I love blondies. There, I’ve said it. Blondies are awesome and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m blonde. Similar to a cookie, but softer and even more irresistible, if it’s a really good one. Trust me, these blondies are really good ones and have proven that tinkering in the kitchen can sometimes lead […]
Vegetable stir-fry is one of the easiest vegetable side dishes out there. By mixing different vegetable flavors and textures, you undoubtedly get a more interesting side dish. What I also love about a good vegetable stir-fry is that almost any vegetable can work, so it is super easy to adapt to the likes and dislikes of […]
Smooth and refined deliciousness. The Sazerac, credited as being one of the first true cocktails, is a New Orleans take on a traditional rye cocktail. The Federation puts a further spin on the Sazerac. The combination of Anejo tequila instead of rye mixed with creme de cacao leads to a sweeter, richer, cocktail with a […]
Pasta is an incredible thing. I love that there are a million ways to make the same type of pasta taste quite different. And if I am being honest, I could eat pasta every day. I could live in Italy and eat homemade pasta for every meal. But neither of those options is reasonable. When […]
Have you ever had Lillet? If the answer is no, you’ve been missing out. Pronounced “li’ leh,” it is a French aperitif created in 1887 by Paul and Raymon Lillet from Podensac, just outside of the Bordeaux region in France. Lillet, considered a “tonic wine” (or quinquina), is a blend of 85% Bordeaux region wines and […]
Let’s talk about chickpeas and how awesome they are. My older son eats them straight up, a habit he picked up from me. Also called garbanzo beans, these babies are not only delicious, they are packed with protein and vitamins. Although most people think of them as a vegetable, chickpeas are a legume with a slightly […]
Happy New Year! As much as I love and welcome the festive holiday season, I am always ready for January 1. First of all, the holidays are exhausting. Secondly, despite my best efforts, chances are I have indulged a bit more than anticipated. In fairness, we all have–and that’s ok. With the New Year comes […]
I do enjoy a good muffin now again, but I’m picky. I like a muffin to have great flavor, be moist, not too sweet, relatively healthy, and memorable. That’s a lot to expect from a muffin. With this in mind, I decided to create a muffin using one of my favorite cereals, muesli. Bob Red […]
Who said hot chocolate is only for kids? I don’t think so. Also called hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, this warm sweet, beverage is synonymous with winter, holidays, skiing, skating, and sledding. I’m from the East Coast, and I went to college in Wisconsin. Hot chocolate was a quintessential go-to beverage in sub-zero temperatures. Even […]
Oh my goodness: hushpuppies are a delicious, new comfort food discovery for me. Honestly, if you are averse to frying anything, stop reading right now and maybe go look at a healthier dish I make, like my kale salad. Hushpuppies are not healthy, nor can I even begin to put that spin on them. They […]
In Britain, December 26th is Boxing Day, a national holiday, that celebrates the traditional post-Christmas servant’s day off. Sausage rolls or Boxing Day rolls as they are often called, are a traditional dish served during this holiday celebration. In the past, this day was one of the only days when upper-class families had to survive […]
It appears I just can’t get enough of these guys. I think I am drawn to Brussels sprouts because of their strong flavor and the ease of roasting them in the oven. They are a go-to for me during holiday time. I love a great roasted vegetable; I prefer them that way. I was playing […]
Eggnog is something people love or hate, there’s no in-between. In its traditional form, eggnog is a rich, creamy, sweet, often very caloric holiday drink that can be served either hot or cold, enjoyed straight-up or spiked with rum, whisky, or Kahlua, and typically served with whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg on top. […]
People always ask me if I watch cooking shows, and whether I would ever want to go on a show. The answers are, respectively, “sometimes” and “never.” There are a ton of interesting cooking shows out there. I’m not opposed to them. But the truth is that I can’t always relate to them. My kids […]
Traditional biscotti, also known as “Cantucci or Cantucci di Prato”, are Italian almond biscuits, or cookies. The English translation means “twice-baked”. The name is not meant to be clever: you bake this well-known Italian favorite twice. A double bake allows you to get the lovely golden hue and crispy texture that goes so well with […]
Welcome to my blog Simmer + Sauce. I always thought I was going to be a lawyer, but going to culinary school was one of the best decisions I ever made. I’m a former professional chef from NYC who loves to eat, cook and talk about food. My focus is great food, with solid recipes and reasonable ingredient lists. Cooking should be enjoyable, not stressful. Many of my recipes are family friendly and often on the healthy(ish) side.