Sometimes I enjoy drinking my breakfast.  Smoothies make that possible.  This one is made with staples we always have on hand.  The beauty of smoothies is that you can add, subtract, or substitute ingredients to suit your tastes.  In the end, you have a delicious meal that you can lazily sip or take on the…

This decadent sandwich is perfect for a weeknight dinner when paired with a crisp salad.  While I usually serve this as a meatless meal, thinly sliced Italian cured meats such as salami, pepperoni, or capicola would be delicious additions and would certainly satisfy the carnivores in your life.   4 ciabatta rolls Roasted Tomato &…

My husband an I both love giardiniera.  For a quick and easy salad, I love to mix it in with heartier greens, some freshly grated Parmesan, and a vibrant vinaigrette that compliments the pickled vegetables.  This salad pairs nicely with Panini or pizza.   8 cups mixed greens, such as baby kale, romaine, and baby…

Brunswick Stew is a southern classic embroiled in a long-standing debate: Did it originate in Brunswick, Virginia, or Brunswick, Georgia? I don’t really care.  Regardless of where it’s from, it’s good! I was first introduced to this stew during a family visit to Colonial Williamsburg, where I enjoyed it at Shield’s Tavern.  It was a…

This weekend, we had some friend over to celebrate the gorgeous spring weather.  I wanted to serve a cocktail befitting spring, so I created this little number.  It utilizes several of my favorite libations: Prosecco, Chambord, and Grand Marnier.  It’s light, refreshing, and oh so tasty.   1/2 oz Grand Marnier 1 oz Chambord Prosecco,…

Last weekend, we enjoyed a rarely cold spring day here in Florida.  I have always enjoyed early spring weather—days in which there is still a chill in the air, but the hints of green popping up all around promise warmth to come.  Ingredients are fresher, but one still craves stick-to-your-bones comfort food.  Such days require…

Most Americans go nuts for Saint Patrick’s Day.  I do not.  I’m not Irish.  I’m not Catholic.  And I don’t need an excuse to drink.  The only way I really acknowledge Saint Patrick’s Day is by wearing orange and forcing my husband and child to do the same.  But this post isn’t about Saint Patrick’s…

I LOVE cornbread.  If I ate as much of it as I’d like, I’d resemble Jaba the Hut.  My husband, on the other hand, is indifferent (what’s wrong with him?!).  But when I serve it with this sweet, slightly spicy butter mixture, he goes crazy for it.  The combination is so decadent, you could have…

This is a light, refreshing dressing that is perfect for spring.  It hardly has any ingredients and pairs nicely with dark greens such as spinach or baby kale.  Add a little freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese to the greens for a lovely salty addition.   1/4 cup freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice 1/3 cup…

Blueberry and lemon is a classic combination, as is blueberry and orange.  A Meyer lemon, which is a hybrid of a lemon and mandarin orange, combines the flavors of the two citrus fruits.  Naturally, it pairs beautifully with berries. While plain old blueberry pancakes have always been a personal favorite, I’ve found that adding this citrus…