I recently learned that potatoes originated in South America and that although they were brought over to Europe in the early 1500s, it actually took a few hundred years for people to get over their apparent distrust of this strange new food. Fascinating. Fast forward to current times, potatoes, in any form, are considered a […]

Sometimes you just need something different. Meet different. It’s called a Mezcal smash and this beauty is a lightly adapted cocktail from Half Baked Harvests’ Black Widow Smash. Like Tieghan said (and I agree) fresh blackberries muddled with herbs, citrus, and mezcal are the perfect cocktail for Halloween and all the many cool nights before […]

Not all salads are created equal. Some are complex, with many competing flavors and others are simple and subtle. In the salad world, both are needed. This is a simple one; a lovely butter lettuce and watercress salad with a creamy walnut dressing. Now don’t misunderstand me, by “simple” I don’t mean boring, I mean […]

Some recipes you just need in your life, this is one of those. If you are a chocolate lover, keep reading. This rich, decadent double chocolate banana bread is something I’ve recently become obsessed with. This recipe is not mine, it’s from a food blog called Just So Tasty. I have only lightly adapted the […]

This is a lovely recipe from Ian Garten’s Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That? cookboo that I have been making for years. My husband first introduced me to this effortless shrimp dish years ago after having it at a friend’s house. Now, it’s considered a staple in my weekday meal repertoire. Ina Garten is a well-known […]

Sometimes you just need something that’s uncomplicated. This is that. But don’t get me wrong, there is no sacrifice to flavor just because it’s simple. This gin + grapefruit cocktail is simple and straightforward in method, but vibrant and memorable in taste. Absent of any soda, this pint-size beverage is fruity and spicy with just […]

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 […]

People don’t typically invite former professional chefs over to dinner. I’m serious. That sounds funny, I know, but it’s true. I have other chef friends who say the same. Honestly, it’s a thing. Truthfully, people should know that chefs make excellent guests because they eat everything and are extremely appreciative of not having to cook […]

Mozzarella is an Italian curd cheese made from water buffalo milk, not to be confused with North American buffalo or bison. The Italian Mediterranean buffalo breed was believed to have been introduced to Italy during the Roman times. Because Italian water buffalo are herded in just a few countries (mainly Italy and Bulgaria), most mozzarella you eat […]

These chocolate-raspberry walnut rugelach are by far one of my favorite cookies. Within the history of Jewish foods that have traveled across continents, there are many examples of flavor changes and other adaptations, rugelach is one of them. What is Rugelach? Rugelach, pronounced “ROO-gəl-əkh“, for those unfamiliar, are crescent-shaped, yeast dough pastries with a variety of fillings […]

An elixir by definition is “a magical or medicinal potion“. I’ve always loved that word. When used in this juice recipe, it implies healing powers. In some ways, that’s true. This superfood juice elixir is as healthy as you can get in the juice world, thanks to the superfoods it’s made with. But, what are […]

A stunning Aperol Cosmopolitan that’s perfect for sipping. I must confess, sometimes I love a good cosmo. But the key with making a great one is using good quality ingredients. In this case, good vodka and actual Contreau, seriously, don’t skimp it makes a difference. This drink highlights the alcohol, so you need the quality to be […]

An arepa is an iconic South American food with over 75 distinct forms and preparations. According to The Columbian Academy of Gastronomy, “arepas are part of (their) cultural heritage and can be considered a symbol of national gastronomic unity”. Arepas are flat, round, unleavened patties made from maize meal or maize flour that can be […]

A friend of mine nicknamed these cookies the $10 cookie, honestly, he may be on to something. These are my rich, decadent, giant brown chocolate chip cookies and I am truly obsessed with them. In this recipe I went “giant” because I love cookies and let’s face it, one little bite-size cookie just doesn’t get […]

Despite my boys being back in school, technically, it’s still summer. This has always been a strange thing for me to accept. In New York, school started after Labor Day.  Even after so many years living on the West Coast, that still seems “normal“. With August winding to a close, Northern California is still seeing […]