Making homemade ricotta cheese is a rewarding and surprisingly easy endeavor. Cheese-making at home allows you to indulge in the pure pleasure of creating your own creamy, fresh cheese. And the best part, it’s ready in under an hour. Ricotta, which means “recooked” in Italian, is a soft and luscious cheese that has been enjoyed […]

When it comes to hosting summer gatherings, this sweet pea and ricotta crostini is a versatile and elegant choice. This delectable appetizer combines the rustic charm of crostini with the vibrant flavors of sweet peas and creamy ricotta cheese. Embrace the summer season and the abundance of healthful vegetables and fruits that come along with […]

Truffled quail eggs have been a favorite of mine for many years. If you’ve been to a dinner party I’ve hosted, chances are you’ve had them. These flavorful, mini, deviled eggs, make phenomenal hors d’oeuvre at just about any gathering no matter what the occasion. What Are Quail Eggs? Quail eggs are, rather obviously, the […]

This is my latest and greatest obsession; savory shredded potato waffles topped with sour cream, smoked salmon, and scallions. As if breakfast could not get any better, or truthfully, more effortless. I’m talking, crispy, buttery potatoes, made in minutes in a standard waffle maker, garnished like a baked potato, with sour cream and green onion, […]

Baba ganoush is a levantine dip of mashed broiled eggplants, blended with tahini, olive oil, and seasoning, and it’s a dip I love making in warmer months. There’s lots of speculation about the origin of baba ganoush, but this iconic dip (or a similar version of it) has likely been around, for over 1,000 years. […]

Ms. Wood, that was the name of my boys’ first grade teacher. Ms. Wood was the quintessential elementary school teacher; kind, patient and incredibly warm. Ms. Wood was also fun. Looking back, I can tell you my first grade teacher was not nearly as wonderful as Ms. Wood, I think my boys truly lucked out. […]

There are several things that I loved about Denmark; the people, the casual lifestyle, the beautiful architecture and of course the food. Copenhagen itself was a city I had heard so much about and it undoubtedly did not disappoint. For one week, a couple years ago, my family and I immersed ourselves in all that […]

Fresh tomato salsa is a favorite condiment of mine and one I’ve been making a ton lately. This often overlooked side dip is easy, flavorful and incredibly adaptable. Salsa is a simple combination of chilies, tomatoes and other spices that has been around for centuries. Food historians can trace a form of salsa back to the […]

A Special Note: With COVID-19 slowly closing in on my Northern California area, I’ve been too distracted to write or post these days. But today, with my boys home from school, the reality of this pandemic is truly settling in. Cancelations of life events makes me feel like a giant “pause” button has been pressed on our […]

The Super Bowl is almost here, be ready people. A day of true indulgence, with dips, sandwiches, wings, guacamole, and so much more. My best advise, for the most anticipated game of the year, do whatever it takes to keep your whole squad satisfied, even if the big game happens to go south. And in case […]

A Hungarian snacking tray or “hidegtál” (as its called in Hungary), is cold plate similar to an Italian antipasti plate. A hidegtál can consist of whatever is in your pantry or whatever the chef feels like adding. A snacking tray is, for the most part, a charcuterie board, cheese board and vegetable board all in one. With small bites […]

Mozzarella is an Italian curd cheese made from water buffalo milk, not to be confused with North American buffalo or bison. The Italian Mediterranean buffalo breed was believed to have been introduced to Italy during the Roman times. Because Italian water buffalo are herded in just a few countries (mainly Italy and Bulgaria), most mozzarella you eat […]

Halloumi (or haloumi), is often associated with the Greek island of Cyprus, and is a semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk and sometimes cow’s milk. Halloumi cheese, often referred to as a “grilling or frying cheese” due to its high melting point allowing it to be easily fried […]

I am a huge fan of guacamole.  If you have been to my house, chances are, I’ve probably made you some. I make it often. Year-round in fact, not just on Cinco de Mayo. I will search high and low in winter months to find a delicious, perfectly ripe avocado. Thankfully, living in California, I […]

Traditional Easter foods consist of baked meats (typically ham), various sweet breads and chocolate of all varieties. This can likely be attributed to the Lenten season, the 40 days prior to Easter when observant Christians often try to avoid indulgences. But for many Eastern European countries, such as the Ukraine, a staple Easter food is perogies, also known […]