This is the story of the circle of love and food.
My name is Mary Frances. I am a designer, creative director, painter, wife, mother and cook. I own an internationally recognized, award-winning brand development and marketing communications firm, and am a graduate of Parsons School of Design. And what I especially love to do is cook and serve great food to make people content and happy. Hearing mmmm’s makes my heart soar.
I grew up in suburban St. Louis, specifically Webster Groves, the youngest of six and the only girl. (Yes, that’s FIVE older brothers!) My mom was a great home cook, and she made sure that I could make a mean pie from scratch. After Parsons, I married, had two boys and moved from NYC to the NJ suburbs where the restaurant food just isn’t up to NYC standards. Frustrated, I threw myself into cooking and entertaining, and now it’s time to share the great recipes, tips, stories and LOVE with you!
The inspiration for this blog came from our youngest son when he wrote this message in a Christmas gift cookbook.
There is something truly gratifying about giving and receiving. And when you cook with LOVE, everything just tastes better!
So what if it was easy for you to make great food that brings people together, to share time, share experiences and share love?
That’s what LOVE – the secret ingredient is all about. Spreading love through food.
Cooking with love requires some confidence in your knowledge of cooking, but you can gain these skills through practice, and without going to culinary school. Cook often. And visit LOVE – the secret ingredient because you will learn all the shortcuts a home cook needs to make delicious food.
(P.S. I moved back to the city in 2007 and couldn’t be happier!)
Bravo Mary, congratulations on these new challenges, I wish you great success.
Thanks Solomon! See you soon!
Mary,
Everything has been so delicious and full of fresh stuff that I’m loving your menus. Now I need some help…I have gotten a load of green tomatoes from my son’s terrace garden and don’t want to make fried green tomatoes. Tried that and it was not a family favorite. Canning is not my thing either. I know I’m making this difficult, but I was sure you would have a creative solution. Thanks.
I loved the brisket recipe.
Susan
Hi Susan,
This link has lots of recipes, but many are the canning type. http://southernfood.about.com/od/tomatoes/a/green_tomatoes.htm
If they are not so green and hard, you can throw them into sautes, like you would regular tomatoes and they should taste lemony. Be brave – try it!
Good luck and let me know how you make out! – Mary
very nice Mary! your passion comes thru..since I don’t eat meat I enjoy seeing your meatless yummy dishes..I am sure the others are equally wonderful for meat eating foodies!!
Thanks Donna! Do try the Bucatini with Eggplant, Fresh Tomatoes, Spinach and Feta recipe. I think you will love it!
Mary,
THis blog looks great! I am not really that great a cook. I have gotten out of the habit because I work late and then seem to have appontments and things to do after work. BUt some of these look like they are very doable and that will be a great help. I have an urge to get back into cooking now and I will be a frequent visitor here. IT will be fun to try new recipes on the weekend.
And I love your commentary! What is your ethnic background?
Lucinda Ames
Lucinda -
So glad you’re here! Sorry for the delay in responding – I was in Boston on business today.
These are mainly doable weeknight dinners, so please give it a try!
I am 100% Polish. – Mary
Another great thing about food is that it brings people together.
Definitely!!!
Thank you for liking my post on nostalgic dining in Hong Kong. You have a lovely Blog and I love it because it circle a lot around food. I’ll be following it.
Wonderful! Thank you.
Wow, looks like you have some really great recipes, Mary Frances. I’m looking forward to your cooking and baking adventures!
Thanks Tamara!! Please tell me what works for you.
What a lovely blog (and blog name), Mary
I love your bio too! I think we have some things in common. All the best 
Thank you. Yes we do have things in common! I am a big meditator as well. I just learned that Deepok recommends you ask yourself 3 questions every morning, each one followed by 2 minutes of breath, listening for the answers. The questions are: Who am I? What do I want? and What’s my focus?
Wow- that’s a great way to start the day! Might have to begin making that a habit!
My sentiments exactly!! Spread the love through food-or in any way possible!! Thank you for dropping by my blog!
I LOVE Southeast Asian Food!
Yep!! That’s why I’m here
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award at this link: http://daisyandthefox.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/the-sunshine-awards/
congratulations! you deserve it!
Ah love and food. What’s not to like about your blog! I shall have to mill through your recipes I do believe. Thank you!
Thank you! Hope you like some of the recipes!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and now following! You have some great recipes, I’ll be stopping back often.
Great – welcome!
Love your philosophy and looking forward to trying your recipes, starting with the Best Ever Turkey Sx
Thank you! Do let me know how my recipes turn out for you.
This is really great Mary! The first paragraph of your ‘about’ page describes my aunt, whom I grew up with. She is illiterate so I’m spreading her love of cooking through The Pearl Kitchen
Love your blog.
You make me cry – I’m visiting your blog now! Thank you.
Thrilled to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Blog of the Year 2012 award. Details within my post: http://feedthepiglet.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/blog-of-the-year-2012-04-and-happy-hogmanay/
Happy New Year!
Thank you!! I’m so very honored and delighted! What a way to start the new year. Happy 2013 to you.
Your recipes sound tantalizing, and I can’t wait to try them. I’m glad your roots are in Missouri. I’m at the top of the Bootheel, but travel to STL often to visit my daughter.
I’m honored to have you viewing my blog. Thanks for the follow!
Kim
Thank you for following my blog “Sweet Spell Bakeshop”! =)
I look forward to seeing how your avocado plant turns out!
