For class, we would often do culinary summaries of various regions around the U.S. I enjoyed learning about various individuals who made significant contributions in the evolution of Californian cuisine. It is a huge, wonderfully productive state, famous for their fusion, fresh and locally farmed foods in addition to their international success in the wine [...]

If you know Aunt Vicki—or are my extended family— then you know exactly what cheese ball I am talking about.
We grew up with this appetizer at holiday after holiday party. Christmas primarily. It was its own icon; Aunt Vicki would show up looking splendid, out dressing us all (some have it, some don’t…. she does), [...]

The holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without cocktails. And it had been awhile since I flirted with flavors and mixed up new concoctions. And to be fair, this one isn’t exactly new. Think of it as upgraded for the new year.
We were fortunate enough to spend some time with great friends over the break: friends [...]

I am a huge advocate of getting my children to try new foods. What I mean to say is, I believe our palates evolve (or so I tell my kids). When I was a kid I wasn’t a big fan of tomatoes and avocados (to name 2 of at least 300), but now I adore [...]

I love good soups. When a good soup meets my lips and warms my throat down to my belly, even my toes get a wiggle.
This is a perfect time of year for soups; and for using my favorite kitchen tool: an immersion blender. You don’t need one for this soup, of course, but if you [...]

Kids love it: it tastes like meat candy. They also love it because if they help me make it, they get to measure and pour and add a pinch of this and a glugg of that. Anything that feels like a science experiment, eh?
I love to make it because it is easy and can be [...]