When I think about summertime foods, potato salad tops the list.  I adore it, especially my mum’s, which is simply boiled red potatoes that have been peeled and tossed in mayonnaise, garnished with chopped celery, onion, and green olives, and seasoned with table salt.  Eating this concoction always takes me home.  While this particular potato…

On my 21st birthday, my parents took me to a lovely Italian restaurant in the Carytown neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia, called Amici Ristorante.  They were so excited to be there when I ordered my first legal alcoholic beverage.  When put on the spot, I had no idea what to get, so my dad suggested a…

Margaritas are one of the most popular cocktails for a reason: THEY ARE REALLY FREAKING GOOD!  There are plenty of fantastic mixes on the market, but everything is better when made fresh.  As it happens, this cocktail is really easy to make.  Here is my foolproof recipe.   6 oz tequila 4 oz freshly squeezed…

I love artichokes.  I love spinach.  I love dip.  I love this recipe.   1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and the liquid squeezed out 1 (12 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 12 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp lemon…

  This take on an Old Fashioned is inspired by a recent visit to Walt Disney World.  My husband does not enjoy the Disney experience—he endures it because our son and I love it.  But he does like their cocktails, especially this one, which was discovered while dining at the Yacht Club Resort.  The substitution…

When it comes to biscuits, I am obnoxiously picky.  They need to be buttery, flakey, and stacked with tender pull-apart layers.  There are lots of amazing biscuit recipes out there—I know because I’ve spent the better part of two years trying many of them.  While they yielded delicious results, I was never quite satisfied…that is,…

The flavor of cane syrup falls somewhere between molasses and caramel, and is a staple in many a southerner’s pantry.  It is delightful when used in baked goods, or drizzled over pancakes, but it’s heavenly when combined with butter, especially if it’s spread on a warm biscuit.   1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room…

Valentines Day.  It’s my least favorite holiday—probably because I’ve had so many that were disappointments (pre-husband, of course).  But now that I’m a wife and mommy, it’s become more palatable because I can make it special for my little boy and husband.  This year, I decided to start the day on a festive note with…

Now that we’re parents, my husband and I don’t go out to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  Instead, I prepare a fancy dinner at home, which always includes a specialty cocktail.  This year, having a grapefruit on hand, I decided to make a drink featuring its tart juice.  Thyme pairs well with citrus, so I infused simple…

Recently, I hosted a wine and cheese tasting at my house for a mom’s group that my friend, Danielle, and I created.  It was our first get-together.  Everyone brought their favorite wine to share and a cheese to taste.  Sadly, I didn’t get any pictures—I was too busy laughing, eating, and drinking—but I wanted to…