Red velvet cupcakes (or cakes) are traditionally red, crimson, or scarlet-colored colored cakes, with fluffy white ermine icing. And aside from my classic coconut layer cake, red velvet has become a recent obsession of my older son. The deep red hue of this popular flavor is visually striking and immediately draws attention. For my kid, […]

Crispy tofu with Napa cabbage slaw is a tried and true family favorite. Dredging the tofu in cornmeal and cornstarch, before lightly pan frying, creates a crunchy exterior with a soft, pillowy texture inside. This is not my recipe, it’s from Cook’s Illustrated magazine. I have adapted this recipe a little over the years, but […]

Almond butter buckeye balls are one of my latest obsessions. Buckeye balls are a beloved American confection that is easy to make and sure to please just about anyone. These delectable bite-sized balls have been around forever, but are typically made with a combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar, which creates a creamy, […]

For as much as I love fruit, I have never loved grapefruit.  I’ve always wanted to, but it’s been a struggle.  When I was a little kid I thought that eating a halved, sectioned grapefruit, lightly sprinkled with sugar and topped with a maraschino cherry served with breakfast was considered an elegant side.  I never […]

Although I am not a die-hard chocolate fanatic, many I know are. This recipe is for them. Chocolate can make many wonderful things, pudding is one of them. Chocolate pudding was a childhood treat that sometimes appeared in my school lunch box. But the kind I ate was not the homemade kind, it came in […]

Truffled quail eggs have been a favorite of mine for many years. If you’ve been to a dinner party I’ve hosted, chances are you’ve had them. These flavorful, mini, deviled eggs, make phenomenal hors d’oeuvre at just about any gathering no matter what the occasion. What Are Quail Eggs? Quail eggs are, rather obviously, the […]

Not all cakes are created equal or considered beautiful, by modern-day standards. The fallen chocolate cake is the most well-known of all the “ugly” cakes. Despite that, I still find it remarkably intoxicating. The cake’s cracks are inviting and its uneven top is a curiosity. What lurks beneath that delicate sugary top layer is a […]

This halibut crudo is a fusion dish I developed inspired by my love for Japanese sashimi. “Crudo” is the Italian word for “raw,” and refers to a dish of uncooked fish, shellfish, (or sometimes meat) that is seasoned and dressed with an oil, some type of citrus juice, or, at times, a vinaigrette. Despite what […]

The saying chicken soup is good for the soul is one I’ve always loved. What’s funny about that phrase is that when you Google it what pops up the most in the search is Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, two motivational speakers who, in 1993, had the simple idea that people could help each other by […]

I can’t deny it, chocolate is a wonderful thing. And many of us crave rich chocolatey desserts or, at times, an eye-catching, cream cheese frosted red velvet cake. But the beauty and simplicity of a lemon pound cake can be just as wonderful. This lemon sour cream pound cake is one of my all-time favorite things. […]

One-pot vegetarian chili is the perfect comfort meal to make, eat, and repeat all winter long. This simple dish is hearty, flavorful, and wholesome, and it could not be easier to make. Perhaps the best part, this chili recipe is loaded with plant-based protein, from red kidney beans and black beans, so you won’t even […]

Garlic ramen noodles are a side dish that should be in your recipe rotation all year long. Fast, flavorful, and only a few simple ingredients are required. I keep instant ramen noodles in my pantry at all times for my cabbage salad, which is a family favorite. Those same noodles, minus the seasoning packets, are […]

I am all about a soft pillowy cookie, so it is no surprise that I had to make (and can’t seem to stop making), these frosted sugar cookie bars. With a dense, yet incredibly soft center and a fluffy whipped frosting, these bars are truly addictive. I decorated these bars to the max with pink […]

Butter chicken, also known as “murgh makhana”, is the most searched Indian dish on the internet. And I get it. Like chicken Tikka Masala, butter chicken is considered one of the most popular, cross-continental Indian dishes throughout the world, even in places you would least expect it. This is not surprising at all. Tender, golden […]

These beauties are my coconut dulce de leche cocadas and they are outrageously delicious. Cocadas are a traditional coconut candy or confectionery typically found in Latin America, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela as well as other areas in South America. If you are a coconut lover like I am, these are a must-make. Similar […]