The holiday season is the perfect time to revisit timeless confections, and gelées, known as pâte de fruits in French, are a delightful choice. These candies have a rich history, originating in France during the Middle Ages when skilled confectioners sought ways to preserve the vibrant flavors of ripe fruit beyond their season. Traditionally made […]

Few desserts can claim the same warm, nostalgic embrace as sticky toffee pudding (also known as sticky date pudding), a British classic that’s as rich in history as it is in flavor. This indulgent dessert is a harmony of moist sponge cake, sweetened with finely chopped dates, drenched in a luxurious toffee sauce, and often […]

Pan-seared garlic butter lamb chops exemplify simple, rustic beauty in the culinary world. This dish is a perfect blend of ease and flavor, making it an ideal choice for casual weeknight dinners as well as elegant special occasions. Julia Child believed in letting quality ingredients shine, and nothing highlights the beauty of uncomplicated cooking like […]

Pumpkin pie bars are a delightful twist on the classic Thanksgiving dessert, offering all the beloved flavors of pumpkin pie with the ease and simplicity of a bar. These treats feature a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust topped with a creamy, spiced pumpkin filling, making them a perfect go-to for holiday gatherings, especially for those who […]

Ah, fall! It is the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced everything, and, of course, hearty yet elegant dishes that capture the essence of the harvest. Enter the showstopper: roasted butternut squash with creamy goat cheese, juicy pomegranate seeds, and a delicate drizzle of champagne vinaigrette. This simple yet sophisticated dish is about to be your […]

If you’re a chocolate lover, you know there’s nothing quite like sinking your fork into a piece of rich, moist chocolate cake. But what if you could have all that indulgence without the fuss of a multi-layer cake? Enter my double chocolate buttermilk cake — a one-layer wonder that’s easy to make, deeply chocolatey, and […]

There’s something profoundly comforting about a dish that marries simplicity with indulgence, and cheesy baked gnocchi perfectly encapsulates this sentiment. Gnocchi, those delightful Italian potato dumplings, have a knack for transforming even the most ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences. Originating from Northern Italy, gnocchi has been a staple in Italian cuisine for centuries, loved for […]

Apple cobbler is a timeless American dessert that captures the essence of fall with its warm, comforting flavors. This rustic classic originated in the early American colonies, where settlers adapted their traditional suet (boiled or steamed) puddings to the ingredients available in the New World. By the 19th century, apple cobbler had become a staple […]

Experience a fusion of flavors with tofu chile crisp rice, a modern twist on the classic comfort dish, fried rice. With roots dating back over a thousand years in China, fried rice has become a beloved global staple known for its versatility and easy, delicious appeal. Inspired by my younger son, a fried rice enthusiast, […]

While I have a deep appreciation for the classics, I’m always on the hunt for something fresh and exciting. Take the Figa cocktail, for example. Food & Wine magazine noted that it claimed the top spot on the menu at the iconic Clyde Common restaurant in Portland’s retro Ace Hotel. Holding such a prime position […]

Joanna Gaines is a beloved figure in the world of home design and hospitality. As the co-founder of Magnolia and the star of Fixer Upper, she’s known for her impeccable taste, creativity, and heartwarming approach to life. But beyond her design talents, Joanna is also a passionate cook and baker. Truthfully, I knew very little […]

If your idea of a perfect dinner involves a little spice, a lot of flavor, and a dash of elegance, then Lobster Fra Diavolo is about to be your new obsession. This dish brings the heat—literally—with a spicy tomato sauce that wraps itself around tender lobster like a fiery hug. This spicy dish has a […]

Dive into the delightful world of crunchy sweetness with chocolate chip pecan cookie bark, a treat that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. Cookie bark, sometimes called cookie brittle, is a fusion of the classic chocolate chip cookie and brittle candy. Numerous brands out there have cleverly mass-marketed bark and brittle, and […]

This beauty is a chickpea flatbread, known more traditionally as a “socca” (in France) or “farinata” (in Italy).  Translated to English, these are savory, tender, unleavened pancakes made from chickpea flour, water, and olive oil. Extremely popular in Mediterranean cuisine, these chickpea flatbreads are easy to whip up, and topping-wise, they are limitless allowing your culinary creativity […]

Onigiri, also known as “omusubi” or “nigirimeshi“,  is a quintessential Japanese snack, that merges tradition with innovation in a delectable rice ball. Onigiri, or rice balls, date back to the Heian period (794-1185), cherished for their convenience and versatility. Typically filled with savory ingredients and wrapped in nori (seaweed), onigiri has been a staple of […]