Appetizers + Hor d’oeuvres

A true American classic, synonymous with potato chips and Sunday afternoon football games. French onion dip, also known as “California Dip” or “Lipton California Dip” is a well-known, extremely basic dip made primarily with sour cream and minced onions (what’s not to love).  Typically served with chips (the less fancy, the better), this is all […]

These yummy little homemade soft pretzel bites were something I created for my older son.  He LOVES pretzels, soft pretzels in particular.  I can’t blame him really, I do as well and I have since I was a kid.  A salted pretzel from a NYC hotdog cart in the city is still a special thing. […]

Politics aside, Washington, D.C. is an incredible place for many reasons. If you have never been, it is a must-see city for young and old.  I have been to D.C. many times over the years but more recently I went with my boys and it was even more amazing seeing it through their eyes.  Our […]

Fruit platters are a common go-to option for any gathering.  Like crudités platters, I make them often when I entertain.  Fruit is a great healthy option for guests, especially during holiday time, plus it helps add a splash of color to any table.  People tend to shy away from fruit arrangements a bit more in the […]

Entertaining this weekend? This bacon-wrapped date recipe is a quick and super easy one to make for guests.  If you are a bacon lover and have not had this simple sweet and salty combination, you are missing out.  The addition of rich local honey and a sprinkling of Sriracha salt add more complexity to the […]

I recently traveled to Alaska, a first for me and my family.  The sometimes-overlooked 49th state, or the last frontier, proved to be as remarkable as my late uncle always said it was.  Spectacularly beautiful with towering mountain ridges that disappear into the clouds.  Glassy water, towering glaciers, lush rolling landscapes that appear to be […]

A crudité is a traditional French appetizer and an important part of entertainment if you ask me.  If they are made right, they can be a great focal point, adding vibrant colors as well as offering a healthy food choice option for guests of all ages.  I am a big vegetable eater generally, but I […]

Everyone should know how to make a great cheese board.  I love cheese, I always have and I always will.  It is my guilty pleasure.  To this day, I will order it over dessert in a heartbeat.  What can I say: we are who we are.  My older son is the same.  Even without trying, […]

Fave bean puree is a clean, earthy, and truly delicious summertime treat. Fava beans are simply underutilized in my opinion.  I adore favas, but due to their need for both shelling and peeling, they can be a labor of love.  Fava beans, also known as broad beans or horse beans, are packed with protein and […]

I recently traveled to the Southwest, the Arizona desert to be exact.  For only a few short days I was celebrating two very different, yet wonderful things: a milestone birthday of a parent and 26 years of friendship with a remarkable group of women, #solidsix. It was an emotional trip, to say the least, filled […]

Quail eggs have long been considered a delicacy in many parts of the world including Asia, Europe, and North America.  Surprisingly, in other countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, a hard-boiled quail egg is not unusual or considered exotic.  In those countries, quail eggs can even be seen as garnish on a hot dog. […]