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 […]

This is one of the busiest weeks of the year.  And this is one of the easiest meal options I know.  This takes only minutes to cook.  This time of year, especially with the holiday prep, who does not need an easy meal option?  If you like shrimp, keep reading.  I am a shrimp lover […]

This is a cranberry-orange whisky sour and it’s a great specialty cocktail for holiday parties.  A whisky sour is a classic bourbon drink that is subtly sweet and sour at the same time.  If you ask a bartender, a traditional whisky sour is one of the simplest cocktails that you can get that is still called a […]

Peppermint bark, as it’s called, is almost non-existent during the year, until Christmas time when it is everywhere.  I don’t typically like the commercially made verities, but when you find an artisanal one, it can be fantastic.  Peppermint bark is a rich chocolate confection, it’s not something you eat a large amount of; the peppermint […]

Politics aside, Washington, D.C. is an incredible place for many reasons. If you have never been, it is a must-see city for young and old.  I have been to D.C. many times over the years but more recently I went with my boys and it was even more amazing seeing it through their eyes.  Our […]

My older son is a potato addict.  I can’t blame him really, I was the same as a kid. Potatoes are delicious: baked, whipped, pureed, mashed, fried, or shredded.  Seriously, any way works for him.  I don’t eat them as much anymore, so when I do, they need to be worth it. Potato latkes are […]

Where has mulled wine been all my life?  This is a brilliant solution to a cold winter day and is perfect for the holiday season.  Despite my late introduction to mulled wine, this hot fruity beverage has been around since before the 8th century.  In the 1800’s, a holiday drink similar to mulled wine gained […]

So many people I know say they hate baking or they can’t bake, or they simply are not patient enough to bake.  I get it.  But come holiday time, even those who don’t typically bake find themselves baking especially cookies.  I have fond memories of spending countless hours frosting and decorating sugar cookies.  Although I […]

Lentils and rice go together perfectly in my eyes.  I could honestly eat lentils daily, but I don’t think that would fly with my family.  The lentils I’m referring to here are French lentils, a classic variety in the culinary world.  They are greenish-brown, petite, earthy, and delicious—and that’s how I feel about them before […]

Minestrone is considered one of the cornerstones of Italian cuisine.  Historically, minestrone was a humble soup, made primarily from leftovers with the addition of whatever vegetables were available, often with the addition of pasta.  This soup was inexpensive, easy to make, filling, and could feed large groups.  It was a soup intended for every day […]