As I get organized for my son’s Star Wars themed birthday party, I realize how much I enjoy creating such a special event to celebrate another year of his life and to see that adorable smile on his face when he understands all the effort that was put into his special day. Spending quality time…
Recipes
Blood Orange Sidecar Cocktail
Move over Mint Juleps! This refreshing cocktail could be the star at your next derby party or summer outdoor gathering. I’ve fallen in love with sidecar cocktails and have had them at several different places, each one capturing my attention in a different way. I tried one on a cruise ship once that had Hennessy,…
BLT Caesar Salad with Garlic Croissant Croutons
Have you ever noticed that almost every restaurant has their own version of a Caesar salad on their menu? Why is that? It is probably the most universal type of salad that satisfies all pallet ranges. It is safe and you know what to expect when you order it. Some chefs grill their lettuce to give…
Honey Garlic Chicken
1, 2 , 3,…..Go! That is what my mind tells me when the annoying sounds of the morning alarm goes off and my eyes quickly pop open. I usually snooze my brain, squeezing in every last second before I actually put my feet on the ground. How does 6am come around so quickly?! It seems…
Frozen Yogurt Fruit Hearts
Ice cream, ice cream, we all scream for ice cream… until the scale starts screaming at us to stop! Whether you have already given up on your new year’s resolution and are looking for any excuse to have a cheat day, want an alternative to a belt busting treat or are looking for something easy…
Roasted Tomatoes with Smoked Olive Oil, Thyme and Garlic
If I have the time to walk the whole farmers market in Haile on Saturday morning, I always end up chatting with Katrine Dunn at Saporito. We usually talk about food, my blog, her store and all the products that she sells, which I now have quite a collection. You cannot help but to be…
Cherry Almond Cold Brew Coffee
So what is this whole “cold brew coffee” buzz about? Have you noticed the sky high prices of this stuff located in the milk isle of your grocery store? It sparked my interest to take on the challenge of experimenting with this at home. I am a big time coffee lover, in fact my body…
Kale Pecan Pesto
When I am having an exceptionally busy week, I look for something quick and healthy to throw together for dinner so I can feed my boys, help them with their homework, bathe them and get them to bed at a decent hour before I can relax and unwind. Well that’s not entirely true… I am…
Pancetta, Fig and Gorgonzola Grilled Flatbread with Arugula Tossed in Truffle Oil
A butcher shop in Gainesville?! I think I am in heaven. My love for cured, smoked and cooked meats has me ecstatic about this new gem that just opened this past weekend. There was no question that I would attend the grand opening of the new butcher shop downtown called Fehrenbacher’s Artisan Sausages. I absolutely…
Caramelized Banana Nut Brioche French Toast
What is food to me? I have had people tell me that my face lights up when I talk about food. I instantly smile and get excited no matter what mood I am in. Even if I have had a challenging day, I can start talking about food and my mind wanders into my own…
Sausage and Chickpea Stew with Leeks, Mushrooms and Kale
It is the beginning of a new year and people are starting to get back into their normal routines, setting goals for the upcoming year and trying to survive the cold winter temperatures, especially for us Floridians. Cold temperatures make me think of making smores over an outdoor fire, a hearty chili or the taste…
Bacon, Goat Cheese, Strawberry, Arugula and Caramelized Onion Sandwich
Besides my two boys peeling my eyes open with their fingers requesting breakfast or the remote to the tv, there are only two things that will get me out of bed in the morning on a Saturday or Sunday. The aromatic smell of freshly brewed coffee or the smoky deliciousness of bacon rendering in its…
Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata
For those that celebrate Hanukkah, they know that I am a few days early to be gathering for the holiday. This week I wasn’t able to make the Saturday farmers market because I was hosting a Hanukkah holiday brunch at my home with family and friends. Us Jewbans have to continue family holiday traditions to…
Mixed Greens with Roasted Beets, Goat Cheese, Pistachios and Orange Vinagrette
The holiday season is here. People are in the spirit of giving, celebrating and definitely eating. I’m always trying to create holiday menus that are on the lighter side to not only accommodate my palate, but also to those that do not know how to portion size and stuff themselves so much that they have…
Shrimp Scampi and Parmesan Grits
Are you stuffed from all the thanksgiving turkey you ate over the holiday? I’m ready to move forward and not look back at the self-induced poultry coma that had us all laid out on the couch making weird moaning sounds. Something fresh, healthy and easy to make. Something that would be a perfect weeknight meal…
Calabaza Pumpkin Coconut Soup
Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo and Cuban Mom Approved! Do not look any further, because this dish can accommodate just about anyone’s palate and diet. Since everyone is now menu planning for their thanksgiving feast, I thought to create a recipe that would be good to serve around the holidays. I was approached by a friend the…
Blackberry Bourbon BBQ Pork Ribs
We are so lucky to have so many local farming resources in our area. Lola farms in particular, takes pride in raising their animals in a natural environment without GMO’s, antiobiotics or growth enhancement drugs. So when the owner of Lola Farms approached me about using some of her pork for a post on the…
Bacon, Rainbow Swiss Chard and Sweet Potato Hash
I had invited some friends and family over for brunch this morning, as I always have guests on Sundays to come gather and eat with us. It is sort of a tradition that I created a few years ago and the boys and I really enjoy the menu planning and cooking part of it. I…