Making homemade ricotta cheese is a rewarding and surprisingly easy endeavor. Cheese-making at home allows you to indulge in the pure pleasure of creating your own creamy, fresh cheese. And the best part, it’s ready in under an hour. Ricotta, which means “recooked” in Italian, is a soft and luscious cheese that has been enjoyed […]

Mandel bread, also known as Mandelbrot, is a traditional twice-baked Jewish cookie similar to biscotti. Like biscotti, Mandel bread is crunchy, however, it’s made with more fat than biscotti, so the resulting cookie is a bit richer and less dry. These cookies were popular throughout the 19th century among Eastern European Jews, often consumed by […]

I adore tomato salads of any kind and make them often when tomatoes are in season. If the tomatoes are farm fresh, the flavor is so intoxicating, that very little even needs to be added flavor-wise to make a great side dish to just about any entrée. But toss some beans in and you turn […]

Inspired by my plum cake, this sweet cherry snacking cake is tender with a light crumb. And the best part, it’s also gluten-free. This simple cake features slightly sweet-slightly tart fresh summer cherries and makes the perfect sweet treat anytime. Enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee or on a warm summer evening with […]

Have you heard of mezcal?  Mezcal was predicted to be one of the biggest food trends of 2018, yet despite its popularity, many still have not tried it.  Mezcal, which means “oven-cooked agave“, is known for its distinct smoky flavor, which is unlike any other spirit, but mezcal is much more than just that.  Often […]

In India, “chaat” is a word describing a category of food that hits almost every component that makes something crave-able—sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, and crunchy. Chaat is commonly a snack but is satisfying enough to take the place of lunch or dinner. This well-known street food can be served hot or cold and is typically […]

You know what they say about ice cream; “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream“. This tagline phase is cross-generational, eliciting childhood memories of hot summer days and that sought-after cone or a scoop of ice cream that helped keep the heat at bay. That memorable line is actually from a popular […]

Many people love soups but find them difficult and often time-consuming to make. But I’ve got you covered– blender soups are the answer. Here is an incredibly easy and flavorful chilled corn and basil soup and it is perfect for summer. No-cook, chilled blender soups are so effortless to make, it almost feels like cheating. […]

This beauty is a rosé wine slushy, a social media darling known more playfully as a “Frosé“. This fun, prep-ahead wine cocktail is made by blending and freezing fresh fruit, rosé wine, and sweetener and is an absolute winner. These refreshing grown-up slushies come together in minutes and are perfect for warm summer days. There […]

When it comes to whipping up a delicious, hassle-free meal, shrimp cakes are the way to go. So if you’re hosting a casual summer gathering or simply looking for a quick and satisfying weekday dinner option, these flavorful shrimp cakes are sure to impress just about anyone. Shrimp cakes offer a stress-free culinary adventure for […]

Sundays are a time for cake in Germany. Many Germans enjoy cake with their afternoon coffee on this day. Although Germans drink coffee during the work week, typically in the late afternoon, Sundays are different. Sundays are a day of rest and even mowing your lawn is forbidden on this day. According to Ladenöffnungszeitengesetz (the […]

When it comes to hosting summer gatherings, this sweet pea and ricotta crostini is a versatile and elegant choice. This delectable appetizer combines the rustic charm of crostini with the vibrant flavors of sweet peas and creamy ricotta cheese. Embrace the summer season and the abundance of healthful vegetables and fruits that come along with […]

A cream pie, of any kind, is a variation of an old-fashioned custard pie. But to me, a banana cream pie is a culinary work of art.  It is a magical combination of creamy vanilla custard, bananas, and whipped cream all layered together. This dreamy filling is set in an irresistible coconut graham cracker crumble […]

Most who read my blog already know I’m a cookie fanatic. These matcha-coconut tea cookies are my latest and when I say make, eat, and repeat, I’m not kidding around. These soft, pillowy matcha cookies are truly unforgettable. Matcha Matcha has been a traditional drink in Japan for over 800 years and used in tea […]

A shredded Brussels sprout and feta frittata may seem fancy and complicated, but the truth is, it’s not. It’s also the perfect dish for mom if breakfast in bed is on the menu for Mother’s Day. For those unfamiliar, a frittata is an Italian open-faced omelet, often made in a cast iron pan, featuring a […]