Recipes

Note: “By posting this recipe, I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Walnuts and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.” Here is a new summer smoothie I can’t get enough of these days. This is my strawberry-plum walnut smoothie, and it is outrageously delicious. […]

Summer and jam just go together.  Strawberry rhubarb jam is number one on my list of jam favorites.  To clarify, jams, jellies, marmalades, and conserves are all somewhat similar. They all are a mixture of fruit and sugar and share the basic preparation of crushing ripe fruit to release its juice, adding sugar and heating the […]

Sweet cherries are here and they are irresistible. These summer cherry shortbread bars are a must-make if you are a cookie/bar lover like I am. Effortless in preparation, these bars bake up in no time and feel like the perfect cross between a cookie and a pie. The best part, they are not nearly as […]

This simple recipe has a story to it. This seared tuna salad is a dish I ate almost nightly when I managed a restaurant in NYC years ago. It was my go-to meal of choice, not only because I’m a big tuna fan, but because it is incredibly easy (and fast) to make. Most importantly, […]

This stunning Pavlova with mixed berries is my new favorite summer dessert. And, if you are in the States, and feeling patriotic, it happens to be a fantastic dessert for the fourth of July. To be honest, many people don’t know what a Pavlova is as it’s often found in all sorts of different shapes […]

This beauty is called a Paper Plain. Chances are, you’ve never heard of this cocktail before. This is a pandemic favorite of my husband. And It is not lost on me that this drink has “plane” in the title, something we haven’t been able to step foot on in some time. Life can be ironic […]

If you’re a fan of Greek food, you’ve likely heard of or tried spanakopita in some form before. But what exactly is it? Spanakopita is just spinach pie. But this simple, savory pastry dish has existed within Greek cuisine for centuries. Spanakopita is a super versatile dish. You can make it with just about anything. […]

Two things that can make a cake remarkable are olive oil and polenta. Olive oil is used to make cakes moist and deepen the flavor profile. Like olive oil, polenta can also be added for texture as well as flavor. Although polenta and cornmeal are both golden in color and used interchangeably, there is a […]

I’m still obsessed with Din Tai Fung’s cucumber salad, but this cucumber and kohlrabi salad is a new favorite. Simple, healthy, flavorful, and best part, effortless. There is nothing all that fancy about this salad, but kohlrabi, a much less talked about vegetable, with its sweet, yet slightly peppery flavor is the true star here. […]

This post is for my youngest who loves crêpes. Honestly, I can’t blame him, a crêpe, when made from scratch, is AMAZING! I prefer crêpes to pancakes, but my son is an equal fan of both, especially if Nutella is involved. I can’t remember exactly when I first gave my son a crêpe, but the […]

I have a complicated relationship with chocolate. I can both love and hate it, depending on the situation. Sounds insane, I know, but it’s the truth. While I love both the idea and flavor of chocolate indulgence, too much chocolate is a thing. The die-hard chocolate lovers out there may be rolling their eyes reading […]

Starbucks petite vanilla bean scones will forever have a special place in my heart. Both my boys LOVED these scones when they were little. A treat they would sometimes get when we were out walking or for bribery when flu shots were needed. Scones came to the rescue in all sorts of wonderful ways throughout […]

It sure feels like summer takes forever to arrive. The tease of spring can be overwhelming. But then, one day, before you know it, it’s in full force. The sun is bright, the trees lush and the air is warm and encompassing. For me, summer brings a sense of calmness. Life is slower, easier, and […]

The Last Word is a cocktail, but I’m willing to bet you’ve probably never heard of it. I must admit, I love the name and I think it’s an appropriate cocktail to celebrate Mother’s Day. Truthfully speaking, as a mom, I don’t always get the last word in, but I strive for it. Although The […]

There are several things that I love 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 of years ago, my family and I immersed ourselves in all […]