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – congratulations!
http://daisyandthefox.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/celebrating-the-new-year-with-blog-awards/
Happy New Year!
Daisy and the Fox
Thanks again!
Thanks for taking the time to visit and follow my blog, it helped me find yours. Look forward to your posts. Certainly true that one can always produce better meals at home, most of the time. Thanks, Tracey
Thanks Tracey! Welcome!!
Hi Mary, thanks a mil for stopping by the Sunshine Scrapbook
Keep the love and good food flowing!
Thank you! Glad we connected!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for the “like”! Looking forward to checking out your blog!
Thank you! Glad you stopped by!
Hi… First I should thank you for stopping by and following my blog…apart from that , I really like your blog and nominated you for The Super Sweet Blogging Award.
As always participation is an optional, please feel free to check
http://jenyjohn.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/a-great-beginning-with-an-award/
Why thank you Jeny! So sweet of you!
I appreciate the nomination very much.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and the “Like” of my post.
: )
Love your blog.. ive nominated you for the sisterhood of world bloggers award
http://chefsisters.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/into-the-sisterhood-of-cooking/
Wow, thank you! I’m honored by your nomination. Have a great day, all of you sisters!
Hi Mary. Thank you for visiting feelingjoy and liking Slow Cooker Basil Chicken.
Your apron…Love the secret ingredient is wonderful…Love is the secret to life as well! Did you happen to read “special ingredients to use in all your meals” (Jan. 11th) on my site? I’m learning how to use wordpress and noticed special ingredients…isn’t listed on the side anymore. Anyway, I’ve learned much over the past few years about energy…love is energy and food is energy! I plan to visit your blog again. Pam
I’ll check out your Jan 11th post now. Welcome!!
Hi and thanks for liking my blog! I’ll certainly be checking out your recipes – this torte looks delicious, I love roasted capsicums
Me too! Please give the recipe a go – and let me know how you like it!
Hi Mary Frances. thanks again for stopping by my blog and now for following it! You are great…
Why thank you! I’m glad we’re connected.
Thank you for stopping by my blog
Hi Mary…I like your blog and I have nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award.. the details are at my post
http://jenyjohn.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/the-wonderful-team-member-readership-award/…….
participation is optional…:).
Thank you Jeny! I really do appreciate the nomination. Have a great day!
Thank you for stopping by my blog!
ciao! ;uvFAB blog.
thebestdressup
Grazie mille! (I use Sisley too!)
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award!
http://opallaontrails.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/my-two-versatile-blogger-awards/
You have an Amazing Inspiring Blog and I have nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award!” If you’d like to participate, here are the rules: http://homecreationseveryday.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/very-inspiring-blog-award/
Thank you so very much!!
I just nominated you for the Liebster Award.
Thank you!!
Oh, what a wonderful title! Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my vegetable chili post.
LOVE your blog!
Thank you!!
Thanks for checking out my blog and my recent PB Chocolate and Banana Quesadillas! I hope you both find some time to make these for yourself as well.
-Christine
Thanks so much for stopping by the Sunshine Scrapbook! I agree, love is the secret ingredient that separates good meals from great ones
Definitely!!
Thank you SO much for coming by and liking my post. I’m absolutely going to follow your blog as well and try out your recipes! The secret ingredient should ALWAYS be love. I hope my someday kid will be as wonderful as yours seem to be!
You’re so sweet – thanks so much!
Hey there!
Congratulations! I’ve just nominated you for the Leibster Award !
It’s a well deserved award.
Enjoy,
Sam
Sam, I’m thrilled!! Thank you so much.
Hello Mary Frances, thank you so much for following ritaLOVEStoWRITE! I hope you find some recipes and bioBLOGS in the backlog and the near future that tickle your fancy. I know I’m going to be exploring your blog in the next couple of days for some inspiration. Cheers, Rita
Thanks Rita!! Will let you know!
Hello hello!
Good news! I’ve nominated you to receive the Best Moment Award!!!
Congratulations and feel free to pass the award on.
Keep up the great blogging!
Cheers,
Sam
Thanks so much Sam!!
that letter made me cry, awww, lovely xx
I know – but it’s a happy cry!
Thanks for the follow !
You bet – beautiful photos!!
Hi! I have nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Cheers!
http://ayummygreenworld.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/kreative-blogger-award/
Thank you Divya!!!
Thanks for visiting and following my blog. Did you check out my other blog Thejacksondiner.com ? it is about food..
Just checked it out – very nice – I really like the olive tapenade recipe. The addition of sun dried tomatoes is very nice!
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking one of my posts. I love your title and reading what you wrote above just made me tear up.
You’re welcome – but cry only happy tears!
I so agree! Love is the most important (and often not acknowledged) ingredient for any recipe! It’s my ‘secret’ recipe too…
Great apron by the way!
You’re so right! Glad you like the apron – easy to order!
Hi, just to let you know that I nominated you for a Sunshine Award as I have been really enjoying your blog. http://barktime.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/sunshine-award/ Best wishes Agata via Bark Time
Thank you so much Agata!!
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
I enjoyed the visit!
Thank you for following my blog. I look forward to reading yours.
What a wonderful intro to you and yours! I couldn’t agree more with Zach about the importance of the most delicious “secret” ingredient! Yippie!!
Thank you!! And welcome!
Thanks for stopping by and liking my blog. Yours is already making me hungry.
So glad!