunch to dinner to midnight snacks...for delicious, scrumptious dishes and drinks and all the recipes to make them yourself.  

Don't feel like cooking? We suck it up, bite the bullet  and check out some great restaurants and drinking establishments (aka...bars) to help you plan your OWN night out. When we find a great dish or drink that we adore, we recreate it and post the recipe!

So. What is Dinner Plan-it? It's exactly what we're having for dinner at home...and sometimes exactly what we enjoyed on an evening or afternoon (sometimes even morning) out.  Dinner?  Plan-it!

So who is behind the scenes here?  
Hi, I'm Linda. I'm an empty-nester who works full time and has years of experience in the trenches of everyday cooking, holiday, party and event planning. I've even done a little catering (art show openings!) back in my Maryland years. 

You may have seen the segment I did on public television's WQED Cooks (my Greek Potatoes on the "P is for Potatoes" episode) or may have seen recipe posts by Crabhappychick on various blogs and websites…yep, that’s me. Oh!  And this summer Wigle Whiskey featured a variation on my Grilled Peach Vodka Basil Sweet Tea cocktail using peach-infused Wigle Wheat whiskey in place of the vodka.  It was a hit in their Tasting Room! 


The latest excitement in my world of food was being invited to judge BOTH nights of Savor Pittsburgh - the Culinary Competition the first night and THE Great Happy Hour Competition the second night.  Renewing my acquaintance with Chris Fennimore from WQED Cooks was quite the highlight and meeting documentary producer, Rick Sebak, was a real bonus! 


Chris Fennimore, me, Rick Sebak
 
The latest amazing night was being one of three judges for Shakin' It Up To STOP Lung Cancer for the LUNGevity Foundation to raise monies for lung cancer research.  I was fortunate to judge the evenings cocktail creations alongside the esteemed Michael Green, 19 year Wine & Spirits Consultant for Gourmet Magazine, and Bill Toland, Wine & Spirits reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This judging thing rocks! 

You'll see occasional posts by my youngest daughter, Kimber books bands for a concert club in Cleveland.  Her job is crazy busy, but she still makes time to cook nutritious meals and bake some fantastic goodies that she shares in the office...her specialty is boozy cupcakes!  Look for her recipes occasionally, too.

Kimber


Come join us in our cooking - and dining - adventures here in Dinner Plan-it.  We're glad you're along for the ride!