Kiwi Grapefruit Sorbet
Kiwi Grapefruit Sorbet – made with water, sugar, honey, grapefruit juice, kiwi, grapefruit zest, and vodka for a refreshingly tart and sweet summer treat. As pretty much every great story begins, I found myself wandering the aisles of the grocery store without a plan, just letting the colorful produce inspire me. That’s when I noticed […]
Smoky Pork Spare Ribs
Smoky Pork Spare Ribs – made with pork spare ribs, toasted spices, chipotle, smoked paprika, beer, and a tangy homemade BBQ sauce for a tender, smoky, flavorful dish. Growing up, ribs always meant summer gatherings in our backyard with the smell of charcoal filling the air. My dad would spend hours manning the grill, while […]
Loaded BBQ Chicken Pizza
Loaded BBQ Chicken Pizza – made with pizza dough, BBQ sauce, mozzarella cheese, cooked chicken, bell peppers, red onion, pecorino romano, and finished with cilantro and scallions for a mouthwatering homemade pizza. I have to admit, this Loaded BBQ Chicken Pizza isn’t just a recipe – it’s a love story. My love affair with this […]
Blueberry Rhubarb Pie: A Tale of Two Tries
Blueberry Rhubarb Pie – made with rhubarb, blueberries, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a flaky pie crust for a perfect balance of tart and sweet. Growing up, pies were never really my thing. Cookies? Yes. Brownies? Definitely. But pie? It always seemed intimidating—like something reserved for grandmas and experts with rolling pins. So […]
Photo Roundup: Family Time in SF
Breaking news: I got a new camera! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! And it arrived just in time for the San Francisco portion of last week’s visit from my sister (Lashaan), her son (Eliot) and baby daddy (Don). The picture above was the first one ever taken on my new camera, starring two of my favorite people. 🙂 We started […]
Pan Seared Cod with Rainbow Chard
Pan Seared Cod with Rainbow Chard – made with cod fillets, rainbow chard, garlic, red pepper flakes, marcona almonds, red wine vinegar, lemon, and parsley for a simple, vibrant meal. When I think of this recipe, I can’t help but picture that whirlwind afternoon when my friend and her toddler came over for a “let’s […]
Strawberry Rose Water Fizz
Strawberry Rose Water Fizz – made with strawberries, water, sugar, rose water, lemon zest, and sparkling water or champagne for a refreshing drink. This recipe takes me back to a sunny spring evening when my husband, Josh, and I were exploring the tucked-away corners of a local strip mall in search of dinner. It wasn’t […]
San Diego Photo Roundup
Last weekend we packed up ourselves and the pug for a much needed trip down to San Diego. We started driving early. Caesar enjoys the stops with grass the best. We met my mom for a late lunch at Counterpoint in Golden Hill. Wine and cheese were in order. As were pumpkin soup and a […]
Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread
Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread – made with semisweet chocolate, cocoa powder, flour, overripe bananas, Greek yogurt, shredded coconut, and turbinado sugar for a lightly sweet and indulgent loaf. I don’t know about you, but this recipe was born out of sheer necessity for comfort. It was one of those weeks… an endless war between my […]
Butterscotch Cookies
Butterscotch Cookies – made with brown butter, dark brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, eggs, and a sprinkle of fleur de sel for the perfect sweet and salty bite. I’ve always believed that cookies are more than just desserts; they’re tiny edible memories. The first time I made Butterscotch Cookies, I had just moved to a […]
Mexican Breakfast Hash
Mexican Breakfast Hash – made with red potatoes, pork chorizo, garlic, serrano pepper, eggs, scallions, cilantro, and queso fresco for a hearty, flavorful brunch favorite. For as long as I can remember, brunch has been my ultimate happy place. There’s just something magical about rolling out of bed, grabbing a cup of strong coffee, and […]
Bacon Jam Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Sometimes you make something once and know that you’ll never try any other version of it; it’s just too perfect to stray from. Ina Garten’s chicken stock comes to mind. Sure I’ve made variations on it, but this is my base recipe for chicken stock. I’ve seen plenty of chicken stock recipes that look/sound great, […]
Roasted Fennel, Garlic & White Bean Crostini
Roasted Fennel, Garlic & White Bean Crostini – made with garlic, fennel, white beans, rosemary, lemon, olive oil, and a baguette for a savory and elegant appetizer. This recipe instantly transports me back to a cocktail party I hosted one memorable weekend. I wanted something that looked fancy but didn’t make me want to pull […]
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie – made with ground beef, leeks, onions, carrots, celery, red wine, beef stock, mashed potatoes, parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate comfort meal. There’s a story my grandmother used to tell me about shepherd’s pie, although in our family, it was more about using up leftovers from the farm. Growing up, […]
Lemon-Mint Cake with Lemon Syrup
Lemon-Mint Cake with Lemon Syrup – made with eggs, sugar, flour, mint, vegetable oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest for a refreshing and tangy dessert. The very first time I baked this Lemon-Mint Cake, I remember the kitchen filling up with the most delightful citrusy aroma, like a burst of sunshine in the house. It […]
Mom’s Lemony Caesar Salad
Mom’s Lemony Caesar Salad – made with sourdough bread, thyme, red pepper flakes, olive oil, egg, garlic, anchovy fillets, lemon juice, romaine lettuce, and parmesan cheese for a tangy, garlicky classic. When I think about Mom’s Lemony Caesar Salad, I’m instantly transported to the dinners of my childhood. This wasn’t just any salad—it was *the* […]
Croque Madame & Photo Roundup: Valentine’s Day
If there had to be a theme to my Valentine’s Day, I think it would be “making food for Josh that he absolutely loves and I never make for some reason.” A close runner up would be “delicious.” This man’s favorite breakfast, brunch, and lunch is a croque madame. I know this not because he’s […]
Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Soup with Lemon Ginger Cream
Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Soup with Lemon Ginger Cream – made with carrots, parsnips, olive oil, thyme, vegetable broth, and a tangy lemon ginger cream for a cozy, aromatic bowl of comfort. Growing up, soup always held a special place in my family’s kitchen. It was the ultimate “fix anything” meal – soothe a cold, […]
Maple Stout Cupcakes with Candied Cayenne Bacon (aka Mancakes)
Maple Stout Cupcakes with Candied Cayenne Bacon – made with stout beer, maple syrup, sour cream, espresso powder, cream cheese, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper for a bold, sweet, and smoky dessert. Valentine’s Day has always been a quiet, low-key holiday for my husband and me. Back in high school, when we started dating, the […]
Photo Roundup: Super Bowl 46
I guess there was a football game happening on our TV screen, but we were more focused on: Ok, so I cheated on my health kick a little. The fittest chick I know said it was ok! It’s a holiday – totally doesn’t count.  The menu: Loaded Baked Potato Bar with Chili Con Carne, and all […]