While life is far from “normal” it continues. With that, I mean, fall and pumpkin season is now in full swing. I’ll be honest, COVID holidays look very different than normal holidays once did. I don’t know about you, but crowds now terrify me. Gatherings of any kind immediately put one on edge. And while […]

I bet you had no idea I’m part German. I used to think that’s where my love of apple strudel came from. But truth be told, strudel is not actually German. This iconic pastry is most often associated with Austrian cuisine and can be traced all the way back to the 17th century. The first […]

Homemade buttermilk biscuits are a true weakness of mine. But biscuits, I’ve learned, are an incredibly personal thing. Those who love them, have strong options, and I totally get that. Historically, biscuits were considered a delicacy and so revered, in the pre-Civil War South, that they were typically reserved only for Sunday night dinners. To […]

Muesli is a cereal I fell in love with when I traveled to Iceland a few years ago. Iceland is truly an amazing place and I enjoyed everything I did while traveling there. And I loved the special homemade foods. Nutty whole grain goodness was seen throughout Iceland in breads and cereals, with subtle yet […]

My love of apricot is no secret. Nor is it a surprise (at least for those that know me) that at 47, I still don’t consider myself a morning person. Not at all, but I’ve accepted it. With kids, this can be challenging. This is a recipe for apricot-almond breakfast bars that I created for […]

These babies are malasadas, also known as Hawaiian donuts, and they are divine. Balls of dough that are deep-fried in oil and rolled in granulated sugar, much like a donut, but minus the hole. Malasadas, best served warm, can be found at many roadside stands and local bakeries as well as on fine dinning menus […]

Sufganiyot, also known as, Israeli jelly donuts or “Hanukkah donuts” are deep-fried jelly donuts that are traditionally eaten in Israel during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Here the oil used to fry the donuts, like a traditional latke, are reminiscent of the oil that miraculously burned— according to the Hanukkah story—in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Filled […]

I love living in California, but I will always consider myself a New Yorker at heart.  Why I’m Still A New Yorker I talk fast. Relaxing is challenging for me. 90% of things in my closet (clothing, shoes, and handbags) are black. Good restaurant service can make or break a restaurant experience for me. I […]

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know I am a big fan of overnight oats. Easy, healthy and extremely adaptable.  My older son and husband now love almost any combination I make. These are a collection of some of my favorite overnight oat bowls I’ve made and loved. Sometimes I post recipes exclusively […]

I’ve always loved scones, or at least as long as I can remember. I think my love of them stems from the fact that they are often not overly sweet. Typically made with fruit, these simple pastries also go well with a great cup of coffee. And I do love my coffee. Scones are actually […]

The world is a better place because of donuts. Seriously, it’s true. Donuts make people happy, myself included. Birthdays mornings in my house are celebrated with donuts, it’s just something we’ve always done. At 13 and 11, we still have not stopped. I posted a recipe for baked cinnamon sugar donuts last year, I thought […]

My eleven-year-old taught me how to make homemade corn tortillas and they were outstanding. My son appreciates good food, he always has actually, with the exception of sweet potatoes. As a baby, he loved most flavors and textures. By age five it was clear I had a fish and vegetable lover on my hands and […]

I love muffins. Muffins and scones actually, they are the perfect accompaniment to morning coffee. But I’m picky, with muffins especially. With muffins, I prefer a standard-sized one, not the super-sized caloric bomb ones that make you feel like you’re eating three muffins in one sitting. I want my muffins soft, moist, flavorful and bursting […]

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve always wanted to be British. Well, in fairness, I’ve always wanted to be British, French and Korean to be exact. The traditional English crumpet is something I have always loved. As a very young kid I remember whenever my mom made me an English muffin for breakfast, […]

15 year-old Lily Riccio is my featured Changemaker this month. This high school sophomore is doing her part to help shatter barriers and bring down glass ceilings across industries. Lily launched her digital platform, Power of Girl, in April of 2017.  It is an inspirational website that she developed to empower young women. Power of […]