My husband wanted a good BBQ brisket but we don’t have a smoker. I told him to try making a brisket without it. He looked at me perplexed. I told him I had read about it a few times before, but never tried it and that he should. He dismissed it. I sent him a […]

Summer is upon us, and with it comes the desire for refreshing treats to beat the heat. Look no further than the delightful simplicity of a berry icebox cake. This easy-to-assemble, no-bake wonder is a dream dessert for those sunny days when turning on the oven seems like an unbearable task. I’ve blogged about icebox […]

I can’t lie, I LOVE piña coladas, especially when I’m parked on a tropical beach somewhere totally amazing. But if I’m not lounging oceanside, I happen to have a great, guilt-free alternative I like to whip up now and again, and truthfully, it’s just as refreshing. Let’s call it like it is, calorie-wise, a traditional […]

Golden-brown, crispy fried coconut shrimp served with a chili garlic sauce is a culinary masterpiece born from the inventive minds of coastal kitchens and delivers a symphony of flavors and textures with each bite. This delightful dish, with roots likely tracing back to the vibrant shores of Southeast Asia, boasts a perfect marriage of succulent […]

Indulge in a slice of sunshine with the iconic key lime pie, a dessert that awakens the taste buds with its zesty flavor and smooth, velvety texture. This beloved dessert has captured hearts and palates worldwide for decades and is a favorite of my husband, which is why I’m blogging about it. It’s also the […]

Pork is “the other white meat”, or so it’s been called. In 1987 the U.S. National Pork Board began an aggressive advertising campaign to help position pork as a white meat alternative since it was commonly getting overlooked by consumers. The campaign was paid for using a checkoff (tax) collected from the initial sale of […]

In the heart of the Austrian Alps, a culinary masterpiece was born – the Kaiserchmarren. Legend has it that this fluffy and indulgent pancake dish was first created for Emperor Franz Joseph I in the late 19th century. The name “Kaiser” itself pays homage to the imperial connection, as “Kaiser” translates to “emperor” in German. […]

This is a favorite of mine. A tres leches cake, also known as a “three-milk cake”, is a dense, moist cake made with three types of milk and topped with a generous whipped cream topping.  The unusual aspect of this cake is that after baking it is poked with numerous holes and then soaked for […]

If you’re a brownie fan, keep reading, these outrageous chocolate mochi brownies may just be the dessert of your dreams. Mochi brownies are a delightful fusion of traditional brownies and Japanese mochi. Made with mochiko, (glutinous rice flour), which gives these brownies a slightly chewy feel, in addition to an unexpected bounce and lightness, that […]

If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious brunch option, look no further than this effortless spinach and feta frittata. A frittata, for those unfamiliar, is an Italian-style dish that falls somewhere between an omelet and a quiche. While an omelet is typically folded over its fillings and cooked quickly, and a quiche features a […]

Elevate your cocktail experience with the exquisite saketini, a harmonious blend of Japanese tradition and modern mixology. This cocktail features sake as its star and is a unique twist on the classic martini. I fell in love with the vast variety of sakes when traveling in Japan last summer. The best advice I got from […]

Scallops – those tender, succulent jewels of the sea – are a delicacy cherished by seafood enthusiasts worldwide. Here is a classic pan-seared scallop with lemon caper sauce that all scallop lovers should have in their repertoire. But before we delve into this recipe, what exactly are scallops, and why are they such a coveted […]

Lemon mousse is a fresh and easy dessert that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with a light, airy texture that’s incredibly pleasing. This, my friends, is the perfect, prep-ahead dessert for springtime. By definition, a mousse is a soft, sweet or savory, prepared food that incorporates air bubbles to create its distinct silky mouth […]

In the realm of celebratory sweets, few treats can match the sheer joy of celebration blondies. These delightful bars, adorned with golden vanilla Oreos and a sprinkle of colorful edible “confetti“, are a testament to the simple pleasures that make life sweeter. They’re not just for birthdays – they’re for any occasion that calls for […]

Indulge in the savory delight of crispy salmon cakes – an effortless dish that’s both versatile and pleasing, even to many who claim they are “non-fish eaters“.  Whether crafted from fresh or frozen Atlantic salmon, these cakes are a testament to convenience and flavor. Perfect for busy schedules, they can be prepared in advance and […]