This is a perfect Buddha bowl to me. I mean seriously, what’s not to love about flavorful, crispy beef and lentils?  Truth be told, I can’t claim credit for this incredibly wonderful bowl, but I had to share it, because I absolutely adore it. This recipe is lightly adapted from a new cookbook called, Flavors of […]

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. Ms. Wood […]

Its original name in Italian is minestra maritata, which translates to “wedding soup”. But some say a more appropriate name would be, “wedded broths”—as in leafy green vegetables (minestra) blended with meat (maritata). The marriage in this soup isn’t referring to the marriage between two people like many believe, but rather to the dish’s nuanced flavors between […]

Pound cake is a wonderful thing and if you ask me, it’s not made often enough. So, here’s my ultimate favorite; a ricotta pound cake, that bakes up perfectly and is moist and buttery as can be. The origins of pound cake lie in Northern Europe and date back to the early 18th century.  The name itself, […]

This cabbage and kale slaw is all about simple flavors I love, and can’t get enough of. Sadly, despite its run of fame, kale still gets a bit of a bad rap. But to be frank, I think that has to do with two things in particular: (1) cleaning it and (2) good flavor balance. […]

Are you a carb counter? No judgment if you are, I know many. While I don’t classify myself as one, I have certainly become much more aware of carbs over the years. I still believe in having it all in moderation, and with that comes choices. And I can’t lie, I like pasta. But not […]

Chocolate lovers, brace yourself, this chocolate macaroon cake is outrageously delicious and not all that hard to make. This is not my recipe, but the first time I made it I knew it was a keeper and one I must share. This cake is part of BA’s Best, a collection of their essential recipes and […]

Is called a Tommy Gun cocktail. This recipe is a slightly adapted version of San Francisco Mixologist Jacques Bezuindenhout’s brilliant signature creation which I’ve long admired. In my version, this sour, which references the iconic firearm wielded by Prohibition-era gangsters, gets its zing from a little ginger liquor, and a punch from a generous pour of […]

Meet my latest obsession; Danish raspberry slices, or “Hindbærsnitter”, in Danish. Best described as, an unassuming little square of jammy goodness. Raspberry slices are an incredibly popular treat in Denmark that can be found in almost every bakery shop in the country. It’s funny, despite their popularity, and the many snack breaks we took, for the life […]

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca and I go way back; to culinary school, to be exact. Without getting into too many details, let me just say it involved cooking for the school’s restaurant, an all-nighter (to which I blame, my now husband), and the last-minute suggestion he made for me to run this flavorful classic as a lunch […]

In case it’s not clear from the title, yes, this is a giant glazed donut cake. Seriously, I almost don’t need to say anymore. This Bundt cake is outrageously good and if you are a donut fan, think no more, skip this post, and just begin making it right now. The History of Old Fashioned […]

Pasta e fagioli is one of the most famous dishes in the entire Italian repertoire. This well-known rustic soup is a nourishing dish that falls somewhere between soup and pasta. Pasta e fagioli is a traditional meal with a rich history and is incredibly worthy of making at home if you’ve not done so before. […]

This Ruby cocktail is a drink made with many things I adore. I am also rather intrigued by it. While learning about it, I found several foods and drink websites that claim this “fruit-centric drink”, which is at times referred to simply as a “Ruby”, is made with vodka, Aperol, Saint Germain liqueur, ruby grapefruit, […]

What Is Osso Buco? Osso buco (also written osobuco, ossobucco, osso bucco), is perhaps the most famous Italian dish there is. The phrase itself, in Milan’s dialect, means “bone with a hole”, and is a fitting name for a dish that stars a succulent piece of meat—typically a shank—with a bone in the center. The rich […]

You can’t avert your eyes and you know it. It’s a Biscoff mascarpone icebox cake and it is killer. This beauty is the easy, prep-ahead holiday dessert you’ve been looking for. Building an icebox cake is not difficult, the trick is chilling the cake untouched. Overnight, magic happens. The cream will soften the cookie layers […]