I was chatting with a friend the other day, saying how September seemed nine-weeks long, and October crept by; and suddenly it’s Thanksgiving, which means Christmas/Hannukah holidays are just a skip away! I think I’m utter disbelief,...
I don’t know about you, but I the idea of a snacking cake is fabulous! The idea of having the just right slice of cake at the ready for you is incredibly tantalizing. Any cake will do, but why not make sure it’s a favorite...
MERINGUE NESTS WITH MIXED BERRIES When choosing from a dessert menu, I always choose something simple. It might be an apple tart, a lemon bar, or a plate of homemade cookies. Simple is best. That’s why I love these sweet, crunchy...
CINCO DE MAYO MARGARITA CURD love a good margarita. It can be frozen slushy-style or on the rocks with salt or without; it can be a tangy lime flavor, bright pink strawberry or mouth puckering passion fruit. As Cinco de Mayo approaches,...
NO MORE PIE CRUST ANXIETY I met the curator of all things pie. Her name is Ellen. She forever changed my pie dough anxiety. I’ve tend to over think many things and making pie dough is no exception. With Ellen’s help,...
CHOCOLATE CHIP, CRANBERRY & ORANGE QUICK BREAD A quick bread is a delicious treat that’s either sweet or savory; it can be eaten as a dessert or sliced for breakfast. You probably already have the basics for the batter in...
BROWN BUTTER SHORTBREAD WITH PEACHES AND NECTARINES Every summer, I renew my love affair with fresh stone fruit. Taking a cue from Deb Perlman’s (aka Smitten Kitchen) Peach Shortbread, I made her brown butter shortbread and...
These two scone recipes focus on my favorite ripe, summer berries -- Strawberries and Blackberries. The recipe is based on a recipe I saw online from The Bug Sur Bakery. Cook Time 15 minutes Ingredients 1 cup...
OMG TRIPLE THREAT GRANOLA: SWEET, SPICY & SAVORY! From this moment on, I implore you — don’t buy granola… MAKE YOUR OWN! Nothing could be simpler. The oats are a springboard for your flavor creativity. If you like...
CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY COOKIE SANDWICHES What does sweet, creamy butter, ripe red strawberries and deep cocoa powder have in common? They’re the perfect flavors for my Chocolate Shortbread Cookie Sandwich filled with Strawberry...
LAVENDER AND HONEY MADELEINES, THE EASY-TO- BAKE COOKIE If you’ve never baked, this is easy, fast recipe is one to begin with! Sure you can start off baking chocolate chip cookies, but why not take it to another level? I was going...
EASY CROISSANT DOUGH I get it. You see the words “easy croissant dough,” and think what? I promise, this is easy. It’s fun. And, it will make you happy to tackle something you think you can’t do. ...
SIMPLE JAM There are so many amazing jams on the market shelves, but making your own is simple and economical, especially if you have extra fresh fruit or berries that may just be turning. Bonus, you can also use some of that bagged...
SMALL BATCH VANILLA CUPCAKES The mighty cupcake! The perfect sized treat features soft, tender buttery crumbs of a rich vanilla cake and the creamy, sweetness of flavored icing. Nothing is better, especially if the...
SWEET N’ SALTY FUDGE BROWNIES Brownies, the perfect square of rich, fudge-like cake under a crackly crust topped flecks of salt and toffee pieces. You can’t resist as you bite into one and a rich chocolate taste with a...
BANANA BREAD CUPCAKES WITH BROWN SUGAR ICING I learned to make banana bread from a woman named Winnifred when I was 5 or 6 years old. It’s a cherished baking memory. Banana Bread is one of those recipes many of us learn early...
BUCKWHEAT COOKIES I love cookies! I swoon over shortbread. I crumble with delight with a sandy sugar cookie. But thanks to the cookie doyenne herself, Dorie Greenspan, I have discovered the incredible gluten-free, nutty, earthy...
LACE COOKIES Surprise! Something that looks difficult is sometimes the easiest thing to bake; thats these Lace Cookies. With it’s brown sugar – caramel taste, and their lacey appearance, these cookies can be served plain,...
RYE FLOUR BROWN SUGAR BISCUITS I’ve never met a person who doesn’t love a biscuit. And, I’m hoping these will not be the exception. Yes, they’re the ideal shape and height. Yes, when split open, they’re...
A Lemon-Thyme Olive Oil Cake is something I imagine nibbling while sitting on the Italian coast during the summer; but I’m not in Italy and so I sit in my backyard with a slice daydreaming away! This cake is perfect in the summer, yet...
Buttery, Flakey Shortbread with Lavender and Lemon Zest Buttery, flakey shortbread is absolutely delicious. This is a treat where you don’t mind tiny crumbs finding their way down your front. While delicious plain, shortbread is also an...
RED, RED WINE BROWNIES The craving I had the other night for rich, chocolaty, fudgy brownies too strong to resist. I was ready to pour the deep dark mixture into the pan, when my glass of wine caught my eye. Could I add wine to...
GO TO ENERGY BARS WITH NUTS, SEEDS AND DRIED FRUIT Life is crazy. Right now, I’m hanging on for dear life, white-knuckles and all. My boyfriend became suddenly and critically ill. I’m his caretaker. When...
BRONTË SISTERS STRAWBERRY CUCUMBER BREAD Strawberry Cucumber Bread. Are you thinking the combination sounds a bit odd? I thought so initially, but it’s a refreshing, slightly sweet combo. I came across this...
LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE Macaroni & Cheese. I hear the words and I begin to feel warm and cozy. I can see the cheese pulling away from the bowl as my fork stabs the pasta with the goal of making it’s way to my...
Tahini-Miso Carrot Salad There are those who will make New Year resolutions with the hope and promise of change. I’m not that person. But, if you call making great food that’s simple, that’s focused on great flavor and...
CABERNET BUTTER WITH ROSEMARY I love flavored butters and all their sweet and savory versatility. Strawberry butter on scones, chive butter on a baked potato; a flavored butter is like a nice wine, it’s an enhancement to just...
FLAKEY, CHEDDAR CHEESE CRACKERS WITH FRESH THYME The first beach picnic of the season and the pre-requisite is food that’s easy to transport, and packs great taste. The perfect accompaniment to the Rosé...
TAKE OUT WORTHY CHICKEN DUMPLINGS Every once in a while I get an unstoppable craving for dumplings. Steamed or pan-fried, veggie, shrimp, pork or chicken, it doesn’t matter, because inside that white cardboard container with...
PICKLED CHERRIES, THE NEW SUMMERTIME ESSENTIAL Dark red cherries, the royal gem of stone fruit, are an All-American summertime essential. You may think of cherry pie when you see these stemmed sweethearts, but have you thought about...
WATERMELON PIZZA WITH FETA CHEESE I love watermelon! The juicy, triangular wedges are, to me, synonomous with happy memories of carefree, breezy days at summer camp complete with color war and cookouts. Watermelon today...
THYME & MAPLE ROASTED CARROTS WITH CRUMBLED FETA CHEESE I’m gliding into the holiday season with a crazy pace and a bit of anxiety. There seems to be so much to do — holiday cards, lots of cookie backing, meeting up with, and meting...
HOMEMADE RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH BLISTERED CHERRY TOMATOES I’m a fan of the little pillow-like pasta puffs that is gnocchi. I love it even more when it’s surrounded by fresh cherry tomatoes blistered in hot olive oil and garlic, and topped...
CARROT-GINGER SOUP A pot of soup on the stove is the ideal heat to your body’s furnace, especially on the cold, snowy days as New England continues to experience. My friend Diana Prince has the antidote, her Carrot-Ginger...
GRILLED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS WITH ARUGULA PESTO Cauliflower is my version of “the other white meat.” The taste and texture of thick slices of the cruciferous vegetable will surprise you with its marvelous sizzling serenade coming...
SEARED SEA SCALLOPS WITH A SUMMER TOMATO-PEACH SALAD Meandering the booths at the Fairfield farmer’s market, my mind becomes a jigsaw puzzle slowly piecing together dinner ideas. The summer treasure hunt lead me to the fish monger who had the...
DRUNK ROAST CHICKEN Succulent, crispy skin – two ways to describe my favorite meal — Roast Chicken. Seeing a roast chicken emerge from the oven makes my mouth water. Without a doubt, I can eat roast chicken anytime. Using...
CHINESE STYLE TAKE-OUT SCALLION PANCAKE Chinese take-out is a classic weekend favorite and for me it’s all about delicious appetizers. One of my favorites has always been the crispy, flakey scallion pancakes with either a...
FARRO “FRIED RICE” Wholesome, flavorful, adaptable… simply delicious is the ancient grain known as farro. I use farro almost everywhere I use rice and sometimes even pasta. I like to make large batches and...
PUMPKIN RED LENTIL SOUP…RICH, CREAMY AND DECEPTIVELY HEALTHY! I love pumpkin but I’m not a fan of those “pumpkin-spiced” drinks. I’d rather have my pumpkin roasted and served with a touch of maple syrup or in...
ROASTED VEGETABLES It’s been a while since I’ve been here; and those who are fans, I’m back and ready to bake, cook, and post. In 2021, we all went into year two of a pandemic and I found myself receiving a kidney transplant....
MAGIC EVERYTHING SAUCE It is almost St. Patrick’s Day and do you believe in magic? Well, I may be overreaching by calling this a “magic everything sauce;” however, make this once, and you’ll be making time and time again....
Facebook Twitter Pinterest When I was in high school, like many girls, I proclaimed myself a vegetarian. While I ate many a black bean burger, or steamed veggies over rice, what I didn’t know then was the importance of balance...
Facebook Twitter Pinterest I get it. You see the words “easy crossiant dough,” and think what? I promise, this is easy. It’s fun. And, it will make you happy to tackle something you think you can’t do....
Island Salmon with Roasted Strawberry Mango Salsa It’s sum-, sum-, summertime and strawberry season is here! Brimming baskets of fresh, vibrant red strawberries are at my green market and stacked at the grocery store. My question...
GAZPACHO: AN IDEAL MEAL ON A HOT SUMMER NIGHT When the thermometer lands in the high-80s and I feel the heat and humidity against my neck, the last place I want to be standing is at the stove. This is when I look for easy, fast make ahead...
CRISPY, CRUNCHY RAINBOW SLAW PANCAKES Have you tried Rainbow Slaw? I recently became acquainted with this wonderful bright blend of matchstick pieces of broccoli, carrots alongside thinly sliced pieces of purple and white cabbage. Similar to...
SWEET CORN, BACON AND SHITAKE MUSHROOM TART On the cob with sweet butter dripping off the sides, steamed, sautéed, grilled, roasted; at barbecues, at street fairs and at the county fair – it’s that time of summer that...